“SCARY and Amazing Moment!” — Annie Lennox Reveals the Behind-the-Scenes Story of Her 1992 Duet ‘Under Pressure’ with David Bowie
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When Annie Lennox stepped on stage at Wembley Stadium in April 1992 to perform “Under Pressure” alongside David Bowie, she wasn’t just singing — she was making history. The performance, part of The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness, remains one of rock’s most unforgettable moments. But as Lennox reveals in her new book, Annie Lennox: Retrospective, the electrifying duet came together in a way that was as “scary” as it was “amazing.”
“I still honestly, genuinely can’t believe that we did this,” Lennox said in a new interview with CBS Mornings’ Anthony Mason.
🎭 One Rehearsal, One Chance
For a performance that would soon become iconic, Lennox and Bowie rehearsed together exactly once.
“We had one rehearsal,” Lennox recalled. “And [David] said to me, ‘What are you wearing?’ just as I was leaving. I hadn’t even thought about it!”
Bowie, ever the visionary, suggested that she reach out to British designer Antony Price for something theatrical. Though hesitant — “He was expensive, and I’d never done anything like that” — Lennox went for it. The result was one of the most memorable looks of her career: a metallic silver top that looked like armor, paired with a flowing black skirt that spread dramatically across the stage.
“I wanted it to look powerful, like a kind of armor,” she explained. “Something that said strength — and a bit of mystery.”
💄 The Makeup That Made History
While her outfit was meticulously designed, the now-famous black eye makeup — a bold stripe across her eyes — was a last-minute decision.
“As I was sitting backstage, doing my own makeup, I thought, ‘I think I know what’s going to finish this off,’” Lennox said. “So I did this kind of Blade Runner-ish band — or maybe the Lone Ranger, depending on how you see it.”
When she walked out on stage, Bowie — who had not seen the look beforehand — was visibly taken aback.
“He kind of did a double take,” Lennox laughed. “Oh, it was just fantastic, honestly.”
⚡ A Moment of Pure Spontaneity
What fans may not know is that one of the performance’s most talked-about moments — when Lennox wrapped her arm around Bowie’s neck and sang face-to-face — wasn’t planned.
“Daring to put my hand around his neck and bring him in — that was a thrill,” she revealed. “We didn’t plan that. It just happened in the moment.”
Lennox described how Bowie, ever the consummate performer, instantly understood her energy.
“I was looking at him out of the corner of my eye, and he just stood there — calm, focused, in control. He knew exactly what to do. He let me move, and it was electric.”
That unplanned intimacy helped turn the duet into one of the most talked-about performances of the night — raw, fearless, and deeply emotional.
“I do a lot of things in a very spontaneous way,” she said with a grin. “I’m so glad it worked. Can you imagine if it hadn’t? A lot of egg on my face!”
🌟 A Legacy of Artistry and Courage
The 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert brought together some of the world’s greatest musicians — from George Michael to Elton John — to honor the late Queen frontman. Yet Lennox’s and Bowie’s “Under Pressure” remains one of the night’s defining highlights, celebrated for its theatrical intensity and emotional authenticity.
“It was scary and amazing all at once,” Lennox said. “Performing with David Bowie, in front of that audience, for Freddie — it was one of those moments you never forget.”
📚 A Life in Art — ‘Retrospective’
Lennox shares these memories and more in her new book, Annie Lennox: Retrospective, a stunning visual memoir featuring over 200 images from her personal and professional archives — from intimate Polaroids to iconic music video stills.
“This book is about the journey,” she said. “All the people, the songs, the moments — the scary ones and the beautiful ones. It’s my life, in pictures.”
Annie Lennox: Retrospective is available now via Rizzoli USA — a must-read for anyone who loves music, courage, and the art of fearless reinvention.
More than 30 years later, Annie Lennox’s duet with David Bowie remains not just a performance, but a powerful testament to the magic of spontaneity, trust, and true artistic connection.
