Freddie Mercury or Michael Jackson - Who had the greater stage presence?

[Takes Two To Tango]

Without a doubt both have incredible stage presence.

 

[ASUThermo]

Mike, only Elvis can rival.

 

[Sweater of AV]

Not taking anything away from Mercury who was amazing, but for stage presence it's MJ. He was on a different level. People just wanted to witness him and be a part of it.

 

[Goon Dog]

MJ rehearsed everything he did to the Nth degree (even the so-called spontaneous kiss on camera with Lisa Marie was rehearsed over and over). Nothing wrong with a performer being a perfectionist, but he got lost when he had to improvise or go with the moment and became incredibly shy. Freddie was a master of flowing with the moment. So polished-wise I'd say MJ, but I preferred Freddie's style.

 

[dittohead84]

Gotta give it to MJ

 

[Busgosu]

I never was at a Queen show during the Mercury era so I can only have an opinion based on what I can see in videos.
However when It comes to Jackson I was lucky enough to have him coming to my hometown during the Dangerous tour in 1992. Granted I was 14 and easily impressed, but until today I have never seen such a spectacle on stage... The Guy flew off in a fucking Jetpack ffs!
As for the performance itself, near flawless. Best vocal performance I've ever seen live was Dio in 03, but Mike is almost up there. Ridiculous talent!

 

[terrapin]

well one was a disgusting child abuser so........ maybe he should just fade into obscurity and be forgotten.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

well one was a disgusting child abuser so........ maybe he should just fade into obscurity and be forgotten.

Was he really? I'm not sure about that. It will be hard for him to fade into obscurity, when you consider how much an impact he had.

 

[Streeter]

To me noone had the stage presence or could work a crowd like Freddy Mercury.

MJ was great but I was never into his music so couldn't appreciate.

 

[Valhoven]

MJ rehearsed everything he did to the Nth degree (even the so-called spontaneous kiss on camera with Lisa Marie was rehearsed over and over). Nothing wrong with a performer being a perfectionist, but he got lost when he had to improvise or go with the moment and became incredibly shy. Freddie was a master of flowing with the moment. So polished-wise I'd say MJ, but I preferred Freddie's style.

Great post.