BIRMINGHAM MAIL
12 January 2015 by Luke Beardsworth
A look at Queen’s new lead man Adam Lambert
The current line-up still features Brian May and Roger Taylor along with long-time keyboardist Spike Edney, bassist Neil Fairclough and percussionist Rufus Taylor (son of Roger). The band have stated that after live performances, there is a chance that new material will be recorded. That leaves someone to fill the void left by Freddie Mercury and it could be argued that there is nobody up to the task.
Previously, Queen had toured with Paul Rodgers with many expressing their disappointment at the end product. Adam Lambert was hand-picked by May and Taylor to front the band this time around.
Here’s our guide to the extravagant new lead singer of Queen.
1. He was runner-up on American Idol Adam Lambert gained a reputation as a flamboyant performer with real talent thanks to his stint on American Idol in 2009. He notably performed renditions of Muse songs and later, he and eventual winner Kris Allen performed We Are The Champions with May and Taylor.
2. He won Brian May over with his original audition Most people choose something safe and familiar for their audition on American Idol or X Factor. Adam Lambert decided to throw himself in at the deep end when he performed Bohemian Rhapsody. Brian May would later admit that he was considering Adam Lambert as Queen’s singer as early as then.
3. His debut album contained a track written by Muse Lambert had won himself some key fans thanks to his run on American Idol and among them was Matthew Bellamy, of Muse. He gave up one of the songs intended for a Muse album, called Soaked, to go on Adam Lambert’s debut, which is also contained tracks by Pink and Lady Gaga.
4. He left his label RCA because he didn’t want to do a covers album He sent a letter to the Hollywood Reporter in July 2013 stating that he was leaving his label due to creative differences. They wanted him to do a covers album but he resisted, saying his new material was where his heart is.
5. His shows with Queen have earned strong reviews Almost universally, reviews of his shows with Queen have received praise. Although Mercury is an irreplaceable talent, Lambert has been praised for performing with a similar spirit while not attempting to imitate. A chemistry between all the performers has also been noted, something May has called “organic”.
6. He is the first openly gay artist to claim number one spot on US album chart With his second album Trespassing, Lambert became the first openly gay artist to top the Billboard 200 album chart. His work has seen him become an important figure in the LGBT community.