15 essential Queen live performances

At a show in Budapest in 1986, Queen pulled off one of its most iconic performances of one of its most iconic songs. Mercury walks out onto the stage wearing a Union Jack — and a Hungarian flag — and proceeds to bring the house down. 

Mercury delivers a slightly more subdued performance of this operatic Queen anthem, but it's no less compelling than his more high-octane performance. And Brian May's guitar playing is, as usual, impeccable. 

In 1982, Queen performed a 7-minute-long version of "Somebody to Love" that's packed with tons of Freddie Mercury improvisation — and feats of vocal talent — that make it worth listening to every single second. 

Freddie Mercury kicks off his performance of "Fat Bottomed Girls" in Milton Keynes, England, in 1982, in a true showman's fashion. The harmonies are impeccable, and who can resist watching Mercury play air guitar with his mic stand? 

Mercury introduces "Another One Bites The Dust" at this legendary Wembley Stadium performance by letting the audience know that he "feels a boogie coming on." And boogie he does, all across the stage, in one of Queen's most revered performances of all time. 

At this 1982 show, where the live album "Queen on Fire" was recorded, Freddie Mercury sits down at the piano and delivers a stunning vocal performance while playing the hell out of his characteristic white grand piano — and wearing his characteristic white short-shorts. 

Wearing a Superman tank top, Freddie Mercury demonstrates superhuman performing abilities on "Killer Queen" at this 1981 Montreal performance. And it's perfectly complemented by Brian May and Roger Taylor's instrumentation and harmonies. 

Yet another great showing of Freddie Mercury dancing with his mic stand, his on-stage swagger in this 1985 performance of "Radio Ga-Ga" at Live-Aid is among the greatest live performances in history, in any genre. 

It's a little more fast-paced than the radio version of "Don't Stop Me Now," but this 1979 performance is as good a showcase of every member in Queen's incredible musical skill as any. 

Freddie Mercury donned a drag get-up for this performance of "I Want To Break Free," a homage to the song's groundbreaking and subversive music video. He's decidedly goofier here than in other performances, thanks to the giant fake boobs and tousled wig, but no less impressive. 

Brian May kicks off the performance of "Love of My Life" at Rock in Rio in 1985 with soft, acoustic guitar, and it's nigh impossible to not get chills when the audience begins singing the lyrics in unison. Mercury acts as a conductor from the stage, interspersing the performance with his own vocals, and the result just might bring tears to your eyes. 

Brian May's guitar playing on "You're My Best Friend" is worth watching on its own in this 1977 show at London's Earls Court, but of course, Freddie Mercury's also there, playing the piano with aplomb and singing excellently in usual. 

Dedicated "only to the beautiful people" at this 1985 charity concert, Mercury picks up a yellow Fender Stratocaster for "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," and brings down the house. Vocally, there's a bit of an Elvis vibe, and it's just fun to watch. 

Get ready to rock out to this performance of "Hammer to Fall," from Queen's historic concert at London's Wembley Stadium. The band's firing on all cylinders, from Roger Taylor's drumming to Mercury's vicious stage moves. 

Freddie Mercury looks especially acrobatic in this 1986 performance of "Under Pressure." Unfortunately, the band never performed the song live with collaborator David Bowie, though it was commonly included in their own setlist.