10.12.14 What a long, strange trip it's been

Photo in the banner is (of course) an old photo from VH1 Divas December 2012. I picked it because it fit my theme for today.




What a long, strange trip it's been
10.12.14 by Q3

I feel like we are at one of those moments when the momentum is shifting. No idea why. But I felt a bit like looking back at the part 5 years!! And all I could think about was a line from a Grateful Dead song. So allow me to kick off Sunday with a bit of Grateful Dead.

Grateful Dead 7-24-87 Oakland Stadium Oakland CA

Note: This is a whole concert that does not include "Trucking", the song quoted above.

youtu.be/m92FGd4tAhY

And just to complete the thought, here is "Truckin' (Remastered Version)" by Grateful Dead

youtu.be/QuyaK0hGxWk


Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurres to me What a long, strange trip it's been.



“Take it all in, Adam”
10.12.14 by Q3

In January 2009, Adam Lambert’s Idol audition was broadcast and almost immediately people started forming expectations about how he would become an international star – many thinking it would happen almost overnight. It didn’t happen overnight but after years of extremely hard work, I think it is safe to say Adam is well on his way to being an international star. The next segment of the Queen + Adam Lambert which takes

I will not rehash the high points of Adam’s career so far – just let me say that it all seems to be adding up to a new level of international fame and recognition. It seems to me that finally everything is aligning for him.

"One of the most legendary bands of all times together with one of the best singers of our time - this is an event one should not miss."
Pepper Magazine, October 2014 (image of article posted below)

Recently, I noticed that Adam’s name pops up all over the place…even in some unexpected places like this article about Danny Gokey topping the Billboard Contemporary Christian music sales charts with his new album, Hope In Front Of Me:

“(Danny) Gokey's album Hope in Front of Me debuted on June 23. The 11-track album features production from award winning producers Bernie Herms (Natalie Grant, Ruben Studdard, Barbara Streisand and Andrea Bocelli) Keith Thomas (Amy Grant, BeBe and CeCe Winans) and Josh Crosby (Cher, Owl City, Adam Lambert, Britt Nicole and Mat Kearney).”
Powersource.com, October 10, 2014

Note: Josh Crosby and Robert Marvin produced "Pop That Lock".

Or the dismissal of a lawsuit against iTunes:

“Herskowitz brought his $5 million lawsuit in 2012, alleging that Apple had likely defrauded countless customers by billing twice for songs purchased in iTunes, and that the company's no-refunds/no-returns policy nixed any chance of refunds. The double-purchase that inspired Herskowitz's action: Adam Lambert's "Whataya Want From Me."
Billboard, October 8, 2014

And about every article posted in the run-up to National Coming Out Day.

I knew Adam had finally achieve a level of fame and recognition that makes him a “star” last week when I saw a reference to Queen + Adam Lambert that defined it as a “supergroup”. Not that Adam was performing with Supergroup Queen, but that Queen + Adam Lambert is a supergroup.

A supergroup. Not Adam performing with a supergroup, but Queen + Adam being a supergroup. It stopped me in my tracks.

The term supergroup is used two ways:

1. A music group whose members are already successful as solo artists or as part of other groups or well known in other professions. Usually used in the context of Rock and Pop Music, the term has been applied to other musical genres such as The Three Tenors in Opera.

2. As a way to refer to an extremely successful rock group.

Queen is most certainly a “supergroup” as in definition #2. There are many references about the Q+AL collaboration like “Adam Lambert To Tour With Supergroup Queen On US Summer Tour” and “American Idol runner-up and out singer, Adam Lambert, is to join UK supergroup QUEEN, on the European leg of their Worldwide tour….” But around July, 2014, the references to “Supergroup” start to move from definition #2 to definition #1 – recognizing that Adam is a solo artist in his own right.

Then yesterday, ClevelMusic posted a countdown of 11 Breakout Stars From American Idol – and, of course, Adam in on the list – and they referred to him as a “superstar”. Here is the Adam part. (The full video is posted below, but I just wanted the best part!)


Link to download video

The Clevermusic report starts off with the normal Adam on American Idol stuff we’ve seen hundreds of times before, and then it goes on to mention his Grammy nomination, GLAAD Media Award, two chart topping albums, Pretty Little Liars, VH1 Divas and Glee, currently on tour with Queen, first out artist to get a #1 album in the US and Canada, and so on. I listened, it was all things I already knew, but near the end I realized that the list was varied, and long, and impressive, and even incomplete. I was impressing.

***

On a quiet Sunday, when it seems like nothing is happening, I think something is really happening. Slowly, steadily, Adam has become recognized and accepted as “one of the best singers of our time”. And even his critics start off with "he can really sing" or "he has impressive pipes" or some other reference to his vocal prowess.

I can hear Paula Abdul in my head saying, “Take it all in, Adam.” [Paula said this on American Idol after Adam’s epic performance of WWL on Season 8 Top 4 show.) Yes, indeed. “Take it all in, Adam.”



11 Breakout Stars from American Idol
From CleverMusic

youtu.be/AZAPGQXD4DI

Adam part is really good and at 10:17. Worth a watch!! (also posted above without the other stuff!)

Once again, more proof winning the Idol vote does not always matter - only 5 of 13 winners made this list.

Not in a countdown order - this is just the sequence in the video:

1 Kelly Clarkson (#1 on Season 1)
2 Katharine McPhee (#2 on Season 5)
3 Kelly Pickler (#6 on Season 5)
4 Jordan Sparks (#1 on Season 6)
5 Phillip Phillips (#1 on Season 11)
6 Carrie Underwood (#1 on Season 4)
7 Scotty McCreery (#1 on Season 10)
8 Chris Daughtry (#4 on Season 5)
9 ADAM (#2 on Season 8)
10 Jennifer Hudson (#7 on Season 3)
11 Ryan Seacrest (seems like an odd one to me, but it is actually true -- he could be the biggest star from Idol)



Looking Back: Live Proud Finale 2013
10.12.14 by Q3

Very few details about tomorrow night’s 2014 AT&T Live Proud Finale has been released yet. We know the date, time, place and that Adam will be there and perform. It will be a rare solo artist performance by Adam. The first since the New Year, 12.31.13 Thackerville, OK, Winstar World Casino & Resort (unless I’ve forgotten an Adam concert.)

How many songs will he perform? Will he be accompanied by members of his touring band? Will the setlist be similar to his recent solo concerts or will he add something new? Many, many questions, and no answers.

Instead of speculating about tomorrow, I thought I would look back at last year’s event.

On July 3, 2013 Adam was at the 2013 “Live Proud” Finale at the The Playhouse in Hollywood.

Timed to coincide with gay pride season, the AT&T “Live Proud” campaign encouraged the LGBTQ community and social media activists to raise awareness, empowerment, and of course pride. AT&T teamed up with Adam Lambert to honor The Trevor Project for its efforts in crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth.

In addition to pre-show promos which included a “Like” the Live Proud Facebook app page (for every “Like”, $1 was to be donated to The Trevor Project), funds were also raised for every retweet of an @att, @trevorproject or @adamlambert tweet that mentioned #attliveproud, to be donated to the Trevor Project.

Adam Lambert and AT&T presented a check for $50,000 to The Trevor Project, donated by AT&T, based on the number of Facebook Likes the Live Proud Facebook app page received prior to the event and the associated tweets in Twitter. AT&T had pledged $25,000 – $50,000 in funds to the LGBTQ lifeline.

AT&T Live Proud Finale setlisst
The Playhouse in Hollywood - July 3, 2013

1. IIHY
2. Music Again
3. WWFM
4. Shout
5. Outlaws of Love
6. Is This Love
7. Trespassing
8. Dragon Attack
9. Purple Haze
10. Are You Gonna Go My Way

TALC was on hand to record the whole show – and posted YouTube videos of the entire event capturing the fun and energy of this event. Can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than watch a great Adam Lambert show? So here you go:

youtu.be/pFFBakuy0kM?list=PLn-NHWcSWQPFe9X95wgAoTWiu6E4GF7S1



Pepper Magazine QAL article
Source: Adam Lambert Media ‏@devenlane

@adamlambert FANS, adamlambertmedia: 2014-10-11 Print: Pepper Magazin About Queen + Ada... www.adamlambertmedia.com/2014/10/2014-10-11-print-pepper-magazin-about.html?spref=tw … TY @al_Nachrichten XO

2014-10-11 Print: Pepper Magazin About Queen + Adam Lambert-Germany




25 Great Gay Moments In Music
By Billboard Staff | June 10, 2014 1:24 PM EDT



Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga with the Armed Forces at VMAs, Frank Ocean, Rob Halford of Judas Preist, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Mary Lambert and Madonna, and Conchita Wurst

Equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is today's defining civil rights issue, but the music world has always played a significant role in LGBT progress. With Pride Month here, Billboard reflects on 25 musical moments that have been pivotal in advancing LGBT understanding, acceptance and rights.

Adam Lambert Glams Up "Idol," Debuts at No. 1

(A video of Adam talking with Billboard at this link) 
www.billboard.com/articles/list/513476/25-great-gay-moments-in-music?page=0%2C1&utm_source=twitter 

While Adam Lambert didn't make his sexuality a major talking point while competing on "American Idol" -- he later came out in a Rolling Stone cover story -- "Idol" viewers and fans at home knew there was something special about the flamboyant contestant. Lambert was out in his personal and professional life well before he hit the "Idol" stage and made his mark as the contestant to watch. On the show, he fired up audiences with his glam rock stylings, sexed-up stage persona and multi-octave range. Though he finished the 2009 season of "Idol" in second place, he remained the season's breakout star and has since worked to become a role model for LGBT teens. His major label debut album "For Your Entertainment" earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the No. 10 Hot 100 hit "Whataya Want From Me," and his sophomore set, "Trespassing," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2012. -- Keith Caulfield


Coming Out Day: Die Besten Promi-Outings (MTV Germany)

Adam Lambert: 'Ich glaube nicht, dass ir twitpic.com/ecmucx


Adam featured on MTV Germany:

Coming Out Day: Die Besten Promi-Outings

Adam Lambert: 'Ich glaube nicht, dass irgendjemand überrascht ist zu hören, dass ich schwul bin. Ich bin stolz auf meine Sexualität. Ich umarme sie. Es ist nur eine weitere Facette von mir.'

Source: www.mtv.de/news/59640-coming-out-day-die-promi-outings


UPDATE: Translation of article by midwifespal!

Here's the link to the article on Devenlane's site: www.adamlambertmedia.com/2014/10/2014-10-11-print-pepper-magazin-about.html?spref=tw

Rock music in Germany is finally once again hitting a royal note. When front-man Freddie Mercury died of AIDS in 1991 at the age of just 45, it seemed that the glory days of the band Queen had also run out. Guitar player Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor did posthumously release some Freddie songs and dedicated themselves to a musical, but in their firm conviction that no one could take the place of their legendary singer, they tried neither to replace him nor to return to the stage is some form without him, at least until 2004.

For their induction into the British Music Hall of Fame, as well as for some concerts, the band got together with singer Paul Rodgers. While the cooperation lasted only until 2009, to the joy of rock fans worldwide Queen founding members May and Taylor had clearly now tasted blood. They kept their eyes open for new opportunities for musical projects, and they found luck, of all places, on a reality TV show. In 2009, they discovered Adam Lambert, who was widely whipping up a furor on American Idol, the US version of “Deutschland sucht den Superstar.” On the show, the at-that-time 27-year-old displayed an extraordinarily broad vocal range, and also presented himself as the kind of attention-hog who would make a great front-man for any band. Lambert’s qualities led May and Taylor to join him on the American Idol finale for a performance of the classic Queen song “We Are The Champions.” Not a few viewers would already then have thought that Adam Lambert, with his singing prowess and his stage-presence, was in prime position to step into the shoes of Freddie Mercury, at least for live concerts.

Three years later, it really was time. Queen and Lambert announced a live collaboration. Two concert-dates were publicized, and within one day the tickets were already grabbed up. The band and their new singer then did everything they could to live up to the hype. Adam Lambert proved that Freddie’s shoes were not too big for him. Though he did not try to copy him, in his extravagance, energy, and powerful voice he reminds one of the great Mercury.

Fans, at least, were thrilled and cried for more. Of course this was a call that May, Taylor, and Lambert, who with over five million tracks sold and a Grammy nomination has long been a superstar in the US in his own right, naturally couldn’t resist for long. This past fall they announced a joint tour. That will also bring Queen and Adam Lambert to Germany early next year. Amongst others, the Frankfurter Festhalle will get to hear the biggest hits like “Bohemian Rhapsondy,” “We Will Rock You,” “The Show Must Go On,” and “Who Wants To Live Forever.” One of the most legendary bands of all time with one of the best singers of our time: one wouldn’t want to miss that.

(the pull quote reads: “I’m sure Freddie would have approved of Adam”—Brian May)



Cool Stuff to Download

Great quality Queen + Adam Lambert audio!
10.12.14 by Q3

@alternaterra: I've ULed an excellent near-PRO audio recording of this year's Summer Sonic Osaka: www.adamwiki.org/wiki/2014-08-16_Summer_Sonic_2014_%28Queen_%2B_Adam_Lambert%29#Downloads (cont) tl.gd/n_1scpluo


Looking for Q+AL Downloads?

Check out this IDF (Idol Forums) section beautifully organized by vistadiva: idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=717817&st=0





Adamtopia Calendar

October 13, 2014: Adam performs at AT&T Live Proud Grand Finale

October 17, 2014: TV, Japan Summer Sonic 2014 Queen + Adam Lambert Day Two (Tokyo) airs on WOWOW Live Channel 192 at 23:00hr Japan Time (GMT+9)

October 22, 2014 TV, Japan Summer Sonic 2014 Queen + Adam Lambert Day Two (Tokyo) airs on WOWOW Live Channel 192 at 18:30hr Japan Time (GMT+9)


Source: @inesfuchsia

November 4, 2014: Brian May + Adam Lambert at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards, Avalon Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
In the U.S., the show will be broadcast on radio through KMG Networks and a TV partner will be announced soon. In the U.K., the show airs on Sky Arts TV and TeamRock Radio. See past highlights here.


November 10, 2014: (UK-EU) Queen Forever released.

November 11, 2014 (US) Queen Forever released.

November 24, 2014: TV, Japan Summer Sonic 2014 Queen + Adam Lambert Day Two (Tokyo) airs on WOWOW Live Channel 192 at 12:00. Japan Time (GMT+9)


QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT – 2015 UK and EUROPE TOUR
Tue 13 January NEWCASTLE Arena
Wed 14 January GLASGOW Hydro
Sat 17 January LONDON O2 Arena
Sun 18 January LONDON O2 Arena
Tue 20 January LEEDS Arena
Wed 21 January MANCHESTER Arena
Friday 23 January BIRMINGHAM NIA
Sat 24 January NOTTINGHAM Arena
Mon 26 January PARIS Zenith
Thu 29 January COLOGNE Lanxess Arena
Fri 30 January AMSTERDAM, Ziggo Dome
Sun 1 February VIENNA Stadhalle
Mon 2 February MUNICH Olympiahalle
Wed 4 February BERLIN O2
Thu 5 February HAMBURG O2
Sat 7 February FRANKFURT Festhalle
Sun 8 February BRUSSELS Palais 12
Tue 10 February MILAN Forum
Fri 13 February STUTTGART Schleyerhalle
Sun 15 February HERNING Jyske Bank Boxen
Tue 17 February PRAGUE O2
Thu 19 February ZURICH Hallenstadion

Future - 2015: Adam's Third Studio Album will be released.



The Adamtopia guidelines are quite simple. To be a member of Adamtopia...

1. You must be an Adam fan.

2. You must be respectful of other members. Feel free to express your opinion, but be glitterier and golden.

3. Strive to be funny, entertaining or informative when you post. Avoid posting something that has already been posted.

4. Never question anyone's right to post, the appropriateness of a topic or define the proper way for an Adam fan or Adamtopia Member to behave. Let the moderators do their job.

More rules will be added if the need arises but, if everyone follows these rules, we will not need a lot of rules.


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