When Brian May peers over at Adam Lambert on stage with Queen, singing Freddie Mercury’s songs, he sees someone making a similarly transformational journey.
Anyone who’s followed Queen knows the band evolved from a harder-edged rock focus into one of the more entertainingly complex groups of the rock era — a shift that paralleled that of the once-painfully shy Mercury. By the time Queen made the big time, Freddie Mercury was ready for his moment in the spotlight. He’d become one of music’s most dynamic frontmen.
Adam Lambert, May says, is doing more than echoing Mercury’s vocals. He’s following the same path.
“Adam has really transformed, I must say,” May told muzyka.onet. “And, he shares that with Freddie. Freddie was always good, but he transformed himself from a singer who could do this or this into this really sort of god-like performer. Adam is the same. He’s really evolved, hugely. He’s much more comfortable in his shoes. He’s much more confident with an audience. In fact, it is like he was born to it. He’s grown into the part.”
Queen is in the midst of a final series of European shows, appearing today at Herning, Denmark. Appearances in Prague, Zurich, Krakow, London, Liverpool and Sheffield follow through the end of February.
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Adam deserves all of those accolades from Brian. Queen with Adam Lambert is an incredible experience.
Thanks for this article. Brian speaks the truth as I’ve seen this transformation myself. Just when I think his voice is best I’ve heard yet he out does himself. This last concert in Herning was off the charts incredible. he hit notes I don’t think exist yet. It’s gonna be painful when this European tour is over I’ve enjoyed seeing two shows and wish I’d seen more.
There really has been a shift in Adam’s performance with Queen in this latest tour. Something about him as changed and there’s a strength and coolness that emanates from him that wasn’t there before. He’s always been strong vocally, confident on stage and ok with an audience but this is way beyond that. He is more grounded and sure of himself, more natural & spontaneous. Some of this may be due to not feeling so much like an outsider as he used to in this role. Months have gone by with him being enthusiastically accepted by arena-loads of people & critics night after night so it’s got to impact on his sense of belonging. But it’s not just that either. I can’t describe it but Brian’s “transformation” or “evolving” will probably do.
Adam has had any audience in the palm of his hand since American Idol..and on his solo Glam Nation tour he was just as confident, powerful and Spectacular as he is with Queen. With Adams Solo tours he is beyond Phenomenal and Spellbinding with the audience because it is His concert. With Queen it was more about “Respecting” the Legacy of Queen and Freddie. He was ” feeling out” the die hard Queen Fans and seeing how much he could give to them. It was never about a lack of confidence or spontaneity, he was just waiting to see how much they could accept. Adam is Always uninhibited and Exhilarating on stage. But Adam was a guest Frontman having to deliver to a very loyal fan base and has done a Extraordinary job of winning all of them over. This shows what a Phenomenon Adam is.
Second that – he was always phenomenal at his own concerts – definitely walking on eggs with the Queen collab in the beginning – Queenies can be such sheeeets –
You are so right Jane. I can’t explain his transformation. It makes me sick to see the artists who perform on award’s shows or SNL or any other supposed live performances. He outshines them all. I plan to start hitting some TV talk show websites and asking them to invite Queen and Adam. He should be out there for the world to see what a superstar he’s become. His album will be out soon, but he needs press for it to do well. Radio airplay would also be nice. I hope he does a song with Queen.
Freddie Mercury is filet mignon. Adam Lambert is hamburger.
More like Dom Perignon vs. Oude Meester. You cannot really compare the two, no matter how much you dislike one of them.
You absolutely *can* compare the two. How is Lambert’s songwriting and playing?
So why are they getting better reviews than they were with Freddie? Roger said it in an interview.
Adam lambert is prime steak. It’s time people stopped trying to play one off against the other. Freddie doesn’t (and wouldn’t) care for these stupid comparisons and Adam has never pretended or wanted to be Freddie. Adam is Adam and he deserves respect for his talent, commitment and spirit. Very tired of people insulting the man when he has proved himself thousands of times now in person to 10s of thousands of Queen fans who love him and doesn’t need to keep doing it for anonymous twats on the internet.
Not in terms of vocal prowess. Sorry, just a fact. Adam is superior vocally. Freddie can’t compete with those high notes. Musically, orchestrally it is a different story.
Freddie’s gone – he was a great front man for Queen. Adam’s here – and he is a great front man for Queen. This comparison game is just so old – both men are so very different, but with equally superb voices and charisma on stage. (Must say like looking at Lambert a lot better – lol.)
Yes, Adam is a million times better looking. Seriously, there is no contest there.
Agreed !
I think Adam’s finally “feeling the love”.
they’re getting good reviews because people understand Queen now in a way that they didn’t back in the day. For example.. Rolling Stone only recently writing positively about Queen and Mercury . For decades, they just didn’t get that Queen was it’s own genre.
I hardly think the reviews they’re getting now have anything to do with “understanding” Queen better. The bottom line is if Queen were awful reviewers would gleefully say so. If Adam was terrible reviewers would joyfully tear him to shreds. But instead Queen with Adam Lambert are getting worldwide critical acclaim. They’re also getting a million times better reviews and response now than when they tried touring with Paul Rogers. That’s down to Mr Lambert, like it or not.
So what – It’s Lambert’s voice/stage presence that’re getting great reviews independent of Queen.
Shows like Queen + Adam Lambert are a dime a dozen. Nothing new or original. In the days Roger was talking about Freddie did things that music critics didn’t know what to say. Everything Queen did were original and unseen before. Critics didn’t know how to response so it was usually negative. Today these same critics are now saying how genius Freddie was. Adam Lambert fans can’t comprehend this.
So, it still doesn’t take away the FACT that he is universally getting stellar reviews now, does it? This is BOTH by critics and the Queenies attending. So how can he be hamburger? Hamburger would mean universally panned, empty arenas, and no extension of the tour. Hamburger does not win Band of the Year and Tour of the Year by Classic Rock Magazine.
This guy is just a goof. He may be right about people not accepting Queen for years. They won no grammies (what a joke!). But the bottom line is, they are selling out arenas that people like Gaga and Buble didn’t sell out…..with songs that are 40 years old. Adam wasn’t accepted for who he was by the music world….maybe some day that will change like it did for Queen. Listen to him sing 5-10 songs and you will be convinced.
it just changed in america for queen! in the rest of the world queen were always big and huge!
i’m sorry jane but back then it’s been obvious for all who know the history of queen that there were more prejudice regarding gay singers for instance the boycott of american radio stations against queen because of their hit video “i want to break free” in connection with the bandmembers being dressed up like women and freddie’s campy behaviour!
freddie’s sexuality was obvious for many aware observers back then.
it’s been a big difference to nowadays even if adam has had similar problems sometime.
by the way it’s naive to think the perception of music wouldn’t be time-dependant!
every music-interested knows that queen were outstandingly progressive in their beginnings so also inventive and ahead of their time hence you cannot compare apples with pears!
now they’re just succesfully repeating their awesome stuff but i hope they’ll do also new songs.
so when roger or brian are saying something ’bout differences in reviews they by no means mean something like their beloved buddy freddie was worse but referring to time-dependant situations or circumstances in their history since they’re always praised freddie’s abilities or complained ’bout the conservative americans back then. but you shouldn’t forget that they skyrocketed everwhere else in the world except in america that much! queen were always one of the best!
but anyway, why the hell would anyone think queen didn’t get awesome reviews before adam?!?!
they sold 300 000 000 records as one of the most succesful rockbands in history ever long before adam showed up so what’s the point here? adam’s still not very famous in europe! not many people know him here!
and don’t get me wrong, i’ve seen adam live in vienna so i know his abilities, he’s awesome and i hope they’ll stick together as long brian and roger are healthy enough but don’t simply compare him with such an iconic and experienced singer and showman legend like mercury who played the piano on stage whilst he was singing and moved his ass off up there besides whereas adam’s mostly concentrating on singing pitch perfect! as you can see the original intention of the original singer was slightly different because of more tasks that freddy fullfilled on stage and his often stated attitude ’bout life-performances! but that should by no means diminish adam’s musical abilities!
adam learned a lot since his first few appearances with them and he stated so by the way!
adam now is controlling his exaggerated musical theatre vibrato much better now as it fits better into rock now, he also showed slightly more developed edge compared to the too smooth, clean and somewhat thin beginning in his voice and he moves more already so i’ve been really surprised about his awesome rock performance and his relaxed showmanship. i finally like him for queen and i would really appreciate him to be with them forever ‘cos he’s for sure one of the few who got the potential being able to fill the big shoes of freddie but anyway it won’t be the same anymore but i’ll cope with it because of this awesome music which never should vanish!
“why the hell would anyone think queen didn’t get awesome reviews before adam?!?!” Ask ROGER, he is the one that said it. I think he would know, LOL.
come on, i explained why roger said that! you can also read one good explanation of rollingwiththebenz if my text is too long! as he said it was a totally different context which roger has been talking of. just to cite one sentence out of the context of the whole interview to use it for diminishing others is weak! also your use of my sentence is out of context. as i said the perception of music is always time-dependant and queen’s success back then speaks for itself!
I reread the entire article and there is nothing out of context. He is not talking about being treated badly before because it being a different time. The article is about Queen Extravaganza…then a few paragraphs on their current touring. Here is what those paragraphs said. Nothing out of context.
Aside from producing Queen Extravaganza, Roger continues to tour the world with Brian May as part of Queen + Adam Lambert.
Lambert finished runner-up in the eighth season of American Idol in 2009 and has since scored himself a role as Freddie Mercury, performing in arenas alongside Roger and Brian.
“It’s been great with Adam – he’s a camp Elvis,” says Roger, speaking before he stepped on stage in Sydney, Australia.
“He’s completely different. The last person we’d want is someone impersonating Freddie. He’s someone who is himself.
“Brian and I never expected to do all of this again, it’s been unbelievable.
“It’s great, except this time we’re actually getting good reviews.”
ok, we seemingly have one basic problem in understanding texts here;)! please read my text and “RollingwiththeBenz’s” explanation again to understand what i/we mean!
time-dependance, the history of queen, usa, loyalty, marketing and knowing of roger’s and brian’s attitude on all their fellow musicians are the keywords!
300 million sold records more than twenty years “before” lambert showed up are saying something ’bout what could have meant some bad reviews back then in connection with them doing things which nobody has seen before and creating their own niche! queen in their earlier years weren’t that mainstream like the pop-stuff nowadays like adam’s music before he became part of that rock band that’s now only repeating their ‘now’ old tunes!
you simply can’t compare the huge success before more than twenty years ago with the success now due to reviews of different ages with different musical landscape and digital media!
queen in their original formation were 21 years one hell of a rock band, famous and widely known for their musical skills and legendary stage performances all over the world except in the usa! the live aid concert in the 80’s was when queen stole the show…they had the best reviews back then! the collaboration with adam lasts a few years in comparison so guess what a comparison of reviews of these different eras of different duration and attitude can say. “RollingwiththeBenz’s” explanation is very good…look at it!
I don’t care what happened in the past. Rolling is referring to Adam as hamburger. I am simply saying how can he get STELLAR reviews if he is hamburger? Answer that question, why don’t you? It is coming from Roger’s mouth that they are getting good reviews now, no matter how much you try to spin it.
i’ve never tried to spin something but tried to explain what reviews mean and why roger said that in an objective way without emotions and that the past matters if you want to understand! please read it again so you can understand roger’s saying better! and Rolling said something more important than the hamburger saying…please focus on that!
your question is easy to answer! it’s simply because his or their performance “is” stellar but i didn’t say anything else because as i’ve stated i’ve liked the performance of them i’ve seen lately, it’s been awesome! but i can understand if people who are keen on real and powerful soaring rock-voices who haven’t seen adam live do have a problem with adam’s seemingly somewhat too clean voice.
i also could do without the long solo of brian but guess that’s more of one relaxation break for the other musicians.
Unless you are Roger himself or are a personal friend who talked to him before the interview, you have no idea what he meant. Why are you speaking as if you know what was in someone’s mind? Geez. Sometimes a spade is just a spade.
oh come on, how young or naive are you?
for understanding what’s behind the course of interviews or sayings of someone you don’t need to be one psychic, you just need to know the past as i told you! the past of queen and in connection their kind of interviews for that matter! but you told already you’re not interested in the past so it’s no wonder that you’ve got no clue what roger or brian means when they’re saying something!
besides rolling’s and my explanations before, brian and roger always cheered and highlighted their fellow-musicians to death in the “past”! for instance as hey described their former singer paul rodgers as one of the best voices in rock plus a one in a million kind of guy and freddie would’ve approved ‘cos freddie would’ve been one of paul’s biggest fans…. blablabla!
it’s the same like now with adam lambert but to recognise this you must know the past of queen and their interviews not just lambert’s ‘cos you’re always referring to interviews of queen! no miracle here to know what’s behind and no need to be private buddies for that matter!
if you wanna go out making big concerts you have to do marketing before and between the events as the past shows. queen is no exception in that so you cannot derive anything from the sayings of someone who is out to promote his work!
having said this i’m very well aware of the huge quality queen and adam lambert are delivering live ‘cos i’ve been there and seen them! it’s been easily one of the best concerts i’ve ever been to! adam is doing an awesome job and i want them to stick together forever but you simply cannot compare him to the original legend who was always famous for the same stuff you attribute now to lambert! adam might be a legend someday!
Don’t waste you time with these two trolls especially Rolling he’s been doing this for years. You can’t change the mind of a troll.
I do understand what you are saying. It was unfair back then and I think it’s been unfair to Adam not to get a second chance at making it in the music world. Yet, if it weren’t for his snubbing on radio and TV, I doubt I would have enjoyed two Queen concerts. It’s all good.
Lambert doesn’t have to “concentrate” on singing pitch perfect – it comes naturally to him, and as far as vibrato, singers would kill to have what he has. Regarding moving on stage, you obviously haven’t been following him through his career – baby can “move” with the best of them. (Never fond of FM’s overdone backbends.) Consider, too, Lambert is a solo performer with two impressive albums under his belt. FM was never able to make it before he joined May and Taylor – and his solo attempts were never big hits. It was the collab that made FM great.
lol…have you ever seen someone singing life? i’ve also seen adam live one month ago as i’ve stated! every singer has to concentrate on singing seriously! adam’s by no means an exception! he’s no super human! he’s just an awesome singer who focuses on singing!
i simply have stated that freddie’s done more tasks on stage like playing piano and moving more than adam although adam’s moving more than at his beginnings with queen! i simply can say so because i’ve seen them live! by the way i’ve also stated that it’s been an awesome concert for me…maybe one of the best i’ve ever been to!
and it doesn’t matter whether i followed his career in every detail because he’s here and now with queen and queen is his chance to get more famous in europe and queen is rock as well and for rock as one different genre it’s not a proper thing to use vibrato in every line like a musical theatre singer like adam did initially! i’ve also said he’s finally awesome now! he himself said he had to work on his voice to sing these songs with similar power like freddie did but yet he’s not satisfied!
obviously you don’t know mr. mercury’s musical genius otherwise you wouldn’t compare a time ‘without’ trendy casting-shows when musicians had to make their way up to fame just through playing in clubs, pubs and streets gaining musical skills
with lambert’s era where initially unknown people can skyrocket within few days through trashy tv-shows!
mercury was part of an indian family who immigrated to london when he was 18 because of a revolution in his country!
in his home country at the age of 8 the principal of his school recognised his musical talent which is why he got a classical education in piano playing. he then was part of a choir and played theatre! at the age of 12 he became a member of a band for the first time…”the hectics”!
in england he passed an art college and was selling self designed clothes together with roger on a market! with 23 he then was part of band called ibex from liverpool, with 24 brian, roger and freddie formed queen!
aside from queen he had megahits like the song “barcelona” with the opera singer montserrat caballe or “living on my own” for instance!
having said all this i repeat that i find adam is an awesome singer but you can’t compare him to one of the most praised and powerful “rock” voices on earth!
I don’t compare them – it’s reviewers and posters who do. I just reply and say stop wallowing in the past and view QAL as an individual performance. So sick of the “he’s not Freddie” meme – no, he’s not – he’s Adam Lambert and a superb performer in his own right.
You seem to think Lambert sprang full blown from the brow of Minerva on American Idol – he had years of work in clubs, gigs, a band, and as a session singer along with theater work – the latter a great advantage in performing Queen’s dramatic songs (certainly FM was not averse to drama). He tried Idol because he was an out gay and his chances in the business in 2007-08 were slim to none. Gay performers, like Sam Smith, have it easy now as Lambert did all the hard work and got the venom and hate big time. Got balls of titanium.
And what’s this “moving on stage” thing – Lambert’s jumping off stairs, dancing, spinning – give any performer a run for his/her money. And don’t give me a history lesson on Fred – I’ve read biographies and all kinds of information on him – probably know as much, or more, than you do.
I believe Lambert has the finest male voice in the music biz today. Brian and Roger affirm that, as well as saying their work today is as good as anything they’ve ever done. These are brilliant concerts – have gone to three in the U.S.
And dislike that lip-synched Barcelona performance with Caballe – it was fun for him, but that’s about it. And FM was no “super human” either – concerts after 1981 had to be scheduled around his voice. Stop making him into a god – mounted in a museum – he was truly great as Q’s front man – but that time is past. Let’s enjoy Queen’s new-found life in music with a front man who can do justice to this difficult, iconic music
ok, i agree with most of what you say except with the live barcelona-performance when he lip-synched! freddie mercury already suffered from aids related pneumonia at this time so he obviously couldn’t guarantee one good performance and by no means i make him a god ‘cos i already said the queen and adam lambert concert was one of the best concerts i’ve ever been to! instead i always have the feeling all the lambert-fans know nothing ’bout queen and making adam lambert a god!
i really always would’ve liked to go to one original queen-concert ‘cos i’ve always heard from the folks who were old enough and attended their concerts how awesome and powerful they were back then!
and the “moving thing” is not the most important thing although i find freddie moved more but the piano playing next to his singing! maybe it’s because of adam’s taller so it looks slower but anyway, i always try to be objective without emotions and i find adam as the new guy the nearest to what queen was with their original formation with freddie!
as i stated my intention is not to put adam down and i find adam a great frontman for queen but i always have the impression that no one of the younger lambert fans really knows who freddie was!
Old or young – don’t think ever met anyone who didn’t know FM – his name is so integrally associated with Queen. But might say, if a Lambert fan didn’t know FM before QAL, he or she certainly does now – lol. It’s Lambert and his fans who are promoting FM’s legacy in every one of these wonderful performances. All good.
as for some famous songs you’re right for sure but i’ve meant more his whole work and the awesome skills he had as well!
anyway you’re right with the knowledge “now” – lol
Are you online or not?
sorry but i haven’t been able to come through with my previous comment due to unknown technical circumstance. it’s never appeared when i posted it so i’ve tried it with and without links hence i don’t know which version you answered but i try to answer again:
given that especially the preference for certain music is a matter of taste and taste on the other hand strongly time-dependant we can hardly argue about who’s better and after all on that musical level! that’d be somewhat stupid and one never-ending story. even attractiveness is in the eye of the beholder!
so we can agree or disagree with everything we want or prefer dependant on our viewpoint what makes one discussion even more complicated.
but given lambert’s own statements and my personal perception from the beginning of their collaboration on i’ve got no reason why i shouldn’t believe what may said ‘cos lambert’s here and “now” with queen, no matter what he’s done before! and if one is open for real rock-music one can easily recognise lambert’s development regarding performance within that very timespan!
and indeed as rolling’s said for mercury the same terms have been used for decades as “now” for adam as well, as shown here:
http://youtu.be/rzzHAer_hs – “by no means terms that are applying to rock performers in general”;
You can believe whatever you want, but unless you’ve looked at Lambert’s years of pre-Queen performances you don’t know what you’re talking about. As said below, Lambert became more comfortable with Queen as the rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences rolled in – he was in a frightening spot for any performer – replacing a Mercury who’s become a god to Queenies through the years. Now, with all those concerts under his belt he’s become more relaxed. But all those brilliant performance skills were evident to those who knew him from the beginning. Many of Lambert’s fans have pointed this out.
Go see the YT I mentioned below – 2010 Fantasy Springs Improved Version of Whole Lotta Love – FM could never do that. (There are hundreds – maybe thousands of YT’s of Lambert’s performances before Queen.)
lol, sorry but i don’t believe but it’s obvious through many interviews like the one of may here and lambert’s himself in connection with own perception!
you indeed can repeat your stuff but you seem to missing my points, i already explained my point of view, read again please!
you obviously are obsessed with lambert ‘cos you’re defending him although it’s not necessary ‘cos finally i like him and his skills as i stated!
i’ve attended their concert and it’s been great to me!
besides you’re always talking ’bout queenies who see mercury as a god, may be, but fact is that all music interested over 30, no matter which genre they prefer…even classic-lovers, know about mercury’s status and efforts! that doesn’t take away anything from lambert’s greatness!
by the way, i’ve seen your mentioned video but i like the other versions of lambert singing it more but it still is one repitition and nothing original created by himself!
as for fm not being able to do that, are you serious?
your statement proves two things: first not just that you’re blaming others like rollings to tell untruth ’bout may having said something although it stands right above in the text of this article, you obviously can’t be objective due to lack of knowledge of queen’s history and exaggerated lambert fandom. do you know queen’s song “liar”, their collaboration with robert plant of led zeppelin or their rare rendition of a zep-song on a live concert? led zeppelin were british as queen! queen’s known to be influenced by them as you can hear on some of their older tunes. so not fm’s territory isn’t really true, sorry!
second actually it comes down to how someone does it with their respective style and not if someone can do it exactly the same way like the other person! given that you’ve got two persons with great individual talent you cannot expect them doing it the same way otherwise it’d be nothing special.
why it isn’t necessary to know ones career in details to be able to assess presence i’ve already explained! by the way i’m not a big pop-fan, although i like some of lambert’s pop-songs but to say he’s done rock is simply way exaggerated having a relatively short career after coming from musical theatre! i also told you ’bout “matter of taste”, right?
lambert is an awesome singer but to compare him to one legend he yet isn’t ready for, sorry!
lol – talk about being obsessed – look at these essays you’re posting even while stating you don’t have to know AL’s history. FM was a great front man – Lambert is now a great front man. But AL is also a terrific solo artist – FM never really was – nor were BM or RT. FM was going nowhere with flopped bands until he latched on to BM and RT – it was the collaboration that made FM and the boys great. (Have one caveat, for me it’s Brian’s guitar that’s Queen’s sound as much as FM’s voice – you may disagree, but that’s the way I see it.)
P.S. FM could never do that WWL as AL did – simply didn’t have the sexual allure to do it.
They crack me up how they regaurd Adam as the second coming and all. Ther are not wrong.
They are selling to sold out arenas all over the world. Yet we hear nothing about it even during their US tour. Adam is killing it and I’m so proud of it. I just wish other people could hear about it other than those who follow Adam, Queen or rock music. Adam deserves so much better. But thanks for the nice article. I’ve never seen a better live singer.
I keep believing that Adam Lambert can’t get any better or any sexier, and he does.
Totally disagree about both have fabulous looks and sex appeal. One is a million times better looking than the other. One could be a male model and an actor. Oh, he is an actor.
Brian May said Lambert is following the path as Mercury. Lambert is a Mercury wannabe. Its obvious and the delusional Lambert fans can’t see this. His fans are using the same terms rock fans have used for years about Mercury.
Wrong – May never said that – what he said is that he didn’t want an imitator – and Lambert most definitely is not. He’s a solo performer with two albums under his belt and a third coming out this summer – Mercury-wannabe? – laughable. And see nothing similar in AL’s performances to FM’s – different styles completely. That’s why AL’s so brilliant – bringing this music alive again for a new century – rescuing it from the mausoleum where too many like you would like to keep it.
sorry, but rolling’s right, may said that as you easily can see in the third paragraph of this head topic’s link above.
and due to my live-experience lately i can definitely say there are some similarities but mostly different though! i’m not sure whether i can agree with rolling ’bout the “wannabe”, guess it’s just a good chance for lambert to get more known overall and especially in europe ‘cos nobody knows him really here!
…and indeed for fm the same terms have been used for decades as “now” for adam as well as is proved on different documentations on youtube!
adam definitely stated he studied all the videos of queen to grasp the original intentions of the queen-songs as is clear when adam, as he stated also during the concert i’ve attended, wants to pay tribute and celebrate one of the greatest, so it’s no wonder that certain typical mercury poses are appearing but in general i have to say lambert is doing one great, mostly distinct job! it’s been an awesome concert!!!
the rest is time-dependant “matter of taste” i’d say!
Read my post below to Roman Eckstein –
TO: Roman Eckstein’s last comment below (apparently account gone within last half hour of this posting)
Many of those who know Lambert’s career disagree with May – do agree that he’s become more comfortable with Queen, but that’s due to the acceptance he’s received at stepping into the front man role of FM. (Lambert has balls of titanium to do that in face of the hysterical reaction of some Queenies.) In Lambert’s own performances with his band pre-Queen, he is fearless on stage and, imo, completely unlike FM. If anything he reminds me more of Elvis (as Roger has stated) in his looks, onstage movements, and charisma. (As for “poses” and “rock terms” – that verbiage applies to rock performers in general, not just AL and FM.)
(Check out AL way-before-Queen performance at Fantasy Springs – 2010 – “Adam Lambert Acoustic Whole Lotta Love Improved Version Fantasy Springs”) – not FM’s territory.
And with Queen, AL never reminds me of FM physically – both men have humor, intelligence, and brilliant talent, but that’s about it.
sorry, i haven’t been able to post anything due to unknown circumstance so i’ve tried it without and with certain links but nothing came through hence i don’t know what version you answered;)!
herewith i try it again ‘cos it seems to answer your statement:
sorry, but rolling’s right, may said it and due to my live-experience lately i can definitely say there are some similarities but mostly different! i’m not sure whether i can agree with rolling ’bout the “wannabe”, guess it’s just a good chance for lambert to get more known overall and especially in europe ‘cos nobody knows him really here!
look here what may said…rolling’s right:
http://somethingelsereviews.com/2015/02/15/adam-lambert-brian-may-freddie-mercury-transformation/
…and indeed for mercury the same terms have been used for decades as “now” for adam as well, as shown here:
http://youtu.be/rzzHAer_hsc
adam definitely stated he studied all the videos of queen to grasp the original intentions of the queen-songs as is clear when adam, as he stated also during the concert i’ve attended, wants to pay tribute and celebrate one of the greatest, so it’s no wonder that certain typical mercury poses are appearing but in general i have to say lambert is doing one great, mostly distinct job! it’s been an awesome concert!!!
the rest is time-dependant “matter of taste” i’d say!
Thanks to this fantastic collaboration….new generations can enjoy the beautiful music of Queen….when before we didn’t….I am 27 yrs old….now we tune and hum their music when we’re in the car walking etc….two different sounds….one studio like…and the new one completely live….both of them extremely beautiful…..what a joy is to experience a true pitch perfect rock concert …..
Yes – all Queen’s members contributed to its success. Yes, for me, May’s guitar is the quintessential sound of Queen. Yes, I believe it’s a tribute to Lambert that he can do both solo and band. And, yes, “sexual fantasies” (as you nastily post) have nothing to do with the FACT that FM did not have the on-stage persona to perform WLL in the manner of AL – live with it.
just funny how you’re implying there would be any valuable issue why freddie should’ve done something in the manner of someone different. he was no copycat, did his own stuff outstandingly and had his very own world renowned stage persona;).
so, well, in general i can live with “your opinion”.
And AL is no copycat – does his own stuff outstandingly – has his own indisputable style – is becoming known worldwide – and, as May said, will be a legend. And AL worked his derriere off since the age of eighteen in all kinds of gigs as a solo artist – didn’t just emerge from Idol – he came there fully equipped with all that talent and stage presence. Check Wikipedia entry and his Idol performances. Find him completely different from FM in voice and charisma. Both great, but prefer AL.
oh come on, we already discussed all this: why you should listen music by yourself and not listening to the ones who are out to promote their work where may always has cheered his fellow musicians to death, also paul rodgers and that lambert’s fame skyrocketed since idol with other songs than his…no question about that he’s done something before but lambert himself stated he’s developed a lot since his collaboration with queen and that his voice is different is no secret to me ‘cos i’ve listened to him live and’ve found him great as well but would always prefer the original powerful rock voice! my humble opinion!
So May is lying? Don’t think so – falls in line with everything else both he and Taylor have said about AL’s voice – one in a billion – does things with his voice never heard anyone else do, etc. – tons of quotes on AL’s voice – just because you haven’t heard them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
And FM’s fame skyrocketed after his collab with Queen, as well – with his voice, according to May, “developing” through the years.
oh my, how old are you?
may and taylor are not lying but obviously promoting as it is usual before and during concerts and you would know that if you saw some interviews and press conferences of queen’s past with paul rodgers! then paul rodgers was the one in a billion-voice. may further said that freddie would have approved ‘cos he would’ve been one of paul rodgers biggest fans! and although it’s clear that lambert’s voice is a much better fit to queen you probably can recognise the ambiguity behind such interviews of the people who are involved. and there are tons of quotes on every famous voice!
and you’re naturally right with your last sentence!
and yes, i’ve heard lambert, his voice is great, so what!
Why do you have to use insulting remarks – “oh, my, how old are you?” Fully aware of FM’s and Q’s love for PR’s voice – I love it,, too – prefer some of his interpretations to FM’s. And, imo, May’s and Taylor’s remarks with regard to AL are of a different quality – never said PR can do things with his voice never heard anyone else do. AL’s voice is in a different category altogether, as the guys have stated.
sorry if i hurt you but to me it’s obvious that someone’s involved interviews during a concert tour are geared towards cheering all their folks who have to do with it and the stuff and material they’re setting up ‘cos it’d be stupid not to do so if you want as many people to come to your concerts as possible. this tendency you could recognise everytime may or taylor has been talking ’bout someone of their entourage. whether it was george michael with whom queen reportedly also wanted to do a collaboration years ago ‘cos of his one in a billion voice with a similar range, kerry ellis or tom chaplin from keane, named as incredible voice by the way! or for instance mark martel who resembles freddie himself not only in voice has been highly cheered by roger taylor as phenomenal talented musician and many terms more right before they set out to do the queen extravaganza shows!
it’s called promotion which is a common thing to do before an event! hence it doesn’t count very much what the leaders of a band are saying ’bout the attributes of their fellow musicians right before and during a tour! to assess what in general is matter of taste anyway you must discuss with independant people to derive anything objective…that should be clear. they simply won’t do harm their own business!
besides roger and brian are known as outstandingly humble and devoted to cheering others.
well, in that context you can say such trivial things like ones voice is a different category and pick certain terms they use for it but it makes just sense for their business ‘cos every voice is different and of other category which leads me to joe cocker who could also do things with his voice lambert can’t!
foul comparison you think? not when i think of “with a little help from my friends”, lambert would ruin it with his voice nor can i imagine lambert singing “was it all worth it”, “hitman” or “white man” of queen. he’s got not the proper voice for all. doesn’t take away anything from lambert’s great voice but he simply can’t do anything.
having that in mind i admit i’ve been blown away by q&al’s performance of one part of their catalogue…just wanna be objective!
i find paul rodger’s voice awesome as well but for his blues-oriented rock in particular which isn’t really queen! he’s credited with having one of rock’s best voices by the way so as you can see it’s not all about range but also timbre, power and other parameter.
many are saying freddie had the best package of that…matter of taste but highly recognised by musiclovers!
and as much as i appreciate lambert’s voice, but there are many music genres, styles and people out there and just as many tastes. we could talk on and on about what great voices are out there! classical opera singers for instance are in some way unbeaten in their vocal abilities but they have no kind of idol-promotion behind.
idol helped lambert to get famous in the states and asia no matter what he’s done before and he’s great indeed but i doubt that queen would’ve been interested in him in case of lambert not being shown and promoted by idol fueling his success afterwards.
it’s ever been freddie’s and the boys wish to repair the damage on their image in the then conservative states that’s been produced by things like the camp video of “i want to break free” in the mid 80’s.
there’s no better method for repairing this than fishing in a trendy usa-casting show hyped by mainstream pop lovers after one young and fresh singer capable of performing freddie’s stuff in a way and waiting afterwards to see whether he’s doing good after idol to grab him then!
i’ve seen both adam lambert and mark martel live and i can’t say who’s voice is better! both are awesome and great and i can definitely say that lambert’s more camp and there’s been a bigger stage and light show with the old original guys what’s been very impressive whereas mark seemed to be more rock to me but performancewise i can’t say who’s better!
well, that’s one statement of a man who seeks to be objective though i know ’bout “the matter of taste – factor” and won’t get blinded by any superficial notion of beauty or sexual allure when it comes to the world of pure music!
i’ve once seen eric clapton on stage… he’s known as one who’s not very attentive and talkative to the audience but i recognised what great and awesome musician he is hence you could recognise how many musicians there were in the audience to whom obviously the absence of one superficial spectacle which seems to be so trendy totally didn’t matter!
again, matter of taste!
Sorry – couldn’t wade through your incoherent mess of an essay. Will just say again May and Taylor have spoken of Lambert in terms never did with any other singer. You don’t believe that – fine – don’t give a rat’s patootie – all the best –
i’m sure in my long texts, in the last as well as in answers to others and links, you can find something ’bout the way i think on your issue.
you possibly learn something ’bout objectivity, promotion, voices, time-dependant taste and queen always having been humble and kind businessmen as well if you’re patient enough with my texts. no? you prefer ignoring the obvious? that’s kind of cute, dream on, i’ll take it with ease…lol.
well, and before that takes too many repetitions here let’s indeed stop that hyped nonsense, just read and recognise, i’m sure you’ll succeed;).
You haven’t read then what I posted. Lambert did get more comfortable with Queen – took time to realize how well he’d been accepted – that was patently obvious seeing his performances at Kiev and now, years later, in Europe. As one who has seen six of his own performances pre-Queen, it was obvious then, when on his own, all that brilliant talent was already there and he was completely comfortable in his own skin.
And, repeat again, May’s and Taylor’s many interviews/statements (which doubt you’ve seen/heard) regarding AL are of a different category than that of others who have sung with Queen.
I cannot emphasize how over the top Adam is. It isn’t like seeing Freddy at all. It’s like seeing Liberace on steroids and roller skates