Imagine two of the most electrifying performers in music history sharing the same stage—one, the magnetic frontman of a legendary rock band, known for his theatrical presence and powerful vocals; the other, the King of Pop, whose groundbreaking album became one of the best-selling records of all time. When their worlds collided, the result was more than just a duet—it was a meeting of two musical forces that defined generations.

Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson were two of the biggest stars in music history. Mercury’s powerful voice and dramatic performances made Queen a legend, while Jackson’s Thriller cemented him as the King of Pop.

The idea of these two legends collaborating was enough to excite fans and industry insiders alike. Though they did record together, their sessions never led to a full release during their lifetimes. Mercury’s passing in 1991 and Jackson in 2009 left fans wondering what could have been—a fusion of rock and pop genius that might have changed music forever.

Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson—two of the most legendary voices in music—once came together for a collaboration that had the potential to be groundbreaking. In 1983, the two icons met in Jackson’s home studio to record demos for three songs: There Must Be More to Life Than This, State of Shock, and Victory.

While fans never got to hear these tracks in their fully realized form, pieces of their work eventually surfaced, offering a glimpse into what could have been. Despite their shared creative energy, conflicting schedules kept them from completing the project.

“They were great songs, but the problem was time, as we were both very busy at that period,” Mercury recalled in Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury. Though their original vision for the songs was never fully realized, their work didn’t go unheard.

“When I first played it in my studio, I opened a trove of delights provided by the greatest of musicians,” record producer William Orbit said, according to Rolling Stone. “Hearing Michael Jackson’s vocals was stirring. So vivid, so cool, and poignant, it was like he was in the studio singing live. With Freddie’s vocal solo on the mixing desk, my appreciation for his gift was taken to an even higher level.”