WE WILL ROCK YOU

By Rick Sky and Martin Phillips

THE show went on for tragic Freddie Mercury last night — a stunning tribute that set the whole world rocking.

More than a billion fans in 70 countries tuned into Wembley’s fantastic concert for AIDS victim Freddie.

And the line-up of superstars turned the show — which sold out in three hours — into a triumphant celebration of the Queen leader’s life and music.

The rock spectacular — the biggest since Live Aid — opened at 6pm with a video of Bohemian Rhapsody, which reached No 1 again at Christmas following his death in November.

Then the three remaining members of the band — Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon — walked on stage.

To roars and cheers from the 72,000 fans, guitarist May said: “Thank you for coming. We’re going to make this a great show.”

“This is all about Freddie. Let’s give him the biggest send-off in history.”

Then Roger Taylor added: “Today is for Freddie; for you and for me. AIDS affects us all, that’s what those red ribbons are for. You can cry as much as you like.”

And John Deacon said: “Remember, the show must go on.”

Then the cream of the rock world launched into their spectacular two ball rave moments than $5 million for AIDS charities — just as Freddie pledged he would do on his death bed.

Duet

Pop’s biggest names remembered some of Queen’s greatest hits backed by May, Taylor and Deacon.

Among the outstanding songs of the night were the David Bowie and Annie Lennox duet Under Pressure and Liza Stansfield’s and George Michael’s poignant These Are The Days.

Bowie fell to his knees and prayed after his number. He offered up the Lord’s Prayer for AIDS victims everywhere.

Robert Plant sang Queen’s first American No 1, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and Paul Young rocked the crowd with his version of the smash Radio Ga Ga.

Another high spot was Elton John, one of Mercury’s closest friends, who sang the last song Queen released before his death — The Show Must Go On — and a reprise of Bohemian Rhapsody with Guns N’ Roses star Axl Rose.

Elton told the crowd: “It’s great to be here tonight to pay homage to someone I loved very much.”

Other stars paying homage to flamboyant Mercury included Roger Daltrey, Def Leppard, Seal, Robert Plant and Erasure.

As they performed, the stadium was a swaying and chanting sea of red ribbons — symbol of the fight against AIDS. One had been given to each of the fans who spent up to $60 for a ticket.

AIDS campaigner Lia Taylor, who jetted in from Los Angeles, led the tributes to Freddie. She said to the fans, “We are here to celebrate the life of an extraordinary rock star who rushed across our cultural landscape like a comet shooting across the sky.”

American group Guns N’ Roses stole the first half of the show with a wild set.

Singing Axl Rose — drawn in white shorts, tartan kilt round his waist and a locket with the British flag on it — sang Paradise City and Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door to rapturous applause.

Between acts, there were recordings of Freddie singing and talking about his work.

Brian May played on stage with Extreme. They sang a collection of Queen tunes, including Another One Bites The Dust and Fat-Bottomed Girls.

Live Aid mastermind Bob Geldof appeared on stage and told the audience: “It seems very unlikely but Freddie and I were very good friends.”

Finale

He went on to sing one of the songs in Gaelic, which he wrote with the state.

The show’s finale was one of the most moving in pop history.

Hollywood star Liza Minnelli — Freddie’s greatest idol — led the 98 stars in singing We Are The Champions.

The show had overrun by an hour when they trooped off to a roaring version of God Save The Queen — with Freddie on screen in red ermine robes and a huge crown.

Mercury’s close friend Mary Austin was among VIP guests watching the concert.

Other star names included golden Nick Faldo, actress Barbara Windsor, film director Michael Winner and actress Anita Dobson, girlfriend of Brian May.

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GIFT FOR LIZ

ROCKER Elton John has given Liz Taylor a £100,000 diamond ring… because of her shining example in the fight against AIDS.

After Liz, 60, jetted in to Britain for last night’s Freddie Mercury tribute, Elton invited her to an exclusive party at his Surrey mansion.

And he gave her the ring, which had a cluster of small stones topped by a huge diamond centrepiece. An overwhelmed Liz could only stutter: “That’s nice.”

Elton, 45, steered the actress away from other guests to make his presentation.

A friend said: “He wanted to be alone with her — and the ring was his way of saying thank you for all she had done.

“She was overcome and burst into tears.”