As Queen Prepares to Ignite Stages Once Again, Brian May Reveals the Secret Weapon Behind Their Unstoppable Resurgence: Adam Lambert

After more than five decades of global anthems, iconic guitar solos, and unforgettable performances, Queen is preparing to take the stage once again. But this time, as fans from London to Tokyo eagerly await the return of the rock legends, the band’s founding guitarist Brian May has made it clear: their enduring fire has a secret weapon — and his name is Adam Lambert.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone UK, May opened up about the band’s revival, the electric chemistry on stage, and the moment he knew Queen had found something extraordinary in Lambert. “We didn’t expect to go this far again,” he admitted. “But then Adam came along, and it was like being struck by lightning — in the best way possible.”

Queen, whose legacy was shaped by the incomparable Freddie Mercury, faced years of uncertainty following Mercury’s death in 1991. While tributes, collaborations, and experimental projects kept the music alive, many fans and critics wondered whether the band could ever truly return to the grandeur of its past.

Then, in 2009, everything changed when Adam Lambert performed “Bohemian Rhapsody” as a contestant on American Idol — with Brian May and Roger Taylor joining him on stage for the finale. The sparks were immediate, the applause thunderous, and the journey had begun.

“What we saw in Adam was not someone trying to be Freddie,” May explained. “It was someone honoring Freddie, while being fearlessly himself.”

Since officially teaming up as Queen + Adam Lambert in 2012, the band has played to sold-out stadiums across the globe. From the O2 Arena to Madison Square Garden to the Tokyo Dome, the reception has been nothing short of euphoric. And according to May, the reason they’re able to reignite that same energy night after night comes down to Lambert’s extraordinary presence.

“Adam has this rare combination of vocal range, theatrical flair, and genuine humility,” May said. “He’s not trying to imitate. He’s channeling the spirit of Queen while bringing his own fire. That’s why it works.”

The band is now preparing for a major world tour in 2025, with dates already sold out in several cities. Fans old and new are flocking for the chance to see the legendary music performed live with a voice that can do it justice — and often take it to places no one expects.

For Lambert, the honor isn’t something he takes lightly.

“I never thought I’d be fronting Queen,” he told BBC Radio 2. “It’s surreal. Every time I walk on stage with them, I feel that energy — the love for the music, the connection with the fans, and the spirit of Freddie that still lives in every note.”

Behind the scenes, the collaboration is built on mutual respect. May and Taylor have praised Lambert not just as a performer, but as a friend and creative partner. The group often spends weeks in rehearsal perfecting their setlist, ensuring the legacy of Queen is upheld with both reverence and evolution.

Their upcoming set is rumored to include both timeless hits — “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody to Love,” “Radio Ga Ga” — and rarely performed deep cuts, all brought to life with Lambert’s soaring vocals and unmatched stage presence.

Critics have largely agreed that this incarnation of Queen isn’t just a nostalgia act — it’s a living, breathing reinvention.

As The Guardian once wrote, “Lambert doesn’t replace Mercury. He reminds us why Mercury mattered — and why Queen still does.”

Fans have echoed this sentiment, especially younger generations discovering the band for the first time through Lambert’s performances. Social media is flooded with clips of “Who Wants to Live Forever” or “The Show Must Go On,” featuring Lambert’s powerhouse vocals sending chills through packed arenas.

For Brian May, the message is simple: Queen is not about standing still. It’s about rising again — louder, prouder, and more alive than ever.

“People ask if this is our last tour,” he said, chuckling. “Honestly, as long as Adam’s with us, and the music keeps meaning something to people, we’re not going anywhere.”

In Adam Lambert, Queen didn’t just find a singer.
They found the spark that turned embers into a full-blown fire once more.