It is, of course, impossible to know what the late Freddie Mercury might have thought about Adam Lambert’s performances in his stead with Queen. But the American Idol finalist suspects it would have been positive.
Lambert has made a series of appearances with Queen since Brian May and Roger Taylor took part in the Idol finale back in 2009. Up next is a highly anticipated U.S. debut, as part of the iHeart Radio music fest later this month in Vegas.
“I think he’d be down,” Lambert says of Mercury, in a talk with Wild 106.1 FM. “Brian, Roger and the band, they’ve been really cool about telling me stories about Freddie — and kind of letting me into the kind of guy that he was. They always keep saying: ‘Oh, you guys would have gotten such a kick out of each other. You probably would have made each other laugh.’ It’s quite a compliment.”
Lambert isn’t the first to serve as fill-in frontman since Mercury died in 1991 from an AIDS-related illness. Among them are George Michael (at a 1992 tribute concert), Robbie Williams (on the 2001 soundtrack for A Knight’s Tale), Paul Rodgers (from 2005 through 2009) and Tom Chaplin of Keane fame (in 2010). There’s even been a Queen + Wyclef Jean rap version of “Another One Bites the Dust” along the way.
Still, for Lambert, Queen’s original singer remains one of a kind.
“There will only be one Freddie Mercury,” Lambert says. “There’s really no comparing. I’m just up there when I sing those songs, just trying to kind of pay tribute.”
The iHeartRadio festival, set for September 20-21, 2013, will also feature Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Ke$ha, Bruno Mars, and others, performing at the MGM Grand Arena.
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I’ve never had more fun being a fan until Adam. His vocals capture my heart, his performances are unique. I love every song I’ve heard him sing and am hoping he will keep putting out more new music. He’s a good man and humanitarian. For those who think he shouldn’t sing with Queen, remember they sought him out, Adam did not insinuate himself on them.
It really makes me angry when ‘Fans’ who never knew Freddie personally, and in some cases weren’t even born when he was alive, try to imply that he would have been upset at Adam singing with Queen and that it is some kind of heresy. Surely the best people to be able to say what his opinion would have been are those who knew him personally for years from before he was a Rock Icon, struggled with him to gain that status and were his personal friends, that is Brian May and Roger Taylor. If they are happy to have Adam sing the songs then no one elses view is relevant. No matter how many albums they bought or concerts they attended.
Roger and Brian knew Freddie best,so that is good enough for me,some people just like to complain…Adam Lambert did great justice not only to the music of Queen but also to the memory late great Freddie Mercury and like the last song from this iconic frontman..”The Show Must Go On”…
This older, married with children, rabid Queen fan is obsessed with Adam’s performance with Queen. Only close-minded people who reject change and are brain-washed by the American media would not appreciate this amazing talent that is Adam Lambert. I watch the DVDs with Queen often and am still amazed. No one will ever be Freddie; there was no one like him. But he’s gone and why not spread his wonderful words and orchestrations with the world. Brian and Roger love Adam and so would the world if they’d wake up and listen to Adam. He’s witty, articulate, fun-loving, open and honest, writes and produces music, and we know about his singing. He sang in front of hundreds of thousands in Europe with Queen and does well on his own despite the snubbing on radio. Some day I hope America wakes up and the music world grows up and accepts this highly-talented person.
There is no one and I mean no one better to fill Freddie’s shoes then Adam, you rock Adam !!!!!! Love all your performances with Queen. I also love your Trapassing album !!
Here’s hoping the iHeart Radio Music Festival Queenbert performance will lead to more of the same in the U.S.A.
Because of Adam, I started to learn and enjoy listening to Queen’s great music.
I listened to several interviews with Brian May. He always says Freddie would have liked Adam Lambert. It’s so sad Freddie’s untimely death. I do miss him. I was such a fan of his and Queen growing up. I don’t know Adam Lambert all that well but from what I’ve seen he does Freddie well and Brian and Roger actually look happy again.
Thanks Dwayne for being willing to accept Adam and not blow him off like some do. I would love to send you a DVD of the Kiev concert where Adam is on fire and the chemistry between Roger and Brian is special.
As a person with some psychic gifts, Freddie is always trying to get my attention. He LOVES Adam from what I perceive. I’ve seen pictures where I believe Freddie has jumped into Adam’s body. The message I get is that he is thrilled to see his music live on through Adam Lambert.
Adam Lambert is such a class act and a pro. He is so respectful of Freddie and Queen, careful not to mimic but to bring his own power and excitement to their music without losing any of it’s integrity. Brian May and Roger Taylor recognized not only Adam’s incredible vocal range and perfection, but his sharing of the art of the music and the love of performing it. With all of Adam’s confidence and electric stage presence, he’s a very humble, generous performer sharing that stage. He’s a kind, funny, very articulate man, real and very down to earth, good to his fans and appreciate for all he has attained. He and Queen are musical excellence at it’s best! Freddie would have loved him!
Of COURSE Freddie’d be thrilled. For an Adam Lambert to be able to live an out and proud life finally in this day and age? Brian said they loved working with Lambert because he brought a level of excitement to the shows – almost a danger not knowing exactly what he was going to light up in them spontaneously – reminiscent of working with Freddie and they felt young again. The suggestion that Freddie Mercury wanted the music to die with him is ridiculous considering that all he ever wanted to do was entertain people.
Adam Lambert is such a class act. If you have any doubt, just watch any of his performances with Queen, always acknowledging them and Freddie (as shown in the above video, in Belfast MVAs, etc.) with the utmost humility and respect. He never wanted to mimic Freddie, but honor him and Queen’s amazing body of work putting his stamp on it without compromising any of the integrity of the music. Adam reminded us of the excellence of Queen, bringing the excitement to a new generation and reminding older generations that Queen is what music should be and has always been, exhilarating, creatively written and majestically played by Dr. Brian May and Roger Taylor, always at the top of their game and recognizing the jaw dropping talent of Adam’s vocal ability and electric, commanding stage presence. I believe that Freddie would be proud of Adam’s portrayal and would have enjoyed his friendship, had he lived. I think they would have respected, liked and understood each other. I think Brian and Roger would have thought so too.