An incredible new video has surfaced, offering fans an intimate glimpse of Freddie Mercury just moments before his final concert with Queen. The footage, which was captured backstage at Knebworth Park on August 9, 1986, shows the legendary frontman in peak vocal form, offering a rare and emotional look at one of rock’s most iconic performers.

In this 30-second clip, filmed just minutes before the band took the stage for their last show of the Magic Tour, Freddie Mercury is seen in his dressing room, preparing for the night ahead. Dressed in his now-iconic yellow “Champion” tank top and slim white trousers, Mercury is pacing, exuding a sense of nervous excitement as he gears up for the monumental performance.

As the footage begins, Freddie can be heard speaking to a member of Queen’s production team, asking how much time remains before the band is due on stage. “How long have we got?” he asks, swinging his arms and clapping his hands in a rhythmic warm-up. “Five, five ten minutes?” he confirms, before briefly turning away and pacing in anticipation.

This backstage moment is a rare one, as it marks the last known video of Freddie Mercury in peak vocal health. His voice, at this moment, was a powerful force, untouched by the decline that would soon affect him due to his battle with AIDS. As he sips from a drink offered by an assistant, Freddie warms up his vocal cords, and what follows is nothing short of remarkable. His voice rings out in a stunning acapella rendition of vocal scales, displaying the full range and strength that made him a rock legend.

But the magic doesn’t end there. The clip also features a moment of levity as drummer Roger Taylor makes a surprise appearance in the frame. With a cheeky grin, Freddie engages Taylor in a playful vocal duet. The two exchange notes, with Freddie’s voice effortlessly hitting the high register while Roger, dressed in a black-and-white striped t-shirt and black sunglasses, does his best to keep up. The pair share a laugh when Roger struggles to match Freddie’s pitch, and the scene offers a glimpse of the camaraderie and fun that defined their relationship both on and off the stage.

This newly discovered footage comes shortly after the release of the last-known footage of Queen performing live together at the same Knebworth Park concert. This iconic show, attended by 120,000 fans, was the final time Freddie Mercury would perform with Queen before his untimely death from AIDS-related complications in 1991. It was also the last performance with the band’s classic lineup—Brian May, John Deacon, Roger Taylor, and Freddie Mercury—before Deacon would retire from live performances in the mid-1990s.

The Knebworth concert itself remains a monumental moment in rock history, with the band delivering a set that included their greatest hits: One Vision, Radio Ga Ga, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You, I Want To Break Free, and a stirring rendition of God Save The Queen. This concert was more than just a show; it was a triumphant final chapter for Queen with Freddie at the helm, whose charisma and stage presence were unmatched.

This rare footage reminds us of Freddie Mercury’s extraordinary talent and spirit. It offers fans a precious final glimpse of a true legend, a moment frozen in time just before his final curtain call.