I don't think we have this.
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Submitted by Sally Bartlett on Mon, 08/25/2014 - 21:50
Now that Adam Lambert is touring with iconic band Queen as their "new boy" and packing houses and getting rave reviews everywhere they go, the comparison between Adam and Freddie Mercury continues. Although Adam has said over and over, with many music people, reporters and analysts agreeing, that he is NOT trying to mimic, take the place of or copy Freddie, the debate continues.
Let's do our own comparison of the two and first point out their similarities and reasons why Adam, who was only 9 when Freddie died of AIDS in 1991, is a very good replacement for the second act. Glamberts: I do not say that negatively or take Adam's name in vain, let's all agree (and I am Glambert number 444, that Freddie and Queen were the ultimate FIRST act). Freddie is gone; Queen believed the show was over; along comes Adam Lambert and now THE SHOW CAN GO ON!
SIMILARITIES
If you were to read a test question like this: what gay male singer had a flamboyant charm, a killer voice, and glamorous theatrics? He could also display androgynous looks, dance around stage with campy melodrama mixing magic, make-up and costumes with a unique flair. He was hugely theatrical, and possessed over the edge crowd pleasing antics. Who would you guess? Well names like David Bowie, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Adam Lambert would come to mind, but the answer fits both Freddie and Adam to a tee because of the killer voice. The use of past tense would indicate Freddie, and Adam was better at looking androgynous (first album cover) but present or past, they both have/had all those things in common. When I recently saw the duet between Adam and Freddie on the Queen + Adam Lambert tour, via recorded video on the large screen and live in your face Adam, it was a breathtaking moment for me. Their voices ended in perfect blended harmony.
DIFFERENCES
One of the biggest differences between Adam and Freddie is their view on their homosexuality. Adam is the first openly gay singer to bring his uncensored, gay perspective to American mainstream Pop music. He is an active philanthropist working for and receiving awards from GLADD, Equality CA, Hope of LA and other causes involving the fight against AIDS, for marriage equality and to help people in need. Because of the times, Freddie was private and hid his sexuality from the public, thinking it would poison minds and hurt the band. He had openly dated women before he chose a man for his life's partner who was with him at the end. He sequestered himself from public events during the end months, even when asked to support GLBT causes and help with public awareness of the disease. He released a statement only two days before his death of Bronchopneumonia caused by AIDS.
Freddie played piano and guitar; Adam does not. Freddie was a smoker and dropped some of the higher falsetto notes late in his career due to the abuse. Adam does not smoke and has been known to have such a healthy voice that he once went 113 shows without vocal rest. And he does NOT sing falsetto or anything false; experts have pointed out that his high notes are from FULL head or chest voice. Being born three decades apart, their musical influences overlap the same time periods somewhat, but Adam lists David Bowie, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin and Queen, Freddie gives credit to those same names plus Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger who he actually performed with. Freddie had no formal training at all, while Adam was put into musical theatre at a very young age because he was an energetic child and enjoyed performing and singing as a young boy and had a vocal coach.
VOCAL RANGES
Here is where it gets tough; like comparing oranges to apples. Because Freddie Mercury had a long career and he is gone, more definitive statements have been made about his singing range. Most claim that he could sing four octaves, from low F2 to high F6. He is stated to have been a baritone naturally but could sing as a lyric tenor. Adam Lambert has been reported to be a lyric tenor naturally but can sing just under four octaves with varying ratings of low B2, B5 and C3 to high of B5, C6 and E2 from his American Idol performances. Since then he has been reported to be in a G to E5 category, so it is not an exact science with his voice. But here is an interesting fact, according to Operatic coaches: a male tenor's voice is not fully mature until around age 36. Adam Lambert is only 32! He may evolve into greatness that we can only imagine. His fans faithfully await.
SUMMARY
Freddy Mercury WAS a great singer, performer, and entertainer with a deep throaty rock growl, vibrant tenor tones and a high pitched countertenor and falsetto. With no formal training, he could glide effortlessly from one register to another. He performed an estimated 700 Queen concerts and the 1985 Live Aid concert was voted as the greatest live performance in history of Rock Music.
Adam Lambert IS a great singer, performer and entertainer with a perfectly pitched, trained quality to his voice that seems unlimited. Bernard Telsey, the casting director of Wicked, where Adam was a ensemble member and understudy for Fiyero, pre-American Idol, said his voice was "amazing". Rob Cavallo, record producer stated that Adam "can sing every note on a guitar" and his range was "unlimited". David Stroud an LA vocal teacher who coached Adam for the 2010 Glam Nation Tour said he can do "extreme things with his voice" and the rocker Meatloaf has put Adam in his "top three" best singers in the world and the only male. He put Adam up there with Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston. Queen member Brian May says his sensitivity, depth, maturity and awesome range with power makes his jaw drop. Queen drummer (who was there with Freddie) quoted in 2012 that Adam possesses "the best range I've ever heard". Pharrell Williams likened Adam's voice to a siren with Steve Winwood-Peter Cetera range. And of course according to the over 5,000 members of Adam's fan club, the Glamberts, we think he is the best of the best!
So can Adam do the Fandango? You bet! Does he have huge shoes to fill? From his very own lips: "yes – and they are fabulous!"
