My daughter was working at the AMC Theater when the movie, Bohemian Rhapsody, was released. Because she sometimes had to clean the theater, she caught the ending of the movie more times than she can count.

After seeing the movie, she came home talking about it. My husband, ever eager to reinforce the music war he already won [see: https://avblahg.wordpress.com/2017/04/25/parent-wars/ ], pulled up YouTube videos of Queen. My daughter was shocked to see the synchronized clapping during Queen’s 1985 Live Aid performance of “Radio Ga Ga”. She thought that the movie had surely over dramatized the audience participation. It did not. The whole audience had, indeed, clapped in unison.

Having been raised in dusty old Tucson, Arizona, neither my husband or I even dreamed of attending Live Aid all the way in England. I was just out of high school and I’ll admit I don’t even remember watching Live Aid at the time but my husband has a vivid memory of sitting in front of the television all day as it was simultaneously broadcast around the world. My daughter was actually pissed that we didn’t attend as if we could have afforded it or could have had any idea whatsoever how iconic the event would become. We didn’t experience it in person but Live Aid became a permanent part of our generation’s lore much like Woodstock was to kids of the 60s.

Fast forward to present day. My husband flew back from Nebraska just for the Queen concert for which we bought tickets last November. For more than 9 months we have been excitedly counting down the days. He has been out of town all summer but wasn’t going to miss this for anything.

We were not disappointed. It was the best concert we have ever been to!

The set, lights, and sound were rich and amazing. It was a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. The huge screens played visuals and videos that captured and entertained our attention throughout the show. Lasers, lights, and sparkles reached every corner of the arena. Adam Lambert was an astounding performer and I am a new fan. I had to force myself to peel my eyes away from his mesmerizing stage presence to make sure I bathed in the sensation of appreciating Brian May and Roger Taylor perform in real life.

Every time Brian May sauntered into center stage with his guitar, slung low on his hips, and started a solo, I wanted to cry. My heart rate quickened each time Roger Taylor’s beats took control of the song. They played all the classics including “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Under Pressure”, “We Will Rock You” and a beautiful duet between Brian May and a video Freddie Mercury singing “ Love of My Life”

— and, of course, “Radio Ga Ga”.

The whole audience participated and I can’t describe how beautiful it was to watch my daughter clapping in unison with every single person in the arena.

The torch has been passed.