***THI IS MYTAKE ON THE SPEECH, SO IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED OR JUST “OVER” THIS TOPIC, YOU MIGHT WANT TO JUST SCROLL PAST IT***
Behind the times but wanting to respond to Lurleen and others’ comments regarding the speech and its impact as they see it. I know we have looked at this issue before but not on this particular tour, which is different in many ways than other tours.
I believe this “pink elephant” version, the tipping point, has been reached, and to me, it is beginning to hurt Adam. People can say that Queen was often viewed negatively by the critics. However, the immediate and widespread dissemination of any written information makes it easy to read anything so that people who might not have otherwise do so to read. I know that I have read something that I would never have searched for just because it was right there, easy pickings.To me, at least, this is a big difference in Queen and QAL.
Also, lessening (don’t know a better word) himself within the context of Queen could, I fear, spill over into the solo career he has been building brick by brick. Maybe I am wrong about this.
Of course, not everybody likes Adam and QAL.
But Adam’s speech, as is, provides journalists (or whatever we see them as ) an easy and ready hook to hang sections of their reviews from. I have noticed that now, many of those people have moved to critique Adam’s individual songs. Reducing TSMGO and IWIA to borderline flops because of Adam’s singing infuriates me. It was not terribly long ago that I remember a critic giving Adam a glowing review, moving as close as anyone I have seen to posing the question by saying something like “Moving to the great man himself, is it possible that Lambert...” (paraphrase), wish I had that article.
After eight years, it seems time for a revision of the speech, fairly easy to do if Adam gives his usual respects to Roger and Brian first, as I believe is appropriate and they are those who are still standing on that stage, playing and singing their hearts out and those who are Adam’s family and mentors.
Then, Adam could speak briefly about the late, great Freddie Mercury in a way that doesn’t diminish Adam in doing so. And it’s possible that after the Tribute Concert, John said to someone never to even mention his name in connection with Queen, but if not, he deserves at least a sentence, maybe after Roger and Brian but before Freddie. Then, you have mentioned the four pillars, so to speak, of the band whose legacy will, I think, live on and on.
There is a point to this jump, I promise. For those who are already familiar with the poem, you might want to just skip this part. There is a poem by the great Samuel Taylor Coleridge called
“Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. I am condensing much, leaving in the parts I personally see as a type of parallel between
The Ancient Mariner and Adam. So, there is a ship upon which our mariner is traveling. Amongst all kinds of bad luck such as the ship being trapped in the doldrums, a single albatross appears and leads them to what briefly seems to be a respite. The Mariner shoots the albatross, and for his punishment, is forced to wear the albatross around his neck and recount what he has done. After many more, often supernatural, usually frightening and cursed adventures, the ship makes landfall, the Mariner the only survivor. However, although the corpse isn’t around his neck in a literal sense, it is most certainly with him as he wanders the earth, stopping people and telling his tale over and over in an unceasing penance.
Adam has shot no albatross (and I’m looking at the albatross as Freddie here in an obviously symbolic way). Yet like the Mariner, Adam has been wandering the earth year after year telling his tale to thousands and thousands. Yes, it was necessary to go as far in the beginning, but I just cringe when I hear it now.
At the Tacoma concert, I was sitting next to a delightful young woman who came because of the movie. She was lots of fun. When Adam gave the “Pink Elephant” speech, she asked me why he did it because it was like he was making himself be not so good. I simply replied that I didn’t know. I am just so worn out by the whole thing. But, of course, my opinion doesn’t matter one iota, and we all know that Adam will do what he wants!!!
For those who read this part, thanks for indulging in my geekiness! After so many years teaching literature, it is just often the lens through which I view my world. And as always, thanks for excusing any writing problems due to my eye issues. I guess that embarrasses me after so many years teaching. Maybe my albatross... .
I
I know I don’t have to read these articles if they upset me, but as someone who is squarely in the Queenbert camp, I have enjoyed reading them for a long time. Maybe it’s just time for me to stop that, though.
Thank you for letting me vent. My husband is tired of hearing it. I want to be clear: I love Queen; I love QAL; I love Freddie; I love Adam, so if it seems that I do not feel that way, please forgive and know that it is unintentional.
I guess I’m feeling very protective of Adam while also feeling a little aggravated at him too. 🤷♀️