Aglow on a stage lit with pulsing stage lights and golden light bulbs hanging above his head, Adam Lambert took to the stage at the Polar Music Prize 2025 ceremony to pay tribute to one of the bands being honored that night – Queen. Acting as the band’s lead singer since 2012, no one could pay a more fitting tribute than Adam would be able to. When our Music Man readers see his rendition of ‘Another One Bites The Dust’, they will see exactly why he was chosen as Queen’s live vocalist.
When Adam began singing for Queen, he was faced with the undeniably gargantuan task of trying to fill the shoes of Freddie Mercury. As many viewers in the comments of his ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ performance pointed out, “Adam is just being himself and [is] the perfect choice to keep Freddie’s legacy alive.” His success truly lies in capturing the spirit of Queen while putting his own spin on the songs, and that ability shone in his tribute to the band at the ceremony that night.
One of the most special things to me about his performance was seeing Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May watching Adam from the audience. While all Queen fans feel passionately about Freddie’s legacy with the band, myself included, it’s hard to imagine how they must have felt about finding someone to fill their friend’s shoes. It feels enormously touching to see them looking on proudly, as their legacy, together with Freddie’s, is honored so spectacularly.
The tribute became even more moving when Adam then went on to perform Queen’s iconic ballad ‘Who Wants To Live Forever.’ The moving and theatrical song really gave Adam the opportunity to show the power and expressiveness that lie in his voice. Music Man readers will be touched to see how emotional Brian and Roger looked in the audience as Adam performs one of Queen’s most poignant songs, showing their appreciation by leading a standing ovation at the end of his performance.
As intimidating as it must have been for Adam Lambert to step into the role as Queen’s vocalist, it is now clear he has made that role his own. In doing so, he can give both the band and the fans the ability to continue celebrating the legacy of Queen’s music. When something as spectacular as Queen exists, it can be tempting to keep its legacy preserved in time so as not to put its reputation at risk. However, by embracing change, this band has guaranteed their continued appreciation today as they stand at the forefront of keeping the music’s legacy alive.
Adam Lambert’s tribute to Queen at the Polar Music Prize 2025 was a testament to his extraordinary talent and heartfelt connection to the band’s legacy. His ability to honor Freddie Mercury while bringing his own unique style to the stage left an indelible impression. To witness more of Adam’s incredible journey with Queen and discover additional performances, explore the links below.
