Queen’s Brian May on Adam Lambert’s Incredible Vocal Range (VIDEO)

Queen + Adam Lambert At The Forum

I wonder if Queen guitarist, Brian May, had any idea that an almost off-hand remark he made a few months ago in an interview with Universal Music Japan would cause such a stir.

In reference to how rangey and difficult Queen songs are to sing, Brian boldly asserted that current lead singer, Adam Lambert, can sing higher in live situations than original front man, Freddie Mercury did. The beloved lead singer, died in 1991 of an AIDS related illness.

Brian explains:

They’re difficult songs to sing, Queen songs. There’s too much range. So many people can’t sing them in the original key — even if they are good singers, Adam comes along…he can do it easy. He can do it in his sleep! He can sing higher than even Freddie could in a live situation. So I think Freddie would look at this guy and think, ‘Hmm… Yeah. Okay.’ There would be a kind of, ‘Hmm … You bastard. You can do this.’

It took awhile, but the story has gone completely viral. ADAM LAMBERT CAN SING HIGHER THAN FREDDIE MERCURY go the buzzy headlines. I don’t think Brian is saying that Adam is a better singer, just that he can sustain those difficult high notes in live situations. I’m sure that hasn’t stopped Freddie stans from grabbing their pitchforks and storming the fort, however.

“Adam also has this presentation thing. He is a showman,” Brian added. “He doesn’t have to try. He’s a natural, in the same way that Freddie was. Some people walk on stage and they are able…to connect with an audience. Freddie had it without a doubt, and Adam has it also.”

As far as how long Queen will continue, Brian said, “We have this window of opportunity with Adam, and if that window closes, I don’t think we’ll be doing anything for awhile, because you don’t put together things that easily.”

“I think when Adam wants to go off and resume his normal career then we will probably close up shop for a time,” said Brian.

In the same clip, Brian discusses the technicalities of how they transformed a disco song that Freddie originally wrote in the 80’s for producer, Giorgio Moroder, and the film Metropolis, into an emotional ballad. Adam has been singing  the resurrected song on tour. Brian notes that Adam’s version has been well received and the song suits him “very well.”

“But Adam doesn’t have to try to be Freddie,” explained Brian. “He doesn’t imitate. He just does his own thing.

Brian doesn’t talk about Adam in this segment, but he does hold a fascinating discussion about making the upcoming Queen compilation album. The guitarist is adept at making the technical intricacies of song recording really interesting.

About mj santilli 34830 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!