John Lennon and Freddie Mercury remain two of the most heartbreaking losses in music history. Lennon was silenced in 1980 by an act of violence that shocked the entire world. His death marked the end of an era and left millions mourning a cultural icon whose influence stretched far beyond music. Mercury’s passing in 1991 came after years of battling illness, but unlike Lennon, he went out on his own terms. His final recordings with Queen showed incredible strength and artistry in the face of dea

This is backstage footage of Freddie Mercury warming up his voice with his iconic "Ay-Oh" exercises before Queen's final concert with him at Knebworth in 1986. These intimate clips capture the legendary frontman preparing for his showstopping performance in front of over 120,000 fans, despite reportedly feeling unwell that day. | History In Pictures