It's very easy to speculate. But the truth is each of the abovementioned (even if considered for the role) would have had their own demands, own music profile, fan base etc. Mike Patton & Queen? Come on, as much as I like the guy. I'm likely to think there was some truth in the gossip around George Michael and Elton at the time, but... there must have been "a but". George would have been good imo and might have challenged his own self by taking on the role, but still, pure speculation. In order to answer the question though, I think Matt Bellamy from Muse could fit well. Paul Rodgers only fitted some of the heavier / rocky stuff imo and did well on such songs. I enjoyed his own stuff tried with Queen as well. Adam Lambert provides the entertainment and I wouldn't actually criticise him all that much, as there seems to be something genuine there and many songs do sound ok, imo (again). They need to try something new though. Not new in terms of material, but the more obscure stuff for sure.
Elton would be awesome, but overall Lambert fits the Queen image best. Especially since he has stopped oversinging many songs. Rodgers with his blues influences was horrible and so was George Michael with all his oversinging. Queen was never about that, Queen was about strong, powerful, straight-forward classic rock vocals with very little howling and blues/soul-inspired stuff when the singer just goes on and on and on, even though he should have shut up a minute ago. Just listen to any WATC from 2012 with Lambert, makes me want to kill myself.
What I would prefer? Lambert or maybe Martel, but with many more songs sung by Brian and Roger. What I really would prefer? A hologram or even video screen with Freddie throughout the whole show.
Paul rodgers didnt do it for me. Lambert is much better then him. Enjoyable in a live show. Should stay away from the harder rocking macho songs.. wwtlf suits f.e. rather well. Stc totally not.
^ speaking of holograms. ...I wouldn't even go see hologram DIO .....that's so crass and disreputable.
I can only imagine. 10 years from now you'll get a Freddie hologram (*originally sold for a gazillion dollars) in a karaoke booth in some seedy crap joint in las Vegas.
Broken tables and everything.
"YEH hey check it out.
Used to be a big thing around 2020...got em cheap. $3 a song it is. "
