Iconic Brit Rock Band Queen Performs with Adam Lambert 

It was a sight to behold: a vast sea of Queen fans, ranging in age from teenaged goths in glam attire to boomer moms with Queen tiaras, long-haired granddads sporting 70s Queen tees (bought on eBay!) and little kids milling around wearing Queen badges and other memorabilia. 

They were gathered for the Queen+Adam Lambert Concert at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena (capacity 20,000). "It's a once in a lifetime show," said Charlie (last name unknown), a long-haired aging rocker standing in line behind me, perspiration pouring off his face in 112 degrees heat!  We were waiting for the arena to open. After melting outdoors for half an hour, we were allowed inside only to be blasted with such cold temps, you needed a blanket to prevent body and brain freeze - good thing I came prepared!

Living up to the Legendary Freddie!

I had my doubts about the show. The notion of yesteryear bands carrying on after their larger-than-life frontmen have passed is usually a bad idea. Freddie Mercury (who died of AIDS in 1991) was easily one of the greatest lead singers in musical history; anyone taking his place would be a pale imitation!  

But Adam Lambert (of American Idol fame) lived up to the challenge! He has the looks, the voice, the charisma, and the stage presence, mixed in with a dash of humility. During the show, Lambert sashayed to the front of the walkway and said that nobody could replace a talent as big as Mercury's; he felt like a fan who had the honor and privilege to sing with one of his favorite bands. It was a smart way to break the ice and build instant rapport with the audience. 

"Love of My Life"

Halfway through the show, guitarist Brian May also had a touching moment when he paid tribute to Freddie. Playing a solo acoustic rendition of "Love Of My Life," a video clip of Mercury singing the song appeared on an overhead screen. With May on the left of the stage and Freddie's image singing on the right, it looked like they were performing together again; you could see May brushing away a tear. 

Drummer Roger Taylor and the rest of the players onstage also paid their respects to Freddie throughout the night. Every song inspired a singalong, and the crowd hooted, hollered and applauded Lambert and May whenever they sauntered down the raised long walkway that cut through the middle of the arena floor. 

Cherry-Headed Lambert!

With his hair dyed bright red, wearing full-on makeup, huge shades, multiple earrings, fingerless gloves, high-heeled platform boots, and an American flag vest, Lambert went through a dozen or more costume changes, including skintight magenta leather pants! Each wardrobe change was equally striking. Freddie of course used to take off his shirt and often performed in white trousers or white shorts. Adam may be better looking but lacked some of Freddie's grit and flamboyance! 

The enthusiasm of the band was evident. They played each song with precision. Lambert's voice, May's guitar, and Taylor's drumming were crystal clear. What was lacking perhaps were the backing vocals which were too soft. In earlier recordings, the band's robust harmonies were one of their most distinctive qualities. 

Giant Robot

A dynamic video show added visual flair and extreme noise intensity - to the extent, I had to put on ear plugs! A 3D projection using a giant red-eyed robot from the band's "News of the World" record cover appeared throughout like a mascot: gesturing and waving a massive metal hand over the stage.  Every song had a different eye-catching projection on overhead screens. The robot's head rose from the floor at one point to reveal Lambert perched on it, singing "Killer Queen."

Lambert has the vocal chops and the falsetto and hit all the high notes. On "Bohemian Rhapsody," he began the song; then, half-way through, the band's 70s visuals and vocals took over; it was another moment, and you could see many in the audience tearing up. Lambert came back to finish strongly. 

"Bohemian Rhapsody"

Considered one of the best songs ever written, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is unusually complex and encompasses rock, ballad and operetta. Freddie took five years to finish it. You need a stadium of 20,000 voices singing his words to appreciate his genius:

"I see a little silhouetto of a man,

Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?

Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very fright'ning. 

(Galileo.) Galileo. (Galileo.) Galileo. Galileo Figaro Magnifico.

I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me,

He's just a poor boy from a poor family.

Spare him his life from this monstrosity.

Easy come, easy go, will you let me go?

Bismillah! No, we will not let you go

(Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go."

Queen’s current tour coincides with the 40th anniversary of the band’s “News of the World,” an album that was released before Lambert was born; "I was “negative 5," he wryly noted!  Since 2012, Adam has been performing with the group to sold out shows worldwide including an extensive U.S. tour in 2014. At 35, he is about half the age of May (69) and Taylor (68)!

25-Song Set Singalong

The acoustics in the stadium were excellent. Every word and note carried. I wondered why an aging 70s British band would be so popular but it's the quality of the songs that make the band great. It was fun for the crowd to sing along to the 25-song set, including classics like "Somebody To Love," "Don't Stop Me Now," Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "I Want it All," "Radio Ga Ga," and the two anthems, "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions."  

Queen+Adam Lambert played all the songs that people wanted to hear, and played them with verve and energy; they crushed it!  When you have a song catalog as incredible as Queen's, why retire?  

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Queen Trivia:

Queen is the only group where every original member wrote at least one tune that was a chart-topper.  All four band mates have been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame including singer Mercury, guitarist May, drummer Taylor and bassist John Deacon.

Ten years ago, former Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers (one of the top rock voices of his era) fronted for the band but that collaboration was nowhere as successful as Lambert's. 

Queen's "We Will Rock You," one of London's longest running musical shows, has won the Olivier Audience Award for best musical, the only award voted for entirely by the public. The show is worth a visit!

Many people are unaware of Freddie Mercury's Parsi (Zoroastrian) origins. He was born in Zanzibar (off the coast of Tanzania) and studied at Panchgani in India before going to England. His real name was Farrokh Balsara (which translates to mercury)!

Freddie had buck teeth! The four extra teeth in the back of his mouth pushed those at the front forward. He was afraid that his unique and sonorous voice would be negatively impacted if he had his teeth fixed! 

Ludi Joseph

Las Vegas, June 24, 2017

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