Taking to the stage in front of a sold-out crowd Oct. 15, Queen + Adam Lambert kicked off the first of two nights at TD Garden for “The Rhapsody Tour.”
Although more than half a century has passed since Queen first formed in 1970, and frontman Freddie Mercury passed away in 1991, the band is still popular and performing on a regular basis.
Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor are still as talented as ever, with their drumming and guitar playing captivating the crowd and earning fierce cheers and applause. Adam Lambert, who has been singing with Queen since 2012 after gaining attention for singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” on “American Idol,” proved that he’s the perfect musician to sing in place of Mercury.
Lambert entered the stage wearing a cape and shiny boots that were several inches tall. He changed costumes several times throughout the night, often donning pieces that were entirely sequined.
Lambert’s impressive vocals stole the show, with his stunning vocal range and control evident in every song on the setlist. Mercury was known for his four-octave vocal range and Lambert had no problems keeping up with the tough notes in some songs.
“Roger and I have seen literally thousands of singers in our lifetimes…but we’ve never seen or heard anything like Adam,” May wrote in his book “Queen in 3-D.”
Part of what makes Lambert’s performance so great is his humility. He paid respects to May and Taylor throughout the show, pointing to them and dancing during their instrumental solos. He spoke to the crowd, saying it was an honor to take the stage with May and Taylor and that he and everyone else had Mercury on their minds.
“Let’s keep this party going for him,” Lambert said early on in the show.
Lambert in no way tries to replace Mercury or his legacy, instead adding his own style to Queen, which has earned respect from everyone.
“He’s never attempted to be Freddie, and I think that’s what endears him to the fans, apart from the fact that he is an extraordinary singer with an extraordinary presence,” May said in “Queen in 3-D.”
May and Taylor each got their own time in the spotlight, with May performing “Love Of My Life” acoustically as a tribute to Mercury. The crowd held up phone flashlights as he sang, which May took note of.
“Look at all these matches,” he said. When the crowd laughed, he continued, “Believe me, they used to be matches.”
May also performed a lengthy electric guitar solo and Taylor a drum solo. The band performed for over two hours, playing all of their greatest hits including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Another One Bites The Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
In another touching tribute to Mercury, the band left the stage and a video of Mercury singing his famous “Ay-Oh’s” played, with the crowd responding back. Queen and Lambert then returned to perform an encore, closing out the night with “We Will Rock You,” a reprise of “Radio Ga Ga” and “We Are The Champions.”
53 years later, Queen is still electrifying crowds, and the addition of Lambert as lead vocalist has allowed new generations to discover Queen’s music. The talent of May, Taylor and Lambert is incredible, continuing to carry on the legacy that Mercury left behind.
“I always think that Freddie, with a wicked smile, would say something like “I hate you, Madam Lambert,” because even Freddie would have been gobsmacked at his range and his ability to reinterpret these songs which the four of us originally created together,” May said in his book.
