Queen guitarist Brian May is raving about singer Adam Lambert’s abilities in a new video intereview with Japan’s Universal Music.
"Adam is so much like Freddie [Mercury] in many ways," says May. "But Adam doesn't have to try to be like Freddie, which is the nice thing. He doesn't imitate; he just does his own thing."
Queen first teamed up with Lambert in 2009 to perform the band's rock anthem "We Are the Champions" on American Idol's season's eight finale. Lambert and Queen partnered again in 2011 at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast. In the summer of 2012 they performed their first live concerts together with three sold-out shows in the UK at London's Hammersmith Apollo as well as concert appearances in Russia, Ukraine and Poland..while 2014 saw the pairing tour the world.
"We didn't look for this guy, [but] suddenly he's there, and he can sing all of those lines,” May continues. “See, they’re difficult songs to sing, Queen songs. There's too much range. So many people can't sing them in the original key — even if they are good singers. Adam comes along, he can do it easy. He can do it in his sleep!”
“He can sing higher than even Freddie could in a live situation. So I think Freddie would look at this guy and think, 'Hmm… Yeah. Okay.' There would be a kind of, 'Hmm... You bastard. You can do this.' And Adam also has this presentation, I think. He is a showman. He doesn't have to try. He is a natural, in the same way that Freddie was."
"Some people walk on a stage and they're able to do this, and they're able to connect with an audience. And Freddie had it, without a doubt, and Adam has it also. So for a band this is very important. Everybody's doing their thing, but you need that connection, you need that channel, and Adam is great."
Queen + Adam Lambert will wrap up 2014 with an intimate UK show on New Year’s Eve that will be broadcast by BBC One.
The concert at Central Hall Westminster – close to the iconic landmark of Big Ben – will see just 2000 fans on hand to watch the legendary band ring in 2015.
“Queen + Adam Lambert Rock Big Ben Live” will take place in the build up to the clock striking midnight to see in 2015 and continue after the spectacular, world famous fireworks display along the river Thames, which will also be shown live on BBC One.
Queen + Adam Lambert will launch a European tour January 13 in Newcastle, England, with 8 UK shows followed by 14 dates on the continent.
See also:
VIDEO: Queen and Adam Lambert hold press conference in Berlin
Queen and Adam Lambert to play intimate UK show on New Year’s Eve
VIDEO: Queen and Adam Lambert perform on The X Factor UK
AUDIO: Queen premiere unreleased Freddie Mercury song for AIDS campaign
Search Queen at hennemusic
