News Reader.info

Following Freddie Mercury’s untimely death in November 1991, the three remaining members of Queen wanted to honour their friend and frontman in the best way possible. So in April 1992, The

Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness took place. Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon performed alongside a whole host of rock stars in the Queen singer’s memory.

The first half saw bands inspired by Queen perform from Metallica to Guns N’ Roses.

While the second half saw the band themselves play Queen hits with help from others.

And the man who had the honour of being the first person to sing with Queen since Freddie’s death was Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott.

The singer opened the second half of the charity gig with Queen and Slash, performing Tie Your Mother Down.

READ MORE: Queen album is basis of Game of Thrones Cersei arc says BIZARRE theory

And in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, he revealed he didn’t realised he had had that honour until someone told him years later.

“Some American TV show did a documentary about Bohemian Rhapsody the movie and also about Adam Lambert taking over.

“And the guy interviewing me said something that’s pretty obviously never ever occurred to me.”

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You

can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Elliott continued: “He said, ‘Do you realise you were the first person to sing with Queen after Freddie Mercury passed away?’

“Of course, they hadn’t played together since Fred died and I did Tie Your Mother Down.

“I mean, wow, it is an honour but just as a historical footnote; it’s a great quiz question!Pub quiz here we come, y’know.”

DON'T MISS...Brian May praises Bryan Adams for 'DIFFICULT' Freddie Mercury cover [POST]Freddie Mercury UNSEEN photos in new Queen tour book [BOOK]Freddie Mercury: Queen voted GREATEST Live

Act of All Time [POLL]

Elliott, who is great friends with Brian May, revealed how Def Leppard got involved with The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.

He said: “Basically when Roger [Taylor] announced they were going to put this concert together I got a call from Brian the next day.”

May said: “I take it you’ve heard, I want you in. We both want you in.

Elliott said how he didn’t even have to contact the rest of Def Leppard because of course, they’d do it.

The band performed Now I’m Here with May, as well as Animal and Let’s Get Rocked in the first half.

Before Elliott had the honour of being the first person to sing with Queen since Freddie’s death.

Def Leppard: London to Vegas is out now and the different formats are available here.

See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.