By Adia Miller

The History

A 1970’s British rock band, Queen was composed of lead vocalist/pianist Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. With certified classics such as Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You, and The Show Must Go On, as well as the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody named after their six-minute long rock opera ballad, the iconic four never strayed too far from the public’s eye, and continue to have a long lasting effect on music and pop culture, even after Mercury’s tragic death in 1991 and Deacon’s subsequent departure.

Made in Heaven, the band’s final album released in 1995, would end the band’s introduction of new music. Unlike some bands who have a revolving door of members (Guns and Roses, Black Sabbath, and Megadeth), Queen will always be known as the four who made it what it was.

Even with varying interims, the band was never disbanded. Deacon remained with the band officially till 1997, at which point he retired from both the band and the public eye after only appearing sporadically post the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, while Taylor and May remained fairly active and even continued to perform as they pleased.

Lambert Joins Queen

In 2009, Adam Lambert was launched into stardom through his introduction on the TV show American Idol, where he sang Bohemian Rhapsody. After people called May’s attention to it, he and Taylor would end up making guest appearances on the show and meeting the younger man.

As May wrote in his book Queen 3-D, “It was really blindingly obvious that there was a chemistry between us and Adam.” Unfortunately, Lambert was already contracted to other work post American Idol, but when the band and he found themselves scheduled to perform at the same awards show in Belfast, they got together and performed live for the first time. And it just worked.

It’s now been ten years since Lambert joined the band as an extension, as he would remark during his Detroit performance.

Queen’s decision to pick up a new vocalist was a controversial decision that could have ended really great or really horrible. Mercury is to this day a beloved, iconic figure, and bringing in someone to replace him would have never gone over well with the millions of people who worship the fallen rock star.

Luckily, Lambert never tried to be Freddie.  Right from his start on American Idol, he was a phenomenal singer with a captivating stage presence. While he may delight in statement glittery outfits with platform boots, enjoy vocal runs, and strut around stage like he owns the world, his entire performance is Adam, not Freddie.

The tour was titled “Queen with Adam Lambert.” He’s not so much a member as a welcome extension of the band fans get to delight in seeing whenever he shows up. He may change a pitch once or twice in a song from Freddie’s original version, but Lambert has been very wise and considerate when taking on this role, praising the great man that preceded him and giving heartfelt thanks to the Queen members and fandom. It’s clear from the first note that he is the perfect successor of Freddie Mercury. 

The Tour

On March 23, Queen’s official online newsletter announced the North American leg of their Rhapsody Tour, going from October 4 – November 12. The band wasn’t scheduled to stop in Ohio, but on the October 10, they played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

A sold out concert, every seat was filled with individuals from multiple generations, ready to see this iconic band live. Established early on that this was a Queen concert, there would be no works from May or Taylor’s individual careers, nor even Lamberts, as well as no opening band. Everyone was there to see Queen, and the band knew it well.

Before the stage lights even turned on, when the fans could just see slight movement behind a drum set and the faint outline of that iconic hair, the crowd was screaming their heads off. From the first view of the trio to the final bow, both the crowd and the band kept up a palpable energy that could only come from one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

Queen has seventeen more scheduled tour dates in North America, but tickets are selling fast.