Season 8 alum Adam Lambert returned to American Idol on Sunday (April 30) to mentor the Top 12 contestants as they rehearsed songs by artists inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.
The singer also performed “I Can’t Stand The Rain” a song originally recorded by Ann Peebles in 1973. It’s from the Queen frontman’s new album of covers High Drama.
Before Adam took the stage, Host Ryan Seacrest introduced him while standing by the judges panel. Katy Perry sat with her back turned to the camera, wearing a white cape with “Adam Lambert” embroidered in red on the back.
A cool throwback
Old school American Idol fans may remember that cape. It’s a shout out to the Season 8 Top 3 results show. Katy stopped by American Idol that night as a guest performer to sing her new single at the time, “Waking Up in Las Vegas” from her 2008 album, One of the Boys.
At the top of her performance, the young singer had her back to the audience. And there it was, the cape! She clutched both sides with her arms spread wide, so that everyone in the audience got the message. She was Team Adam. Katy then turned around and performed the song with a bevy of Las Vegas like showgirls dancing behind her.
As it turned out, the two knew each other in Hollywood before either one became famous. Adam would go on to make the Top 2 and end the season as the runner-up to winner Kris Allen.
What a throwback!
“I owe Idol a big debt of gratitude”
After Adam’s high octane performance, he shared with Ryan about why he returns to American Idol time and time again. Adam was so tall in his platform boots, that Ryan jokingly stood on a box to interview him. Adam said, “I owe Idol a big debt of gratitude. If it weren’t for Idol I don’t think I’d be here with you right now. I don’t think I’d be touring the world. It launched everything for me, and I’m so greatful!”
Indeed, Adam is now fronting the iconic classic rock group Queen, touring the world singing the band’s catalog. He initially met Sir Brian May during the American Idol finale, where he and Kris Allen performed with the band. They hit it off so well at the time, that the eventually joined forces to create Queen + Adam Lambert. The outfit has successfully toured the world bringing to life the band’s rich catalog. Adam walks the fine line of honoring the late Freddie Mercury’s legacy, while putting his own stamp on the songs. Adam and Queen will be touring the United States this fall.
