Adam Lambert is a popular singer and composer these days. In 2011, he replaced Paul Rodgers, who had previously succeeded the late Freddie Mercury, as lead vocalist for the renowned rock band Queen. But here’s a little-known fact about Lambert: he first rose to prominence after appearing on the sixth season of American Idol. After coming in second in the program, he went on to become a popular musician with his 2009 debut album, “For Your Entertainment,” and subsequent solo projects.
If you watch Lambert’s American Idol audition years later, you’ll probably be astonished by the music he picked. Kara DioGuardi, the judge, asks, “What are you going to sing for us?” Lambert boldly embarks on a note-perfect version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” earning a yes from all four judges. Lambert had no clue that only a few years later, he’d be playing the same song with Queen on venues all over the world, establishing a stellar career.
Despite obtaining four yeses, Lambert’s audition seemed to cause some controversy among the judges, which is amusing. Simon Cowell and Kara got into a fight over Lambert’s dramatic flair, indicating that Cowell was not a fan of the singer. Paula Abdul praised Lambert as “brilliant,” while Randy Jackson acknowledged Lambert’s potential as a vocalist, saying, “I think it’s time for someone like you.”
The judges undoubtedly would have approved Lambert’s audition if they had known he would soon be a full-fledged member of Queen, performing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ nightly with his own ‘theatrical’ flare. One example is Lambert’s 2020 performance with Queen in Japan. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was clearly on the setlist, and he gave a stunning rendition of the song while also paying emotional tribute to Freddie Mercury midway through.
Fans of Queen believe that Freddie Mercury will never be replaced, but they also believe that Lambert has done an excellent job as the lead singer since Mercury left. The warm response Lambert received during his 2020 concert in Japan demonstrated this. Watching his American Idol audition and learning about his journey to becoming Queen’s main vocalist is a fascinating experience in and of itself.