Adam Lambert – the man who would be Queen
Idon’t suppose Adam Lambert was ever considered for the role of Freddie Mercury in the troubled biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (on which filming was temporarily suspended this month). Bug-eyed Mr Robot actor Rami Malek landed the part (previously pencilled in for Sasha Baron Cohen, Dominic Cooper and Ben Whishaw). The lupine Malek has a physical appearance quite well matched with the young Mercury, while Lambert bears far greater resemblance to another famous replacement Queen vocalist. With his chunky good looks, trimmed black beard, swept-back blow-dried quiff and penchant for giant sunglasses, he’s actually more of a George Michael lookalike. Only, unlike Michael (in his superstar years) and Mercury himself, Lambert is open about his sexuality and more flamboyant even than Freddie.
“I’m up here in the gayest suit you’ll ever see in your life,” he proudly announced at London’s O2 Arena, flaunting about in a shiny pink, floral brocaded, shirtless three-piece ensemble accessorised with ludicrously high-heeled black and red platform boots. It was one of 10 costume changes, this one worn to accompany comically camp renditions of Killer Queen, Don’t Stop Me Now and Bicycle Race, during the latter of which he pedalled about the guitar shaped stage on a pink tricycle, tossing out flowers to admirers. “I know what many of you must be thinking: ‘He’s no Freddie, that American t---!’ ” Lambert jokily suggested, before confessing complete agreement with this notion. “There will only be one rock God named Freddie!”
There was, predictably, a huge cheer as a picture of Mercury appeared on screen. Yet it was all a bit panto, a theatrical form deeply embedded in Queen’s subversion of macho rockand-roll tropes. Lambert is the incumbent in the role of Queen frontman and, after five years of performances with the British rock legends, he has really made the role his own. Spotted by Brian May on American Idol in 2009, 35-year-old Lambert has been touring with the surviving members of Queen since 2012 (between stints promoting his own successful solo pop career). As audiences have warmed to this combination, they have graduated from theatres to arenas, where they can exploit the over-the-top production values of their theatrical instincts.
It helps that Queen are one of those rare groups in which every member counted, a band featuring four great songwriters, all masters of their instruments. Bassist John Deacon retired in 1997, but Brian May is justly celebrated as one of rock’s most distinctive virtuoso guitarists and can hold the stage for long, extended solo pieces employing dazzling, spacey effects. The formerly baby-faced Roger Taylor looks more like a portly, white-bearded Orson Welles with every passing year but remains a formidable drummer and charismatic vocalist. The old guys handle their solo spots with aplomb but the show only really quickens the blood when Lambert takes the spotlight.
With fantastic players, a dazzling stage design, an almost unparalleled catalogue of classic songs, and an outstanding frontman, Queen still offer one of the most entertaining nights of rock ’n’ roll to be seen and heard anywhere. Freddie Mercury’s presence is maintained in brief snatches of vocal and a sweet video duet with Brian May playing live on Love of My Life. But there is no sense of settling for second best when Lambert takes to the stage in gold cloak and crown. Absolutely powering through We Will Rock You and leading a mass singalong of We Are The Champions, Lambert is the man who would be Queen.