Queen guitarist Brian May described Adam Lambert as a “modern marvel” and asked people to consider how “awful” it would have been if the band had hired a Freddie Mercury impersonator to continue touring.

May and drummer Roger Taylor have been working with Lambert for 10 years, with the level of attention surrounding their performances having increased during that time. Queen + Adam Lambert are currently touring North America. The singer regularly tells crowds that he's there as a Mercury fan, and has no illusions about being a replacement.

"This is me, as a guest, with one of the greatest rock bands of all time, singing the songs that one of the greatest rock singers of all time brought to life,” he recently noted.

“And here is the Modern Marvel without whom, for sure, Queen would not be out here delivering at the top level,” May wrote on Instagram, posting a picture of Lambert. “Gifted with a voice in a billion, for himself he is a passionate and unyielding perfectionist. Gifted to us, he is the reason that we are still alive as a functioning rock band.” He went to say that, along with presenting the opportunity to “take on new challenges,” Lambert was “nice,” adding: “That’s a big deal when you’re a touring family. Freddie would approve, big time.”

May also argued, "for the benefit of just a few people who haven’t stopped to think clearly. Just imagine how awful if would been for Roger and myself to tour with a Freddie impersonator. Anyone who suggests such a thing doesn’t belong here. ... To the vast majority of you lovely people out there – big thanks for being respectful to Adam. In supporting him, you are supporting the life blood of the live Queen legacy.”

The current Queen + Adam Lambert tour ends on Aug. 23 in Charlotte, N.C., with further dates confirmed for Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Australia in early 2020.

 

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