When Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, declares that the band is experiencing its “best period ever,” it’s not a statement made lightly. For a group whose history spans over five decades and includes one of the most revered frontmen in music history, Freddie Mercury, such praise underscores the monumental impact Adam Lambert has had since stepping into the spotlight with the band.
What began as a one-off performance on American Idol in 2009 has evolved into a globally celebrated collaboration that May says has “revitalized” Queen—not as a nostalgic revival, but as a thriving, evolving force in contemporary rock. Following Mercury’s death in 1991 and several attempts to find a fitting lead vocalist—including a stint with Paul Rodgers—Queen’s musical future appeared uncertain. But everything changed when Lambert, then a newly-minted Idol runner-up, joined them for a rousing rendition of “We Are The Champions.”
That moment sparked a musical chemistry that would eventually lead to a formal partnership in 2011. Their first tour together in 2012 took them across Europe and Russia, and the momentum hasn’t stopped since. May has frequently praised Lambert’s extraordinary vocal prowess and stage charisma. “The Queen show today that we do with Adam Lambert is the equal of anything we ever did,” he said in a 2014 interview, going so far as to compare the current lineup favorably to the band’s Mercury-led glory days. Far from imitating Freddie, Lambert brings his own fire to the stage. “Adam can do all the stuff that Freddie did and more,” May remarked in 2019, emphasizing Lambert’s range and adaptability.
What sets this era apart, according to May, is not just Lambert’s voice, but the synergy between the trio of Lambert, May, and drummer Roger Taylor. In a 2023 interview, May described their on-stage relationship as “truly incredible,” highlighting how their improvisational style and lack of backing tracks allows for a level of spontaneity and connection that keeps each performance fresh—and slightly dangerous.
“We’re completely free and we can feel what each other wants to do,” he said. “It’s a real band.” From their 2014-2015 global tour to the ambitious 2019 Rhapsody Tour and its triumphant post-pandemic return in 2022–2023, Queen + Adam Lambert have consistently packed arenas worldwide. The critical and commercial success of these tours has only reinforced May’s belief that they’re in the midst of a golden era. And while he stops short of singling out one specific tour as the pinnacle, his frequent references to their more recent shows suggest that their bond has only grown stronger over time.
There’s also a deep emotional undertone to this journey. For May and Taylor, the collaboration with Lambert isn’t just a new chapter—it’s a tribute to their legacy and a continuation of Mercury’s spirit. May has emphasized that Lambert “doesn’t need to pretend to be Freddie,” but notes meaningful parallels in their charisma, humility, and passion for performance. As Queen prepares for more shows in 2025 and beyond, the band’s resurgence with Lambert at the helm proves that legacies can evolve, not just endure. As May succinctly put it, this isn’t just a nostalgia trip—this is Queen’s best period ever.
