Roger Taylor doesn’t shy away from comparisons between the last two frontman to take the reins for Queen’s Freddie Mercury, saying there’s plenty to set Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert apart.
Of course, Queen is coming off a well-received debut on American soil with Lambert, as part of a huge iHeart Radio music event held in September at Las Vegas. They’ve been working with the Idol runner up since appearing on the program together in 2009.
Previous to that, Queen had a lengthy collaborative relationship with Rodgers, the former Free and Bad Company singer, going back to 2005.
Mercury, who co-founded Queen in 1970 with Taylor, Brian May and John Deacon, died in 1991 after a battle with AIDS.
Queen not only did two major tours with Rodgers, they also issued a benefit single and a studio album called The Cosmos Rocks in 2008. Taylor, speaking to MOJO magazine, confirms that there are no current plans to record with Lambert.
Here’s how Taylor compared and contrasted Queen’s two singers:
“Paul,” the drummer says, “has a perfect blues and soul voice, but our songs are big — and dare I say it, theatrical — and Adam fits that more easily. … Adam is closer to Freddie. Paul was macho, but Adam is a diva. His range is staggering.”
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This is definitely NOT a diss of Paul, it’s just that once you’ve heard Adam sing, most others sound inadequate, at least with Queen’s portfolio. It’s hard to explain, but kind of like when a flight attendant holds up the oxygen mask and says that it may not fully inflate, but keep breathing. With Adam, every note is fully inflated, deep, rounded, complete. Sorry if that doesn’t make sense, but sometimes Adam’s voice is so incredible that I can barely make sense of it. And, I have to add, I love Adam’s joy and sense of humor when he performs. He never seems to take himself too seriously, except the music, and can go from sexy to silly in 5 seconds. He seems to fit in with the Queen band members and let everyone have the spotlight. Okay, I’m done…. none too soon, I’m sure.
Adam Lambert does indeed have the incredible voice and theatrical flair that were always a part of Queen’s music and live shows. With all due respect to Paul Rodgers as a great singer, the shows with Adam have brought Queen’s music alive again for me. It just works! Along with the iHeart show in Vegas, I have also watched YT videos of the six full length concerts Queen and Adam did together in Eastern Europe and the UK back in 2012. I hope they do some concerts together in North America because I really want to attend a live show.
Two very different voices and performers–both very good. I have to say though I am in love with Adam Lambert’s voice.
Here is Adam’s version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weJ2q5HgxXs
YES, It is MAGIC when Queen and Adam Lambert take the stage! Adams Voice is like Magic. When he sings it’s like every note comes alive, saturates your heart and soul, and takes you on a journey with him…what ever the song or lyric, Adam has the God Given Mystical power to bring it life. His range is staggering and he can convey any emotion at the drop of a hat…Fierce and Powerful to sweet and Emotional..it’s the most phenomenal gift. Seeing Adam LIVE was always been like an out of body experience, His voice just wraps you up and takes you on a magic ride with him…I really hope Queen and Adam take this magic on tour in the USA!! We have NEVER seen a talent like Adam Lambert, and we have been waiting soooo long for this!! Please do a tour guys! XOXO
Totally agree, Yvette. I’ve seen Adam live 11 times, but never with Queen, so I feel my life is incomplete. LoL.
The word I’ve always used to describe Adam’s concerts is JOY, both from him and from the audience. I’ve gone with friends, but ended up sitting next to strangers if tiks were bought separately, yet the experience was just as rewarding. Adam is always being asked why his fans are so rabid, well it’s because of Adam’s attitude. I always remember the video from GNT in Milan where he was yelling at 2 people in the audience having a “to do.” It was so hilarious and so Adam!!
Have to agree with PattyGale. I love Adam’s theatrics. You should go back to some of the Glam Nation tour videos to see his really sexy side and in an instant he will turn his head away from the audience because he is laughing at himself.
He wouldn’t be a good Queen “fit” if he were not theatrical. He has matured into a very polished, magnificent artist, the best there is today. I hope his Glee appearance and third cd propel him to superstardom.
I know Queen is getting older and they probably can’t imagine a tour at this point in their careers. But please why can’t they do just a few shows with Adam? There is no comparison to him and Paul. Adam is unbelievable. He deserves to be a huge star. America doesn’t seem to appreciate great talent. I’ve seen Adam live but now live with Queen. There is no one like him. Hundreds of singers impersonate Freddie, but no one can impersonate this guy. When will the world wake up. Please do a mini tour with Adam Queen and come close to home. I’ll buy a ticket no matter what the price.
Paul was so good in Bad Company, but I think for Queen – Adam Lambert fits so beautifully. I truly wish they would go on tour together in the U.S.
Can’t wait after I-Heart. Queen and Adam have charisma. Queen likes Adam a great deal, an amazing collaboration and relationship between all of them. Brian May, in particular loves Adam Lambert and admits to forgetting to play, due to being mesmerized by what Adam does on stage. Yes, Queen is up in years, but Adam not only does justice to the songs, but puts his own stamp upon the music. Doesn’t want to be compared to Freddie, just wants to pay tribute. Deserves to be a top star and surprisingly is more popular overseas for his own music that in America. Orientation doesn’t matter the music does and Adam is still becoming better at his craft. I’ll buy a ticket here in the US to see Adam and Queen in 2014.