Earlier in that year, Axl Rose had received a lot of criticism for homophobic slurs.
Closer to the date of the Freddie Mercury concert a fan threw a glass bottle on stage at Gun n' Roses concert. Axl threw the bottle back at the crowd injuring a fan. There was a warrant for his arrest.
The duet with Elton John had been arranged and publicized but given Axl's temperament and the legal situation many doubted whether he would actually show up.
The Freddie Mercury concert took place at Wembley Stadium in London.
Paparazzi scoured London hoping to spot Axl before the show. Nobody saw anything.
Some noteworthy comments on YouTube:
20zzxxx1 year ago
Only Freddie Mercury could bring Elton John and Axl Rose together and make it sound good.
Callum Sleet9 months ago
1:46 so sad how Brian looked up at the start of his solo to look at Freddie but he wasn’t there and messed a couple notes up.
Riley Crosskey4 months ago
3:17 The most axl rose thing axl has ever done.