Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter and stage actor born in Indianapolis but raised in San Diego. He began performing in amateur theatrical productions in childhood, a path he pursued into adulthood, appearing in professional productions in the U.S. and abroad.Lambert became prominent after appearing on the eighth season of American Idol. Although he was runner-up, Lambert launched a music career with the release of the studio album For Your Entertainment (2009) after signing with 19 in a joint venture with RCA. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, sold 198,000 copies in the U.S. in its first week, and reached the top 10 in several countries worldwide. Its singles "For Your Entertainment", "Whataya Want from Me" and "If I Had You" also became successes internationally. Soon after he headlined a worldwide concert tour, Glam Nation, the first American Idol contestant to do so in the year following his Idol season. The tour was followed by two live releases: an extended play entitled Acoustic Live! (2010), and a live CD/DVD Glam Nation Live (2011), which debuted at number one on the SoundScan Music Video chart.Lambert took executive producer credit and was a principal writer on his second studio album, Trespassing, released on May 15, 2012, to critical acclaim. Trespassing made its debut in the number one spot on the Billboard 200 album chart, also topping the Billboard Digital Albums Chart and Canada's Digital Albums Chart.Lambert made music history as the first openly gay artist to achieve this top charting position.
Citing influence from various artists and genres, Lambert has a flamboyant, theatrical and androgynous performance style, and a powerful, technically skilled[15] tenor voice with multi-octave range. He has received numerous awards and nominations, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2011.[18] By April 2012 his first album had sold nearly two million copies worldwide[19] and 4.2 million singles worldwide as of January 2011.The Times identified Lambert as the first openly gay mainstream pop artist to launch a career on a major label in the U.S.
Adam Lambert-Never close your eyes
Early life
Adam Lambert was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 29, 1982, to mother Leila (née Mitchel), an interior designer; and father Eber Lambert, a program manager for Novatel Wireless.[22] He has a younger brother, Neil.[22] His father is of mostly Norwegian descent and his mother is Jewish. Lambert was raised in his mother's religion[23][24][25] and has performed songs in Hebrew, such as "Shir LaShalom" and "The Prayer" at a 2005 tribute concert to assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin,[26][27] as well as at the San Diego Temple of the Arts.[28]Shortly after Lambert's birth, his family moved to San Diego, California,[29] settling in Rancho Peñasquitos after his brother was born.[29] Lambert began performing with Metropolitan Educational Theatre network (now MET2) from the age of nine, and appeared in local productions of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Fiddler on the Roof with the company.[29][30] A few years later, he began more intense acting and vocal coaching, continuing to perform with both MET2 and what was to become the Broadway Bound Youth Theatre Foundation, as he moved through Mesa Verde Middle School and then high school.[22]
While attending Mount Carmel High School (MCHS), he became heavily involved with theater and choir, performed vocals with the school's jazz band, MC Jazz, and competed in the local Air Bands competitions.[29] Some of his MCHS performances included Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance and "It's Only a Paper Moon" with MC Jazz.[31] Lambert auditioned for Starlight Theatre, a professional outdoor theater company in Balboa Park, where he performed in the ensemble for Hello, Dolly!, Camelot, The Music Man, Grease and as Captain Hook in Peter Pan.[22][29] After graduating in 2000, he attended California State University, Fullerton., but left school after five weeks and moved to Los Angeles: "I just decided that what I really wanted to do was try to work in the real entertainment world," he said. "Life is all about taking risks to get what you want."
Adam Lambert-If I had you
2001–08: Career beginnings
At 19, Lambert landed his first professional job, performing on a cruise ship for ten months with Anita Mann Productions.[32] Afterwards, he performed in light opera in Orange County, California.[32] By 21, he was signed with a manager and cast in a European tour of Hair for six months.[32] "That was a huge turning point for me personally, because I finally got comfortable in my own skin. I was discovering a lot about myself. Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, a lot of it."[32] He dyed his hair black, and while in Germany, reportedly started smoking cannabis and tried ecstasy.[33] In 2004, he appeared in the Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) production of Brigadoon[34] and a Pasadena Playhouse production of 110 in the Shade,[35] before being cast in the role of Joshua in The Ten Commandments: The Musical at the Kodak Theatre alongside Val Kilmer. Lambert, still unknown, was one of the few facets of the production to garner a positive review.[35][36] He came to the attention of the casting director for the musical Wicked, and was hired as the understudy for the role of Fiyero in addition to being an ensemble member in the first national touring production of the musical from 2005; and the Los Angeles production from 2007. He finished performances with the musical in 2008.[35] Beginning in 2004, he regularly performed at the Upright Cabaret and the Zodiac Show, which was co-created by Carmit Bachar of the Pussycat Dolls.During this same period, Lambert briefly moonlighted as the front man for underground rock band The Citizen Vein with Steve Sidelnyk, Tommy Victor and Monte Pittman.[37] He remembers, "We did three gigs and that was it and we recorded a couple things, like rough recordings, and I don't know, it didn't quite click."[38] He also worked as a demo singer and a session musician; a compilation of his 2005 recordings were later released on the album Take One (2009)[39] by Hi Fi Recordings and Wilshire Records. Upon their release, Lambert issued a statement: "Back in 2005 when I was a struggling artist, I was hired as a studio singer to lend my vocals to tracks written by someone else. I was broke at the time and this was my chance to make a few bucks, so I jumped at the opportunity to record for my first time in a professional studio. The work I did back then in no way reflects the music I am currently in the studio working on."[40]
2009: American Idol
The first week of live shows, Lambert sang Michael Jackson's "Black or White", leading to praiseful support from all four judges. The following week, Lambert sang a version of "Ring of Fire". While Randy Jackson, DioGuardi, and Paula Abdul all liked his performance, Cowell called it "indulgent rubbish".[43] On Motown night, Lambert sang an acoustic version of The Miracles' "The Tracks of My Tears". The judges all liked it, and Smokey Robinson, the week's mentor and the original singer-songwriter, gave Lambert a standing ovation. When Lambert performed "Play That Funky Music", DioGuardi capped the judge's across-the-board positive reaction with: "Every week I cannot wait to get to the show and see what you’re going to do next."[43] Advancing to the top 8, he sang the 2001 Michael Andrews and Gary Jules arrangement of "Mad World". Because the show had exceeded its time slot, only Cowell gave a critique, which he did by simply giving Lambert a standing ovation (the only standing ovation that Cowell gave during his ten-year run as a judge on American Idol). During the results show the next night, the other judges agreed that a standing ovation was the best critique of Lambert's performance.[43] The next week, he performed "Born to Be Wild" to which Abdul responded, "You're one of the bravest contestants I've ever witnessed" but Cowell questioned the version's overall likability to the general public.
Adam Lambert-Whataya want for me
Photos of Lambert romantically kissing another man surfaced in the midst of the American Idol competition. Highlighted as controversial, they were presented and discussed by conservative commentators on The O'Reilly Factor, who called them "embarrassing", but did not agree that the images would impact the competition.[44] Lambert confirmed that the photos were of him, stating he had nothing to hide and has always been open about his life.[45] Mainstream media speculation centered on Lambert's sexuality; presuming he was gay, he would be the first gay American Idol.[46][note 1] Much of the media focus regarded the readiness of American Idol voters for an openly gay winner.[46] Asked by Rolling Stone whether the speculation surrounding his sexual orientation impacted the final vote, Lambert laughed and said "probably".[47] He confirmed that he was gay in a Rolling Stone cover story interview shortly after he was named the American Idol runner-up.[33]
For his second top 7 performance, Lambert sang "If I Can't Have You", delivering what DioGuardi described as his "most memorable performance", while Cowell described his vocals as "immaculate" and Abdul was reduced to tears.[43] A week later, he returned with "Feeling Good" which received mixed reception from the judges who felt his edgy and dramatic theatrical performance was "a little too Broadway." For the only time, he ended up in the bottom two after the public vote, but received enough votes to remain in the competition.[43] Down to the top 4, Lambert was the first to perform and sang "Whole Lotta Love". Cowell commented, "that was one of my favorite performances" admitting that "nobody can top that now", while Abdul described Lambert's performance as "a whole lotta perfect." He followed it by "nailing" his duet of "Slow Ride" with fellow competitor Allison Iraheta later in the night.[43] For the top 3 show, he performed "One" before Cowell declared, "If you are not in the final next week, it will be one of the biggest upsets", and followed it with "Cryin' before Abdul affirmed, "we'll be seeing you next week and many years after that."[43] He also visited his hometown and reprised his earlier successes of "Black or White" and "Mad World" at his alma mater, Mount Carmel High School.[48] Afterwards, San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders declared May 8, 2009, "Adam Lambert Day."[49]
Friends from the start, Lambert and Kris Allen were safe, and into the final. Lambert performed three solo songs in the final, reprising "Mad World" as his choice. He followed this by the 1960s civil rights anthem "A Change Is Gonna Come", picked by producer Simon Fuller, to a tremendously positive judge reaction. "That was the best I've EVER heard you sing, EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER!" cooed Abdul. "Whatever happens with this Idol journey, I know you're going to be iconic."[43] The mandatory winner's single, "No Boundaries", was then performed by both Lambert and Allen. After the performance, Cowell summed up Lambert's journey, "Over the entire season, you've been one of the best, most original contestants we've ever had on the show. The hope and whole idea of a show like this is to find a worldwide star, and I truly believe we've found that in you."[43] Alongside the usual solo performances, Lambert also performed a medley of "Beth", "Detroit Rock City", and "Rock and Roll All Nite" with rock band Kiss and joined with Kris Allen, Brian May and Roger Taylor (of Queen) to perform the anthem "We Are the Champions" during the final episode before the results were announced.[50] Lambert was announced as the runner-up for the eighth season of American Idol but, upon winning, Kris Allen stated, "Adam deserved this." Explaining this remark later, Allen said that he thought Lambert deserved to win as much as he did, and that Lambert "was the most consistent person all year. He was seriously one of the most gifted performers that I've ever met."[51] Lambert's version of the winner's single was released alongside Allen's version. The LA Times later ranked Lambert 5th in its list of the top 120 American Idol contestants, selected from seasons 1 to 9 of the show, above Allen.
2009–11: For Your Entertainment and touring
On November 22, Lambert performed "For Your Entertainment" at the American Music Awards of 2009. The controversial performance, which was the night's finale, showed Lambert kissing a male bassist, grinding a dancer's head against his pelvis, and grabbing the crotch of another.[69] In response, the Parents Television Council, a conservative decency campaigning group,[70] urged viewers to complain to the FCC,[71] despite the fact that the performance occurred "outside the FCC's usual 6am-10pm time frame prohibiting the broadcast of indecent material".[72] ABC received about 1,500 telephoned complaints and cancelled Lambert's November 25 performance on Good Morning America.[73][74] Consequently, CBS invited Lambert to perform on The Early Show instead, on the same date.[75] When discussing the incident in a Rolling Stone interview after the performance, Lambert stated: "Female performers have been doing this for years—pushing the envelope about sexuality—and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out. We're in 2009—it's time to take risks, be a little more brave, time to open people's eyes and if it offends them, then maybe I'm not for them. My goal was not to piss people off, it was to promote freedom of expression and artistic freedom."[69] Lambert returned to the AMAs two years later as a presenter, and was warmly received. Rejecting claims that the singer was banned from the show in 2009, Executive Producer Larry Klein said that he's anticipating future Lambert performances: “Adam Lambert is a friend of ours, he's talented and I like everything about him."[76] Lambert's performance was included in Billboard's list of "Top Ten American Music Awards Moments" on the eve of its 40th anniversary, in November 2012.[77]
In the months surrounding his album release, Lambert appeared on the cover of a number of high-profile magazines including Entertainment Weekly in May 2009,[78] Rolling Stone in June 2009[79] and Details in November 2009.[80] In his Details shoot he was photographed with a nude woman, sparking controversy.[81] His Rolling Stone cover story became the magazine's best selling issue of the year.[82] He appeared on the cover of Out magazine in their "Out 100" issue (11/09),[83] again sparking controversy when Out's publisher issued him an open letter questioning the "gayness" of his image.[84] The Canadian website and magazine Rockstar Weekly published an Adam Lambert fan magazine in February 2010, which sold out quickly in its first run and was re-issued in October 2010 with added content.[85] In April it was revealed that Lambert had been chosen one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People 2010.[86] He appeared on the cover of Japan's May 2010 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, after his single "For Your Entertainment" reached its fifth consecutive number-one spot on their radio airplay charts.[87] In November 2011, Lambert appeared on the cover of what became a sought after edition of The Advocate, which also included an in-depth interview.[88][89] Lambert was chosen for Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009, and appeared on the December 10 show to be interviewed by Walters.[90]
In support of the album, Lambert appeared on various programs and at events, both in the US and internationally. In late 2009, he performed on the Late Show with David Letterman,[91]The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien,[92] the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance,[93] and The Jay Leno Show.[94] He also appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[95] The View,[96] and The Oprah Winfrey Show,[97][98] where he gave lengthy interviews about his album and career, as well as performing. In December 2009, he hosted and performed at radio-sponsored Jingle Balls in New York, Miami and Tampa, Florida.[99] To ring in the New Year, he headlined the Gridlock New Year's Eve 2010 festival at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, which benefited the American Red Cross.[100] In February, AOL Music showcased Lambert in an intimate five-song mini-concert on AOL Sessions.[101] The same month, he performed another intimate acoustic set for IHeartRadio, interrupting the performance of "Whataya Want from Me" to ask an audience member to stop talking on her cell phone.[102] Later that month, Lambert's first official solo concert was held at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California,[103] where he played a sold-out show to fans from around the world.[104] In early March, Lambert was selected to inaugurate the newly resurrected award-winning VH1 Unplugged concert series, interviewing and performing stripped-down versions of five songs from For Your Entertainment.[105] March also saw him as a featured artist on the ABC News Nightline "Playlist" segment, discussing his musical influences and favorite tracks.[106] Lambert performed sets in Berns, Stockholm, Sweden[107] and two concerts in British Columbia, Canada rounding out Spring 2010.[108] In May 2011, Lambert performed at the Maxidrom Festival in Moscow, Russia, to an estimated crowd of 50,000 people,[109] while July saw him at the Ste Agathe en Feux Festival in Quebec, Canada.
In April 2010, Lambert returned to American Idol as the first former contestant to mentor during an Elvis Presley themed week, also performing "Whataya Want from Me".[110] His contributions drew praise, including from then Idol musical director Rickey Minor.[111] In June, he appeared on Canada's MuchMusic Video Awards to receive the UR Fav International Video award for "Whataya Want from Me", which he also performed.[112]
At the start of June 2010, Lambert embarked on his debut headlining concert tour Glam Nation, playing throughout the United States with Allison Iraheta and Orianthi before performing throughout Europe and Asia. His concert in Malaysia on October 10, 2010, went ahead as planned, despite protests from an Islamist political party.[113] Lambert performed a total of 113 shows, nearly all of them sold out.[114] The complete concert in Indianapolis was filmed for Lambert's first video release Glam Nation Live, a package consisting of a 13-track CD with DVD, which included behind-the-scenes footage.[115] The concert, which MTV called "out of this world", and his subsequent video release, were well-received, with Entertainment Weekly saying that it "sizzles" with the energy that Lambert's vocals bring in a live concert setting.[116] Glam Nation Live debuted at number one on the SoundScan Music Video chart[117] and landed in the number-12 spot on Billboard's 2011 year-end chart for music video sales.[118] This followed the release of his first extended play (EP), titled Acoustic Live!, which included acoustic versions of his songs recorded live in various countries. The EP garnered excellent reviews and was called "electrifying" by the New York Daily News.[119][120][121]
Lambert was profiled in an episode of VH1's celebrated Behind the Music series, in an hour-long documentary which premiered on August 7, 2011. In it he revealed details about a broad range of topics, including early struggles with his sexuality, his experience in the theater, and events surrounding the release of his debut album.[122] He was the subject of more in-depth interviews that fall, in an E! True Hollywood Story,[123] and on CNN Talk Asia.[124]
On November 6, 2011, Lambert joined Queen as lead singer for a special performance at the MTV Europe Music Awards held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the band was honored with the Global Icon Award. In a "spectacular" performance that closed the show, Lambert and Queen presented a medley of the classic hits “The Show Must Go On”, "We Will Rock You", and "We Are the Champions".[125] On December 9, Roger Taylor was quoted as saying they are in talks with Lambert about fronting some more live shows for Queen, calling the artist "a really great performer with an astonishing voice."[126]
Lambert donned his mentor cap for a second time on November 13, 2011, when he appeared as a "Major" in an episode of The Hub TV Network's Majors & Minors. Using his hit "Whataya Want from Me", Lambert coached the young singing contestants on the importance of stage presence and emotional engagement with the audience.[127]
2012: Trespassing
After changing management from 19 Entertainment to Direct Management Group in August 2011,[128] Lambert announced that his highly anticipated second studio album, Trespassing, would be released on March 20, 2012; and that he would serve as executive producer.[129][130][131] In mid-February, he reported that the release had been delayed to "Mapril", citing last minute additions of new songs and collaborations.[132] After unveiling snippets of four more album tracks, Lambert announced in late March that the album would drop on May 15, 2012.[131][133][134][135] The title track was co-written with Grammy Award winning Pharrell Williams,[136] while the album's lead single, "Better Than I Know Myself", a collaboration with Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly,[137] was released on December 20, 2011 to digital retailers.[129] His debut live performance of the single in January on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno received overwhelmingly positive reviews, focusing on Lambert's soaring and impeccable vocals on the melodically challenging song; and his more stripped down and sophisticated look.[138][139][140][141] Its reprise on the The Ellen DeGeneres Show two days later, brought equally favorable reviews.[142] The commanding album cover art by Lambert's friend and Art Director/Photographer for Trespassing, Lee Cherry, is a dramatic departure from his depiction on the 2009 cover of For Your Entertainment, signaling a new era in his career.[143][144]On January 29, Lambert's 30th birthday, he was the first American artist to play the Q-Snowcase in Zell am See, Austria. In a five-song acoustic set, he performed three songs from the new album—including a debut unplugged version of the title track "Trespassing," described as "fierce and funky" in this rendition.[145]
Lambert premiered his provocative and "stunningly art-directed" video of "Better Than I Know Myself" on his Vevo channel on February 3, 2012.[146] Directed by Ray Kay, the video provides the viewer with split screen and split personality entree into an interpretative world where dark and light collide and coalesce. The multiple meanings attached to the work serve as the introduction to the theme of the album Trespassing, which Lambert says reflects the dark and light sides of himself through song.[147][148]
It was announced in February that Lambert would take the stage with Queen to headline the U.K.'s Sonisphere Festival on July 7, 2012. The performance was to have particular significance as its location at Knebworth Park marks the site of Freddie Mercury's final performance with the band in August 1986. The "potent chemistry" between Lambert and Queen at the EMA's was noted in promoting the pairing.[149][150] Discussing the collaboration, Brian May remarked that he expected Lambert to be a "great interpreter" of Mercury's songs: “It will be challenging – my God, it will be challenging," said May.[151]
Queen announced an additional appearance with Lambert in Moscow's Olympic Stadium, on June 30, 2012.[152][153] Subsequently, the Sonisphere Knebworth festival was cancelled due to logistics and "circumstances,"[154] with both Queen and Lambert expressing disappointment and sadness respectively.[155][156] Days later, Roger Taylor announced that Queen and Lambert would perform three summer dates in addition to their Moscow show: two in London in early July and one in Kiev that would also feature Elton John as a headliner.[157][158] In late April, another concert was added in Wrocław, Poland, for July 7, where Queen and Lambert would headline a new rock festival.[159] Queen announced the addition of a third London show on July 14, as a result of the instantaneous sell-out of the earlier two London dates.[160][161]
The final version of the Queen + Adam Lambert collaboration began with a two hour extravaganza under the auspices of the UEFA in Kiev on June 30, the eve of the Euro 2012 Football Championship. Viewed live by hundreds of thousands of fans in Ukraine's main square,[162] the performance was touted for the strength of Lambert's showmanship, vocal excellence and interpretative skill, which confidently balanced old and new.[163] The Olympic Stadium concert in Moscow took place on July 3, while the Poland event in Municipal Stadium proceeded on schedule on July 7. Because of Queen's status in the UK and the pairing with newcomer Lambert, London's three dates at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo were heavily reviewed. Almost uniformly, the concerts were noted for Lambert's vocal command, his "sizzle" and "electrifying" presence; along with the synergy of the collaboration, which Brian May called "organic."[164][165][166][167]
Lambert performed "Trespassing" on April 9, 2012, at the Logo channel's fifth annual NewNowNext Awards, where he closed the show with a "rousing" and "in-your-face" performance.[168][169] On April 11, he announced via Twitter, that the album's next single would be Never Close Our Eyes, written by Bruno Mars and produced by Dr. Luke.[170][171] Reviews for the song, which was released digitally on April 17,[172] were overwhelmingly positive.[173][174] It debuted on national television on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on April 27, when Lambert performed for their concert series, again garnering positive reviews.[175][176] He appeared on Good Morning America—the show from which he was cut following his controversial American Music Awards of 2009 performance—on May 14, to perform the song and co-host the Pop News segment.[177] He announced via Twitter that he would return to the American Idol stage for his third consecutive year to perform "Never Close Our Eyes" on the results show that precedes Idol's final week.[178] The May 17 performance was touted for its vibrant energy and dazzle, as well as for the powerhouse vocals that have become Lambert's signature.[179][180][181]
Trespassing was released on May 15, 2012, following more than a week of major news stories and a preponderance of positive reviews.[182][183][184][185] Lambert tweeted his excitement at finding that the album had spent its first day at the top of the U.S. iTunes album chart.[186][187] On May 23, the album debuted in the number one position on the Billboard 200 chart, selling upwards of 77,000 copies.[188][189] Lambert again took to twitter, referencing the historic significance of being the first openly gay artist to reach this pinnacle, and as usual, acknowledging the help of his fans.[190]
The video for "Never Close Our Eyes," released on May 29, flipped the song's more personal, manifest content on its head, as Lambert had done with "Trespassing"'s first video release, "Better Than I Know Myself." Directed by Dori Oskowitz, it depicts a drab, futuristic, Orwellian-type landscape which becomes transformed through rebellion, visually represented by dazzling neon color and celebratory dance. The latter signify the return (and triumph) of individual expression, advancing the album's themes of dark vs. light, and suppression vs. self-affirmation.[191][192][193] The video was released to U.S. iTunes for digital sale on June 5.[194]
Throughout the spring and summer of 2012, Lambert performed across North America,[195] Europe,[196] Japan[197] and Australia,[198] appearing in festivals, on radio and television, and in concert. Highlights of the promotional tour included a return to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in California,[199] the site of his first solo concert; one of several headlining spots at Summer Sonic Festival 2012[200][201] in Tokyo and Osaka; and an acoustic appearance at Sydney's Top 40 Lounge, where his cover of Bob Marley's "Is This Love" was described as "stunning" and "incredible".[202][203] Lambert continued these national and international promotional events throughout the fall.[204][205][206]
On September 30, he appeared on the finale of The Voice of China, which aired to hundreds of millions of viewers on television and online.[207] The only Westerner invited to perform,[208] he sang a duet of "Whataya Want from Me" with a contestant, and also performed the song "Trespassing."[209]
Lambert's third single, "Trespassing", was released as part of an EP of remixes that included an edit for radio of the original song track. Entitled "Trespassing Remixes." it became available to radio on October 8, and to digital outlets on October 16, with hard copies sold from Lambert's official website only.[210] The EP contained 8 tracks, and included remixes of "Trespassing" by Pharrell Williams, Benny Benassi, Zak Waters, and vAnity mAchine; "Never Close Our Eyes" by R3hab and Mig & Mike Rizzo; "Better Than I Know Myself" by Robert Marvin & Shearer, and “Pop That Lock” by Johnny Labs.[211] "Trespassing" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales chart, giving Lambert his tenth number one Billboard entry.[212]
On October 23, Lambert performed two songs from Trespassing and did a scene in a Halloween special of the television series Pretty Little Liars, which aired on ABC Family.[213][214] The episode was the number one "most social" program of the day, and the highest rated episode in the fourteen-year run of Halloween themed telecasts by ABC Family, giving the cable network a big ratings success for the night.[215]
In November, Trespassing was named on iTunes's list of the "Best Pop Albums of 2012," coming in at number nine.[216]
Lambert appeared for the first time in South Africa in November, headlining arena concerts in Cape Town and Johannesburg.[217][218] The performances drew media attention, anchored by his cover of Are You Gonna Go My Way.[219][220][221][222] South Africa's The Sunday Times called Lambert's Johannesburg performance "epic" and "electrifying," stating: "His voice is stunning and his entertainment factor is through the roof."[223]
On November 30, Lambert performed at the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards (2012 MAMA), which was held in Hong Kong and aired in 85 countries, targeting an audience of more than 2.3 billion.[224][225] He was lauded for his powerful vocals, and command of both stage and fashion.[226][227][228][229] Lambert had appeared in Guangzhou a few days prior, performing for a private Mercedes-Benz event;[230] and then returned to Shanghai after the MAMA's for the "Hennessy Artistry" concert series, on December 2, which is a campaign sponsored by Hennessy to mix musical genres and top artists from around the world.[231][232] While in Shanghai, he was interviewed by CCTV, China's predominant state broadcasting system.[233] The "UpClose" segment aired on January 5, 2013.[234]
Returning to the U.S., Lambert made a series of appearances in New York City, where he performed for the “Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays” concert at The Beacon Theatre on December 8,[235][236] followed on December 10 by appearances on NBC's "New York Live",[237] CNN's Starting Point[238] and The Wendy Williams Show;[239] and VH1's "Big Morning Buzz Live" on December 11.[240]
On December 14, he was a headliner at the Star 101.3 Jingle Ball in San Francisco, which included a charity auction of a meet and greet to benefit the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR).[241][242]
Lambert hosted and performed at the 2012 VH1 Divas concert which was broadcast live on December 16. Heavily promoted from its announcement in early November, the show featured a dance music theme, and included special tributes to Donna Summer and Whitney Houston.[243][244][245][246] Lambert sang with Keri Hilson and Kelly Rowland in the Donna Summer tribute segment, opened the show with David Bowie's Let's Dance and performed Madonna's hit Ray of Light.[247][248] Lambert drew praise for his sketches, fashion and performances.[249][250][251] The concert benefited VH1's Save The Music Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes and supports music education in public schools.[252]
The album "Trespassing" was rewarded in year end lists and polls, among them best album of the year at Rolling Stone[253] and Ryan Seacrest.com, where Lambert was also voted "Male Artist of the Year";[254] number three at Billboard for "Favorite 200 No.1" albums,[255] and number eight on People magazine's list of "Top Ten Music" in its year end issue.[256] At VH1, two of the album's singles appeared on its list of 40 most watched videos, at numbers 4 and 36;[257] and Queen + Adam Lambert was named best live act of 2012 at Gigwise,[258] and one of Classic Rock magazine's top events of the year.[259][260]
To close out 2012, Lambert headlined a New Year's Eve show in the Grand Ballroom of The Mulia Resort in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia. The fourteen song set was called "thrilling . . . pure theater dressed in leather and glitter," and was Lambert's first performance in Indonesia,[261][262][263] ushering in several months of concerts throughout Asia.[264]
He appeared in Vietnam for the first time on January 4, 2013, performing and participating in a press conference[265] for a "Hennessy Artistry" event held in Ho Chi Minh City.[266]
Artistry
Voice
Critics, celebrities and colleagues have been outspoken in their praise for Lambert’s vocal abilities. Kathie Bretches-Urban, co-founder of Metropolitan Educational Theatre Network (now MET2) [267] where Lambert performed as a youth, said “He has invested his entire life in music and performing . . . He'd just come out onstage, and it popped . . . That gift is a passion.”[268] In a 2009 Associated Press interview, Wicked casting director Bernard Telsey, recalled Lambert's audition and his "amazing" voice: "I literally remember saying, 'Oh my God, this guy has the highest range’.”[268] Record producer Rob Cavallo once described Lambert as having an unlimited range, as well as being able to sing every note on a guitar from the lowest to the highest.[269][270] David Stroud, a Los Angeles based vocal teacher, coached Lambert for his 2010 international Glam Nation Tour, in which he performed 113 shows without vocal rest.[271] Stroud described Lambert as being able to "do extreme things with his voice that most singers will probably never be able to do . . . I will vocalize him to G above high C. He has climax notes at E's above high C, so I need to give him that extra range.”[272] In a March 2012 interview, rock artist Meat Loaf rated Lambert's voice in the company of only two others, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, based on "that jet pack quality to their voice that just lets it take off."[273]In 2011, when he took the stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards alongside honoree Queen, it was a fitting match for Lambert, whose theatrical style and vocals have often been compared with Freddie Mercury's.[274] Brian May, legendary guitarist for Queen, noted that Lambert’s voice has “sensitivity, depth, maturity, and awesome range and power which will make jaws drop”;[275] while Roger Taylor added that Lambert had "the best range I've ever heard" in a BBC interview in 2012.[276] Pharrell Williams, after collaborating with Lambert on his Trespassing album, commented, “This kid has a voice like a siren – there’s no guys singing in that Steve Winwood-Peter Cetera range.”
Style and Image
Lambert is best known for his theatrical performance style and meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of his personal presentation. He draws upon extensive stage experience in the ease with which he can refine and define his image through fashion and other imagery, which are essential to how he chooses to inhabit his songs and showcase his individuality.[278][279][280] While a contestant on Idol, Lambert's precise yet varied stagings of himself kept audiences and judges glued as much to his presentation as to his powerful voice.[281] Lambert's signature flamboyance and glam rock styling was a break-out moment in men's fashion, duly noted by fashion publications and taste-makers, who compared him to Lady Gaga in terms of crossing style boundaries and being unabashedly individual.[282][283][284]Lambert made three fashion related television appearances at the close of 2010, reflecting his growing visibility and association with fashion as a means of creative expression. He fused his passion for music and fashion on MTV's "Talk@Playground", appearing in discussion with Skingraft designer Jonny Cota.[285][286] He was selected as a guest judge on Project Runway, in an episode that styled emerging rock band, The Sheepdogs, for their upcoming Rolling Stone cover.[287] Fast becoming a fashion icon himself, Lambert was chosen as the subject around which the young designers of "All on the Line with Joe Zee" created a suitably modern look, which was then critiqued by Lambert and the hosts.[288][289]
In 2012, Idol added an image advisor, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, to its roster of mentors, underscoring the importance of developing a unique vision and performance identity for contestants. Hilfiger suggested it was the image makers with talent that would ultimately succeed in the entertainment world and specifically mentioned Lambert, stating: "I think Adam Lambert has incredible imagery. And I think he got it." [290][291]
Lambert continued to grace the covers of magazines, moving more specifically into the fashion and culture space, both in the US and internationally.[292][293][294][295] In the cover story for his highly stylized 2012 "Fault" Magazine shoot, he stated, "Now I feel like embracing contemporary menswear. I take note of collections and editorials and try and incorporate them into my wardrobe whenever possible."[296] Reflecting the mood and concept behind his album Trespassing, the "Fault" fashion shoot exemplified Lambert's commitment to aligning the elements of his artistic vision so that a cohesive narrative emerges.[297][298] His versatility and fierce stylistic choices are regularly the focus of commentary,[299][300][301][302] as he continues to break new ground in the use of imagery and style to enrich and extend his performances, celebrity and influence. That effect was on display in the heavy media coverage he received during New York Fashion Week 2012,[303][304][305][306] which he concluded with a guest appearance on E!'s Fashion Police.[307]
When Lambert appeared on the December 2012 cover of London-based high style magazine "Fiasco"'s "Obsession" issue, he again took the opportunity to manipulate and provoke with his image and style. Sporting a sophisticated, minimalist look that recalled old Hollywood, Lambert presented with no make-up and silver-grey hair sleekly parted on the side. With this pared down departure from what is seen as his signature glam aesthetic, Lambert played with male stereotypes and representations; and in the interview, emphasized that his fashion and presentation are often disparate from gay as well as straight regimes: "For the general audience, they look at the way I style myself and they go, 'Errrr, that's gay,' but you ask a handful of gay guys and they're like, 'I would never wear that!'".[308][309][310]
Influences
Lambert was inspired when his father gave him access to his large record collection of 1970s music. He quickly gravitated towards theatrical rock from artists such as Madonna, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Queen, Aerosmith, and Led Zeppelin.[311][312] Lambert has recognized Michael Jackson and Madonna as musically influential for him, saying they were the “King and Queen” because they both creatively merged their music with makeup, outfits and theatrical music videos.[313] He has often cited that many of his strongest influences have been British singers, such as Freddie Mercury, David Bowie and Robert Plant. He told the Daily Star, “Those are the people I really gravitate towards.”[314] When asked who his favorite performer of the glam rock era is, Lambert answered David Bowie: “he took costumes and story concepts for his Ziggy Stardust character to the next level. His music is amazing, and his lyrics are really intelligent.”[315] In an interview with NPR, Lambert said he spent hours upon hours listening to Queen, trying to figure out how Freddie Mercury did what he did with his voice. “His voice has so much texture to it, he kind of grabs at everything and squeezes it.” Lambert says that Mercury was “completely over the top in the best possible way” and as an openly gay performer, "he owes a debt to Mercury's flamboyance decades ago."[316]Lambert’s own music has been influenced by numerous genres including classic rock, pop, and electronic music. His theatrical performance style draws heavily from his stage experience.[317] The type of artist Lambert sees himself as being is “one that creates from the ground up, not only an amazing song, but one with a beat, and a story, and a look, and a theme.”[313] For his sophomore album, he used inspiration from classic disco, 1990s electronica, funk and dubstep music.[277]
Philanthropy
Since his appearance on American Idol, Lambert has supported various causes and charitable organizations. As of October 2011, donations reached the $1,000,000 mark.[318]In January 2009, Lambert asked fans to donate to DonorsChoose.org, an online education charity that allows individuals to contribute directly to public school projects, instead of giving him gifts for his 28th birthday. As Lambert requested, support was focused on music and arts programs, as 2,435 fans donated $322,700, which provided resources to nearly 332,527 students.[319] In June 2010, Lambert again teamed up with the charity by asking fans to join his "Glam A Classroom" campaign, which raised another $208,590, supported by 3,020 fans, and reaching 284,672 students.[320] Contributions to DonorsChoose had now reached $531,290. In October 2010, Lambert collaborated on a second Signature Collection design with The Pennyroyal Studio, which raised an additional $43,092 for DonorsChoose. The Infinity pendant design sold out and was retired in October 2010.[321]
Lambert contributed to the MusiCares charity when he and The Pennyroyal Studio collaborated on the design of an Eye of Horus pendant, whose sale raised $32,000 in 7 days. The pendant design was retired in August 2009.[322]
In January 2011, he started a campaign to raise $29,000 for charity: water to commemorate his 29th birthday. Funds raised by charity: water go towards bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Fans surpassed the goal set by Lambert in less than five hours, and donations reached $60,000 by the end of the next 24 hours. On Lambert's birthday, more than $115,000 in donations came in. According to the charity, that amount broke the record for most donations in a single day, and crashed their servers. By the end of the campaign, Lambert's fans had raised $323,803, which helped 16,190 people receive clean water.[323] He continued his efforts for his 30th birthday, in January 2012, this time asking fans to "give up" their birthdays in an ongoing fundraiser that had raised $82,000 by May 2012.[324]
Lambert returned to the American Idol stage for the March 10, 2011, results show, singing an acoustic version of his song "Aftermath", a track which appears in its original form on For Your Entertainment. After the performance, a dance remix version was made available for purchase, with proceeds benefitting The Trevor Project.[325]
Lambert was one of several artists who performed at Royal Albert Hall on June 7, 2012 in a concert benefiting the Rays Of Sunshine Children's Charity. The charity grants wishes to seriously ill children.[326][327]
On June 30, Elton John and Queen + Adam Lambert coordinated with the Olena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation for a concert to benefit the fight against HIV/AIDS. The event, which was UEFA supported and took place in Kiev on the eve of the Euro 2012 football final, was televised live from a packed Independence Square.[328][329][330]
On September 25, 2012, Lambert headlined a fundraising benefit in Washington, D.C. at the 9:30 Club on behalf of Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the group leading the campaign for a November 2012 ballot measure to uphold gay marriage, which Lambert views as a non-partisan, human rights issue.[331][332]
Lambert performed in the December 8 "Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays" benefit concert, which raised funds in support of the "True Colors Fund" and the organization's "Forty to None Project", targeting the epidemic of homelessness among LGBT youth.[333]
LGBT advocacy
Lambert received a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Music Artist in 2010. The same year, he lent his voice to a one-and-a-half minute video message on YouTube for the It Gets Better campaign – a project created by columnist Dan Savage in response to school bullying and a rash of suicides among young LGBT people aiming to "provide hope to youth struggling with their identity." Recorded while he was touring, the clip shows Lambert encouraging viewers to take pride in themselves, and not allow bullies to prevail.[337]
The following March, he released a Billboard remix version of his For Your Entertainment song "Aftermath" with a portion of the proceeds going to support The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT youth.[338] He raised an additional $43,500 for The Trevor Project after collaborating with The Pennyroyal Studio to make his own Peace pendant.[339] In October 2011, he raised another $2,100 from donations given on behalf of the Adam Lambert Glambert Fan Army for the MTV Dance Party Marathon. This raised funds to combat bullying in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month and was split between the LGBT charities GLSEN, It Gets Better Project, GSA, HRC, The Trevor Project and GLAAD.[340][341]
In January 2012, in an exclusive interview with UK music news magazine Pressparty, Lambert noted that despite social progress in the United States, there was still a long way to go, particularly in the music industry: “I still long for the LGBT community's diversity to be more broadly represented in the entertainment industry. I think larger strides have been made in film and TV but we still are just at the beginning with mainstream music. I consider myself a post-gay man working in a pre-gay industry."
In interviews surrounding his September 2012 benefit performance in support of Maryland's same-sex marriage referendum, he moved closer to accepting a more proactive role in the LGBT community, where previously he had expressed reluctance to be cast as a role model, political or otherwise. Stating that marriage equality is a cause he intends to work towards, one that "supersedes politics," Lambert also spoke his mind on a range of topics, including his belief that fear motivates much of the opposition to same-sex marriage; and that the only choice involved in sexual preference is whether or not to be honest about it. He also suggested that unequal treatment under the law is complicit in the burden of "shame and guilt and secrecy" that attaches to the LGBT community: a weight which he believes should be lifted from the next generation of youth.
No comments:
Post a Comment