Adam Lambert + Queen ?

FlashCE

symphonyrat

KS and RTG

KiserSoze

And for the record, I think Lambert could give these guys a run for their money.  Sure, I'll say it.

This.  I'll just come out and say Lambert has more talent than those guys.  People here are going to disagree because he's an American Idol contestant and not in a metal band, but that's just stupid.  Believe me, I wanted to hate him.  My sister wouldn't shut up about him for like 2 months and it made me angry, but finally I watched him aaaaaaaaannnnd he's incredible.

I love Adam Lambert's singing, and I think he would be great in Queen, but to say he has more talent than Labrie, Tate, Gillan, Halford, and Dickinson is seriously a fucking ignorant disrespectful statement.

Except Adam Lambert can actually sing really well live, unlike LaBrie, Tate and Dickinson.

I know you're gonna bring age into the discussion, but that's just a cop out.

Age is definitely a legitimate factor here. These guys don't have the lungpower they used to.

And we don't know what Adam sings like after a 2+ hour set. I'm willing to bet about halfway through he wouldn't be able to pull off all the screeching and wailing nearly as efficiently.

kidgloves2


Gary Mullen FTW!

 
++++++++++++++1!!!
Dito!
 
 
Gary Mullen definitely would be the ultimate choice! The guy comes close to Freddie's singing style like no-one else!
Check out Youtube for this guy and have a listen to his voice.

kidgloves2


Gary Mullen FTW!

Frank Mullen would be perfect!

I haven't really ever watched any of these singing contest shows and I've ignored the news about them but I was intrigued enough by this story that I had to check this guy out. He is a fuckin' amazing singer. I think he could have a great career if he would stay away from the mainstream bullshit and choose a different musical path.

I think starting out your career trying to fill someone else's shoes is a big mistake though. Especially the shoes of the greatest singer/ frontman in history. That's like a band releasing a cover song as their first single these days.

Hopefully he does his own thing at least for a while and hopefully he re-thinks this electro-pop idea. This guy has the talent and popularity to do a mainstream prog-metal album. And I'm saying that as a fan of old school rock 'n' roll and not a metal head or prog fan.

Exploder


I haven't really ever watched any of these singing contest shows and I've ignored the news about them but I was intrigued enough by this story that I had to check this guy out. He is a fuckin' amazing singer. I think he could have a great career if he would stay away from the mainstream bullshit and choose a different musical path.

I think starting out your career trying to fill someone else's shoes is a big mistake though. Especially the shoes of the greatest singer/ frontman in history. That's like a band releasing a cover song as their first single these days.

Hopefully he does his own thing at least for a while and hopefully he re-thinks this electro-pop idea. This guy has the talent and popularity to do a mainstream prog-metal album. And I'm saying that as a fan of old school rock 'n' roll and not a metal head or prog fan.

I think starting out your career trying to fill someone else's shoes is a big mistake though. Especially the shoes of the greatest singer/ frontman in history. That's like a band releasing a cover song as their first single these days.

I  can only think of one band whose first single was a cover song. . . Alien Ant Farm

Tensed Dreams

Ravenlunatic

Tensed Dreams


So they fired Poul Rodgers??

According to Rolling Stone, it was never a permanent arrangement.
 
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/05/13/paul-rodgers-queen-split-it-was-never-a-permanent-arrangement/

Okay, cool, he states that!
 
What about John Deacon? I have that he retired? When did he do that?

Pretty much as soon as Made In Heaven came out. He came back to do No-One But You but that's it. Sort of a Christine McVie thing; he's just done.

Hoskat


I  can only think of one band whose first single was a cover song. . . Alien Ant Farm

Van Halen - You Really Got Me

Deep Purple's first single was Joe South's Hush too

The Ataris first single was "Boys of Summer" by Don Henly.

Only successful cover artist I can think of was Elvis. And this Adam Lambert does seem to have a bit of the King in him.

where can I find a proper video of this Adam guy singing, so that I don't judge a book by its cover?

 Here's Adam singing in a much different style than usual. Very Impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu_dPnRzbRQ

Well, I just watched him sing (for the first time) Whole Lotta Love and I have to say that although he's technically great etc, it sounded to me like a parody of the song. The way he used vibrato and his whole performance sounded like Celine Dion singing hard rock to me. Did he sing something where he didn't sound like he's on Broadway?

Never heard of him before, to be honest. :) But after some videos in You Tube, I find him quite good, and seems to fit Queen much better than PR...

Apparently this thread was premature, but it looks like it's official now.
 
http://www.rollingstone.c...ns-new-singer-20120203

As a HUGE Queen fanatic since 1975 (!!!) I can only think of a few words to describe how I feel about this.....DISGUSTED..............EMBARRASSED.............REVOLTED.........

QUEEN died in 1991. It's been nothing less than a cash grab since! I totally support Brian & Roger in their musical endeavors, but drop the Queen name for God's sake and stop embarrassing your legacy of greatness!

no comments... 

pullmyfinger


As a HUGE Queen fanatic since 1975 (!!!) I can only think of a few words to describe how I feel about this.....DISGUSTED..............EMBARRASSED.............REVOLTED.........

QUEEN died in 1991. It's been nothing less than a cash grab since! I totally support Brian & Roger in their musical endeavors, but drop the Queen name for God's sake and stop embarrassing your legacy of greatness!

Suffice to say that whatever the exact opposite of pullmyfinger's post is, that's how I feel.
 
This should rock.

I think this is going to be pretty cool.   Or rather, it COULD be...depending on how it...

Listened to a clip of him singing with queen prior to this...
 
HeEeEeEeEeEeEe neEeEeEeEeEeEeEeds tOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo uUuUuUuUuUsEeEeEeEeEe aAaAaAaAaAaAaA liIiIiIiIiIittleEeEeEeEeEeE leEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEss VibraAaAaAaAaAaAaAtoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo.

I'm surprised they didn't use this guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dREKkAk628I
 
Or even the singer of Foxy Shazam, who's newer stuff sounds like it could be unreleased Queen b-sides
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2QH9fpJSgw (official page)
 
I know Adam has a great range (he was the only reason I watched AI that season), but he really doesn't fit with Queen.  Monetarily speaking though, the choice is genius.

How can you say Adam Lambert is 'starting his career covering someone else'?  He had one of the biggest hits of 2011 for god's sake.  You couldn't swing a half a microphone stand without hitting a radio playing "Whataya Want From Me", and he gets to play with litereally rock royalty.  Not sure how anyone can a) question this, and b) compare it to "Alien Ant Farm"??????
 
As for debut singles being covers...
 
Kiss "Kissin' Time"
Black Sabbath "Evil Woman"
The Rolling Stones "Come On"
Motorhead "Leaving Here"
 
 
 

I don't know... I kinda hate this. I like Queen, but Lambert is too damn showy with his screeching and over-singing. Freddie did it with taste, something Lambert is lacking as of now. Is he a capable singer technically? Absolutely! Could he do Queen if he tried? Yes! Will he? Well, that remains to be seen.

Yeah, they really should drop the Queen name.... but it's not the end of the world. IMO, Adam is one of the better choices, they could have picked a lot worse. At least the guy has a charismatic persona/voice. 

Queen is now dead for me! Paul Rodgers was fine... but this????  is this a joke for the fans??? damn this is a bad taste for humor.

To me, iconic bands like Queen, The Who, Yes, etc., are more than a name. It's a chemistry, a vibe that translates to the fan in a very special way. Band A or Band B may be as dysfunctional as hell but it's that very chemistry that produces "it", you know? So, when a major, and I mean MAJOR piece of that puzzle is gone... or, ingredient, if you will, it ceases having "it". The flavor is... different. Maybe similar, but just not right. So, IMO, "Queen" did not truly survive the death of Freddie. He was the "it". The Who without Entwistle... nope. Even though the front guys are still there, no Thunderfingers, no Who. No Steven Wilson, No Porcupine Tree. That may be a bad example, because realistically, he IS Porcupine Tree, but you get my point. Now I may blow up my whole argument here with the question "Is DT still DT without MP?" To be honest, I don't think there's a clear cut answer to that one. In my experience, drummers are among the most replaced members of successful bands; eg. Bruford -> White, Maitland -> Harrison, Moon -> Jones, Bouchard -> Everybody Else, etc. But with DT it's different, chemistry-wise, but time will tell there. Anyway, I've strayed from my point... which was what? Oh, yes, one cannot, IMO, replace a critical ingredient to the chemistry of a band, Iconic or not, really and have it still be the same band under the same name because its not. Paul Rodgers and now Adam Lambert will be pulling singing duty for the Brian May/Roger Taylor Band no more. It may rock, but it won't be Queen.

Looks like the plot thickens:
 
http://coolalbumreview.com/?p=18296
 
Now we’ve had an update to the story that ran yesterday. Now Mr. Lambert is saying that he was taken out of context?  Wait, he day write. “Being asked to front Queen is the best thing that can possibly happen.”  So Adam, so if this is not going to happen, does that mean that you were asked and passed, or does it mean that you were not asked after all?
 
Here is what Adam tweeted on the subject: “Oooh them clever reporters takin my quotes outta context…. I haven’t confirmed any guest appearances. I was talking about the EMA’S,” he tweeted, without directly referencing the report in question. “That being said, I’m truly flattered by your jump to such glorious conclusions mr journalist!! “
 
If you missed the original story it appears below..
————————————————————————————————————
Well I’ve heard that there were rumors about this but it appears that yes, it is going to happen. Adam Lambert, he of American Idol fame is going to tour with Queen as their new front person.
 
No official annoncement has been made by the band as of yet, but Adam himself broke the news via the British tabloid The Star. (He never looked like the type of guy that could keep a secret.
 
“The intention is to pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some f—ing great songs,” he said. “It’s to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that Freddie would have been proud of” was his quote.
 
Speculation began after Mr. Lambert appeared on the European version of the MTV Awards with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor.  Original bass player John Deacon has not been part of any of the reunions.
 
“After the EMAs, I heard faint little slithers of a backlash from people saying: ‘You can’t replace Freddie Mercury.’ But I already knew that,” said Lambert. “There’s no intention in my mind of replacing Freddie. That’s impossible. The way I’m choosing to view it is that it’s a great honour and one I’m in no way going to shirk … Being asked to front Queen is the best thing that can possibly happen.”
 
Paul Rogers of Free and Bad Company fame fronted the band on its last tour in 2005.
 
Tour information has not been announced nor has the band confirmed Adam Lambert’s hiring.
– Larry Carta

FWIW, here is the guy who won the audition for Freddie for Roger Taylor's Queen Extravaganza tribute tour - recently announced:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dBDYIgmeaA&feature=related
 
He's pretty good.  There are several youtube clips of him singing Queen songs in the audition process.
 
“The Queen Extravaganza will not be a traditional tribute show,” says Taylor. “It’s a brand-new show specially designed to enable fans to celebrate the music of Queen in a heart-stopping event.”
 
The Queen Extravaganza will bring the glorious music and live experience of Queen to a new generation of fans in cities across North America in 2012.
 
“It’s going to be spectacular” says Taylor. “It’s going to be very visual, there are going to be some shocks and some tremendous surprises. It will be a rock celebration in the royal tradition. ”

Beginning September 19th, Taylor will launch a North American talent search via this site, www.queenextravaganza.com, to find players for a 5-piece band and three vocalists who will carry the tour.  Taylor is fully hands-on in the creation of The Extravaganza, taking the role of producer and music director.
 
Coming on board to ensure the touring show will match the design and excitement of Queen at its best will be such rock tour heavyweights as stage designer Mark Fisher (U2, AC/DC, Muse, The Rolling Stones, Cirque de Soleil)  and lighting designer Rob Sinclair (Adele, Vampire Weekend, Goldfrapp, Peter Gabriel),  and for the auditions, Roger Taylor and a panel of renowned musicians.

beaverteeth92


...Roger:  "Radio Ga Ga", "A Kind of Magic", "These Are the Days of Our Lives", the vast majority of "The Show Must Go On." ...
 

I thought Brian May wrote The Show Must Go On..?

I see the story ran in the Daily Star.  I can tell you that that is one of the worst papers in England (I won't put the word 'news' in front of it).  I would say there's a fair chance they did run quotes out of context, or possibly even made up huge chunks of it.  They do that a lot.

Adam Lambert has poor taste in the use of vibrato. He annoys me. Marc Martel is a better singer imho. Not because he sounds more like freddy, but he makes better choices vocally. Queen should tour with a bunch of singers. I could take Adam for 1 or 2 songs, but not a whole show. And definitely not as a new front man.

liquidrsr


Yeah, they really should drop the Queen name.... but it's not the end of the world.

 
I'll never understand why some people are so hung up on a name.
 
I mean, is anyone going to think, when they buy a ticket for this hypothetical tour with Adam Lambert, that Freddie Mercury is going to be the singer?  Would any Queen fan not know who is in the band?
 
Who cares what they call it?  Just make good music.

PaulEMoz


I see the story ran in the Daily Star.  I can tell you that that is one of the worst papers in England (I won't put the word 'news' in front of it).  I would say there's a fair chance they did run quotes out of context, or possibly even made up huge chunks of it.  They do that a lot.

If you actually read the "article," they basically retract the whole thing right at the end!  The headline implies that Lambert is the new singer, but then at the bottom of the article, it just says that Lambert is going to sing with Queen just for that one gig.  Big Whoop. lol
 
I'd be fine with Queen going with a new singer - even if it's Lambert - he does kind of annoy me with the vibrato but he IS still a good singer in general.  IMO, not acknowledging that is like saying JP is a bad guitarist because he 'plays too many notes.'  
 
Also, +1,000,000 on what Bails said.  Those guys own the name, let them tour.  No one is going to be under the impression Freddie is back from the dead!

Moog


Why don't they just ask George Michael??  The guy absolutely sounded amazing during '39 and Somebody to Love at the Concert for Freddie.  I know the guy has drum problems, but he is the logical choice for me!  Paul Rodgers wasn't a good fit.  They need someone with an excellent range, not someone who follows up each vocal stanza with "Baby!"  Paul is great for Free and Bad Company, but please don't make Freddie roll over more times than he can count.  John Deacon is looking like a genius these days.

George Michael was indeed amazing. However I don't think Freddie is rolling in his grave because of Paul Rodgers, Freddie was a big fan of him. It is true Paul Rodgers doesn't have the vocal range of Freddie or George Michael, but I think that is why they chose not to play certain songs. He sings the songs he can, and he does those with enough power and passion. I enjoyed myself very much during the two tours he joined Queen.
 
Regarding Lambert I can only say I wish they tour Europe extensively. Lambert has the crazy personality needed to stand in the footsteps of someone like Freddie. Of course no one can replace Freddie, he was unique. But some one (Lambert in this case) can surely fill the gap he left for a big part. A new singer just has to understand he will not be replacing but merely be filling in a part of the singing.

Traveller69

Moog


Why don't they just ask George Michael??  The guy absolutely sounded amazing during '39 and Somebody to Love at the Concert for Freddie.  I know the guy has drum problems, but he is the logical choice for me!  Paul Rodgers wasn't a good fit.  They need someone with an excellent range, not someone who follows up each vocal stanza with "Baby!"  Paul is great for Free and Bad Company, but please don't make Freddie roll over more times than he can count.  John Deacon is looking like a genius these days.

George Michael was indeed amazing. However I don't think Freddie is rolling in his grave because of Paul Rodgers, Freddie was a big fan of him. It is true Paul Rodgers doesn't have the vocal range of Freddie or George Michael, but I think that is why they chose not to play certain songs. He sings the songs he can, and he does those with enough power and passion. I enjoyed myself very much during the two tours he joined Queen.

 
I wouldn't say that so quickly about Paul Rodgers; he has a far better range than some of the Bad Company stuff would have you believe.  He did very well with most of the Queen catalogue; not saying he is as good as Freddie, but then again, you're comparing him to a guy that is probably considered by many (myself included) as the greatest singer of the modern rock era.  The tribute show made a mockery of many singers I thought were good before that.  I thought the Paul Rodgers (who, full disclosure, is probably in my top 3 favorite singers of all time) gig was a fun, entertaining thing, which is exactly what it was supposed to be.
 

Regarding Lambert...

I can't understand all the hate before he has even sung a note.  His "vibrato"?  How do you know he will even use that in this gig?  Look at Gary Cherone in Amazing Journey, or better yet, Joe Lynn Turner in Deep Purple and Ian Astbury in the Doors (or whatever they are calling themselves now).  Neither used all of their personal "vocal tricks" because the gig didn't call for that.  I'm not a professional singer (though I've sang in bands in college) and maybe it's my limited creativity, but a lot of times the material will call for certain things (or not).
 
As for the name, well, other than Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, not sure I could name a big name act that actually agrees with the sentiments here.  The name is almost always bigger than the components of the name, even if the individual I thiband members don't agree.  Though I will admit that singers are a different animal; I can only name two bands (Van Halen and AC/DC) that were as big or arguably bigger after a change from their "classic" singer.  Most go the way of Maiden or Priest, i.e. arenas to clubs, when trying to continue after the loss of a singer.   I think this phenomenon ("It's not [BAND] without [My favorite member]") is a fan-based thing, and not really reflective of the nature of the band dynamic (though admittedly the DT situation flies in the face of everything I am trying to say here). 
 
Me? I never got to see Freddie except on video, and it doesn't cut the mustard; I would go see this just to try to get an inkling of what it was like.  Freddie is in my top 3 of artists I would have liked to have seen live but didn't (Elvis and John Lennon are the other two). 

I for one would love to hear Adam in Queen. Thank God for being open minded with talent.

Agree with Stadler's and Monk's last two posts.
 
Re: Paul Rodgers, I really liked May/Taylor's decision there.  By bringing Rodgers aboard, it was obvious that they weren't trying to replace Freddie.  But, they still wanted to perform as Queen (and really, why shouldn't they?  They spent most of their adult lives building that name), and this gave them an opportunity to do that with a talented, professional musician who brought something new to the table.  I'll admit that I was disappointed with Cosmos Rocks as much as anybody, but the live stuff was very cool, from what I've heard/saw.

Live in the Ukraine is massive.  Love that disc.  Get a copy if you can.