Although there is no official video of Queen’s performance of “Imagine” in 1980, the uploader on YouTube created a video using footage from a concert in Montreal in 1981 to commemorate the tribute. It’s important to note that the video is not real but is instead an imaginative tribute to the band’s performance.
On the night of December 8, 1980, the music world was stunned by the news of John Lennon’s tragic death. The former Beatles member was shot and killed outside his New York City apartment, leaving fans and fellow musicians in mourning. The following night, Queen paid tribute to Lennon during their concert at Wembley Stadium in London with a performance of his iconic song, “Imagine.”
The audio of Queen’s tribute can be found on the bootleg 2-CD “Perfume Came Naturally from Wembley,” recorded by an audience member on December 8, 1980, with “Imagine” added from the December 9th performance. Due to the five-hour time difference between London and New York, Queen didn’t hear about Lennon’s death until the next morning.
The video features Queen’s performance of “Imagine” overlaid with footage from their Montreal concert, which took place a year later. The uploader also added extra shouting sounds to match the length of the video. While the video is not a genuine recording of Queen’s tribute to Lennon, it serves as a touching tribute to the legendary musician’s legacy and the impact he had on his peers in the music industry.
Queen’s tribute to John Lennon on December 9, 1980, is a testament to the profound impact that the former Beatles had on the music world. “Imagine” has become an iconic song that has been covered by countless artists over the years, and Queen’s tribute is just one example of how Lennon’s music continues to inspire and move people even decades after his untimely death.