Brian May discussed Adam Lambert’s run with Queen during a backstage interview at a James Burton tribute event in 2019. AXS TV uploaded the video featuring Sammy Hagar on YouTube this week. May’s words read:
“Adam brings fresh views on things. He’s not afraid to say: ‘Why don’t we try it this way or that way?’ so the songs are not fossils. They’re alive and evolving with Adam, which is great, and sometimes he blows my mind.”
He compared Lambert to Freddie Mercury by saying:
“We do ‘Who Wants To Live Forever,’ which is a song which Freddie would do at times, but if he felt a little off-color, that was going to be a little bit too much strain for Freddie… you know, Adam will always do it, and always pull it off, and he will take it higher and higher.”
Lambert Wants To Keep Mercury’s Music Alive
Adam Lambert joined Queen in 2011 after his appearance in ‘American Idol.’ The band wrapped up their Rhapsody Tour 2023 with the new vocalist in February 2024.
Lambert also released a solo album called ‘High Drama’ during the tour. When asked if he’d ever get tired of performing with Queen in an Advocate chat about his record, the singer shared:
“Oh, not at all. Queen is about lifting people up, and the audience goes through the roof at every concert as we perform those classic big hits. It never gets old, and it’s an honor to keep Freddie’s music alive. And I just love seeing the guys like Brian [May] and Roger [Taylor] light up when we’re performing. The whole experience is awesome.”
The Current Lineup Is Not Likely To Make A Studio Record
Queen released two live albums with Lambert as the frontman: ‘Live in Japan’ in 2016 and ‘Live Around the World’ in 2020. Yet, Brian May cast doubt over the idea of a studio album with the current lineup. He told ‘Vermilion County First’ last year:
“We’re always open to something happening. It’s just that we have busy lives now. We don’t quite have the ability to work 24 hours a day like we used to when we were half this age.”
May previously mentioned feeling tired from decades of touring and recording. He also signaled a potential retirement on social media a few months ago but didn’t make an official announcement.