Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Step inside Queen’s legendary 1975 A Night at the Opera tour with this incredible piece of rock history. Freddie Mercury’s stage-used tambourine.
Sourced from the personal collection of Peter Hince, Queen’s longtime head roadie, this isn’t just any instrument. Freddie used tambourines during the opening of “Liar,” before tossing them offstage mid-performance. A moment of pure showmanship.
What makes this one truly special is the rare red tape wrapped around the grip.
That detail wasn’t just aesthetic. Hince modified the tambourine by adding foam beneath the tape, allowing Freddie to strike it against his leg with force without injury or damaging his iconic stage outfits. While most tambourines on the tour featured black tape, this red variation is exceptionally rare. It can even be seen in photos from Queen’s Hammersmith Odeon performance in November 1975.
With its original “New Era” label, aged foam grip, and battle-worn jingles, this tambourine tells a story of performance, practicality, and Freddie’s unmistakable flair on stage.
Explore more from The Peter Hince Collection: bit.ly/peterhince_queencollection
#FreddieMercury #Queen #RockHistory #MusicMemorabilia #BohemianRhapsody
Step inside Queen’s legendary 1975 A Night at the Opera tour with this incredible piece of rock history. Freddie Mercury’s stage-used tambourine.
Sourced from the personal collection of Peter Hince, Queen’s longtime head roadie, this isn’t just any instrument. Freddie used tambourines during the opening of “Liar,” before tossing them offstage mid-performance. A moment of pure showmanship.
What makes this one truly special is the rare red tape wrapped around the grip.
That detail wasn’t just aesthetic. Hince modified the tambourine by adding foam beneath the tape, allowing Freddie to strike it against his leg with force without injury or damaging his iconic stage outfits. While most tambourines on the tour featured black tape, this red variation is exceptionally rare. It can even be seen in photos from Queen’s Hammersmith Odeon performance in November 1975.
With its original “New Era” label, aged foam grip, and battle-worn jingles, this tambourine tells a story of performance, practicality, and Freddie’s unmistakable flair on stage.
Explore more from The Peter Hince Collection: bit.ly/peterhince_queencollection
#FreddieMercury #Queen #RockHistory #MusicMemorabilia #BohemianRhapsody
