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Adam Lambert sang with Queen at the Queen’s 70th Platinum Party last year at Buckingham Palace in front of millions of people.
Dominik HugHead of Department People
Ten o’clock in the morning in Los Angeles: Adam Lambert has partied until late, but is still bursting with energy when SonntagsBlick reaches him on the phone. Lambert laughs a lot during the interview. The outgoing singer talks about his coming out and why he’s proud to be part of Queen.
Mr. Lambert, on your new album you cover songs by Culture Club, Ann Peebles and Bonnie Tyler. Are these the tunes you grew up listening to?
Adam Lambert: Partly. But it also has newer songs by Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish on the album. Title: «High Drama». So the songs I wanted to sing on it had to be highly dramatic, full of emotion and heartbreak. That was the main criterion in the selection. Most of these songs were huge hits. I wanted to breathe new life into them, and sometimes rearranged them.
Why High Drama?
I’m known for big drama. I know I’m very theatrical, have a tendency to be eccentric in everything I do. That’s why I also love the ballads of the 70s. But also disco, funk and glam rock songs of that era were wonderfully emotional.
There was also drama at the album shoot. You hurt your face.
Oh, that was more of a little drama. In one scene, when I was about to walk through a broken window for the photographer, my nose was cut open by a piece of sugar glass. Bleed quite a bit. The photo came out beautifully, but we had to use Photoshop to edit it afterwards.
Did your love of the ’70s bring you to mega rock band Queen in 2012?
That certainly has something to do with the fact that I became their singer. I’ve always adored Queen. That we got together is a great love story with a happy ending. Almost too good to be true. There is actually hardly any other band that was able to continue successfully after the death of their singer.
What do you like most about Queen?
Your songs are so wonderfully versatile. They serve the most diverse genres; sometimes rock, then classical, then pop again. This journey through the most diverse sound worlds fascinated me about this band even as a teenager.
Queen musicians Brian May and Roger Taylor could be your fathers in age. You can also meet privately clear?
It wouldn’t work any other way, at least not for as long as we have now. The gentlemen are total gentlemen, really wonderful human beings, funny too. We go well together.
What would you say to your predecessor, Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991, if you could meet him?
I would probably freeze in awe if I met him. Freddie was unique. I remember when I first saw him on TV as a teenager. Back then he wore very tight white shorts, was barefoot, stormed across the stage like a dervish to this bombastic music. I was enchanted by him from the first moment.
Mercury was 45 when he died. You will be 41 this Sunday. How do you deal with age?
I no longer count my years. I stopped doing that when I was 40. Seriously: on the one hand, I really enjoy everything I’ve learned over the last few years, which is why I’ve also become more self-confident. On the other hand, I miss the condition of my body, which of course was better when I was 20.
Personal: Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert (41) appeared in musicals at a young age. In 2009 he won the talent show “American Idol” and became a star overnight. In 2012 he was voted Music’s Sexiest Man. He starred in the hit series “Glee,” “Pretty Little Liars,” and the musical remake, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” He has been the singer of Queen for ten years and regularly tours with the legendary rock band. Lambert’s new CD “High Drama” will be released in mid-February.
Adam Lambert (41) appeared in musicals at a young age. In 2009 he won the talent show “American Idol” and became a star overnight. In 2012 he was voted Music’s Sexiest Man. He starred in the hit series “Glee,” “Pretty Little Liars,” and the musical remake, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” He has been the singer of Queen for ten years and regularly tours with the legendary rock band. Lambert’s new CD “High Drama” will be released in mid-February.
How do you cherish your voice?
I’ve been singing since childhood. As a result, my voice has become very resilient. I can easily give a concert again the next evening after a wild party. Also, it’s not like I sing operas every day, a lot of my songs are rock’n’roll too. If you miss it, it doesn’t necessarily disturb the sound.
Did you always know that you wanted to be a singer?
I was very fortunate to know as a child where my strengths lay – and what I was not good for at all. That’s how it is to this day. I wouldn’t have a clue what I could do if I wasn’t in show business. I’m good at nothing but performing. Entertaining people in creative ways is the only thing that gives my life meaning.
Do you have a motto?
“Only do what makes you happy. Then sooner or later you’ll be successful.” It is also important not to worry about everything all the time. If you don’t, you live much more carefree.
How do you spend your free time?
I live in a beautiful relationship with a great man. I shop a lot online – way too much. A few years ago I also discovered the fun of video games. I have no idea how that could have happened (laughs). And I often go hiking with my little dog.
Do you ever leave the house without makeup?
Very often even. That’s an advantage in my case, because I’m less recognized without make-up, so I can socialize with people in a much less complicated way.
You came out relatively early.
That’s right, at 18. I’m very grateful to my parents for how supportive they were in dealing with us children. Not only in terms of my artistic dreams, but also my sexuality. In the 90s people weren’t as open as they are today. Back then there were more taboos. I too was unsure at first and in doubt.
And then?
At some point everyone has to admit who they are and how they feel. Luckily, that realization came to me fairly quickly. Also because those closest to me were very understanding. Today I know very well who I am. But I also had to fight to find my true self. But pushing the limits every now and then helps to find one’s own identity.
In the meantime you have sung for US Presidents, including Queen Elizabeth II. Do you still have dreams?
Lots. But I don’t force anything anymore. My career has been so unique so far. Every time I’m at my limit, I remember everything I’ve been able to experience over the past 15 years. Then I’m always completely relaxed. Looking back, I didn’t always make the right decisions. But recognizing what a good decision is means that you have sometimes made a wrong decision. From that point of view, there is always a good side to everything. And that’s reassuring.
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