Q+AL - a musician's perspective

Very well said!

I can't wait for MSG, rock on Brian and Roger, while you still can!

Hooray for you taking the time to bring the naysayers to heel. This collaboration between Queen and Lambert is amazing, inspiring, and joyful. I'm not sure who the negative, sometimes spiteful, people think they are honoring. Freddie? I don't think so! They are stuck in a petulant time warp, not realizing that moving on is healthy. The natural order of things. And one last note to the fellow who thinks Adam is turning Queen into a gay cliche....lol. Have you not watched the hundreds of hours of Queen videos with Freddie? They are fun, silly, and way over the top from a gay standpoint. Just chill out and take a look at Brian's and Roger's faces. They are having the time of their lives in spite of the Debbie (or Donnie) Downers, and if you don't like it, go see Led Zep or Kiss or anyone else who were fortunate enough not to have an integral part of their band die prematurely, and don't let the door hit you in the butt!

VERY WELL SAID!! XO

You left out the most important reason why some aren't as keen as you are on Q+AL -- some don't like Lambert's voice that much. It's that simple. No need for elaborate theories or the many insults contained in the original post and the replies. What I don't understand is the irrational need some of you have that others must love what you love. It's quite odd, almost cult-like behaviour.

Anyway, I'm off to listen to some Alter Bridge as they make Queen + anyone look like karaoke night in an old folks retirement home.

Having attented 4 of the Queen and Adam Lambert concerts, I'd like to share something I've observed in every one of them.
There were people near me who were 100% Queen fans, most not even being aware that Adam Lambert existed. Each one was there to see the band, while not believing anyone could possibly be deserving to front them. (despite the pronouncements to that fact by Roger & Brian themselves) by the concert's end, every one of them, without exception, expressed that they were wrong, that Adam absolutely deserved his place. One of these Queen fans, a big burly guy who sang along with every song, was unashamedly wiping away tears as the final bows were taken.
If this was my experience, as only one person, how many more could there have been?!
Yes, we can all get along, if willing to watch & listen with an open mind!
Btw, I know of MANY Lambert fans who are now aware of some the greatest music EVER.
js.

Great post and all, I agree with it fully, but I can't wait for the negative replies. Is that a bad thing?

Mind you, it's good you said it, because if a fan that wasn't "high-profile" like you would have said it, they would have been slaughtered.
That's why I'm so excited to see what people have to say about this post. Your posts are (for the most part) well thought out, and that is why I am so excited to see what the people completely against this project have to say about what you wrote.

I have my popcorn ready, and I suggest you all do the same and watch.

BRAVA! Couldn't have said it better, but have an unstoppable urge to add my two cents anyway. I've been a Queen fan for over 40 years and a QOIFC member, but have never visited the forum pages because as an Adam Lambert fan as well, I know how much negativity is spawned on these forum pages and find it a terrible waste of time and energy to deal with. However, your insightful and on point post, which was shared on Twitter, finally lured me in.

I was privileged and VERY FORTUNATE to have attended at least one live Queen concert with Freddie at the helm in1984 at the now notorious Sun City concerts. And I stress the fortunate part, because as a South African, we didn't have many opportunities to attend live music during the cultural boycott and I had been TOTALLY besotted with Queen since the age of 14. Freddie was my personal hero. So when he passed away, I never imagined ever attending another Queen concert and was completely nonplussed by the PR era.

Then came Adam Lambert. Again, I was very lucky to be able to attend the first two shows at Hammersmith in London in 2012, almost 30 years later, and, as I'm sure many have professed before me, it was one of THE best experiences of my life. Not just a live show, but a total emotional roller coaster! At age 53, I kept finding myself in tears and as I looked around, noticed I was not the only one. Tears of nostalgia, tears of loss, tears of sadness, but mostly, tears of joy. Not just for myself (TYMD & FBG made me feel like a 14 year old, jumping on my bed again), but for all of us, the audience reliving their lives and youth through those epic songs, Brian & Roger having the opportunity once again to do what they love and having the time of their lives on stage, Adam, singing every song with so much reverence and love, and coming full circle from his first AI audition with Bo Rhap and Freddie, who was gone all too soon and will forever live in our hearts and in the legacy of his music.

Unfortunately I am not able to afford the cost of a trip to the US to attend the current shows so it almost breaks my heart to see how many 'fans' are denying themselves this awesome opportunity to open their hearts and minds to so much joy for whatever reason they may profess to have. Negativity and hate kills the soul, dare to take a chance and try something different. Fortune favours the brave.

Finally: a while back Adam had this to say on Twitter after some fan negativity surrounding some decisions he had made : ENTITLEMENT IS NOT SEXY.

After reading this forum, in response to your comment Holly: it didn't come off to me as if the author was enforcing anyone to like Adam Lambert's voice. That is a personal preference. What he seemed to be referring to were the folks getting all uptight and sending out negative messages for something that should be a joyous occasion for the band and several fans.
Especially if the remaining members of Queen think Adam is a fit; that is for them to decide...just as it's ours to decide who we want to entertain us.

I joined just to say Touche' to a rational, open minded opinion on this site. I had heard of all the negativity and ridiculousness that is allowed to go on here. Thank you to the author for showing some sensibility regarding the subject. By the way, Freddie looked upon his legacy a lot differently than some of his "fans" who want to bury his music where his ashes respectfully lay. He did not feel that way--actually said he didn't care about his legacy, that he had lived a full life. Just said "don't make me boring". which Lambert certainly isn't with that great voice and stage presence which has been mentioned time and time again by reviewers. This is music, people, not gun control, immigration or child abuse. Let's treat it as such and for God's sake enjoy life a little.

I selected the wrong user, sorry. :)

Right on!!! Being too young to have ever seen Queen with Freddie and having just got back from Vegas and their show there, I was so grateful for this opportunity. Adam and the rest of the guys were absolutely fantastic. Brian puts guys 1/2 or even 1/3 his age to shame up there on stage.

[QUOTE] [b]Peaches wrote:[/b]

After all, Brian and Roger chose Adam to join them because it made them feel like playing their songs again.[/QUOTE]

Bingo. He's one of two people in 20+ years to inspire the boys to tour again. That is a feat in itself.

Great post. :)