Queen, with singer Adam Lambert, opened the Academy Awards Sunday night with a powerful, abridged version of the group’s 1977 double-sided single, “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.” The performance opened with drummer Roger Taylor thundering out the iconic drumbeat of “We Will Rock You” as Lambert, clad in a sparkling turquoise jacket with black pants, a black shirt and black cravat, roared out the song’s lyrics, originally sung by Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991. The group quickly segued into “We Are the Champions,” moving quickly to the song’s rousing chorus as stars in the audience, from Tom Cruise to Octavia Spencer to Jennifer Lopez, could be seen singing along. A beaming Rami Malek, who portrays Mercury in the Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” — nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Malek — was briefly shown seated in the crowd. As the song raced to its conclusion, Lambert and guitarist Brian May raced toward the front of the stage as the image of Mercury appeared on the screen behind them and fireworks cascaded from the ceiling. While Lambert’s vocals are not featured in “Bohemian Rhapsody” — they’re either Mercury’s or those of soundalike Marc Martel — he has had a good run fronting Queen in the years since the three first appeared together when Lambert was a contestant on “American Idol” in 2009. The group began working together more seriously in 2011, launched a tour the following year and have done several treks, including a Las Vegas residency, since then. The pairing makes sense multiple levels. Lambert, unquestionably one of the strongest singers to emerge from “Idol,” is versatile enough singer to cover Freddie Mercury’s range; their voices are similar but not so much that Lambert falls into tribute-singer territory; and the fact that he rose to fame singing covers on “Idol” somehow makes his role in Queen an easier fit than another vocalist more associated with a different band and song catalog, as was the case with former Bad Company and Free singer Paul Rodgers, who sang with Queen previously. The performance marks a rare instance where a music spot on the Oscars might be considered one of the show’s biggest ratings-baiting “gets,” between the movie’s blockbuster success ($212 million in the U.S. to date, and a worldwide cume of $854 million) and the fact that Queen itself is undyingly popular (the song that gave “Bohemian Rhapsody” its title was named in December as the most streamed song ever that originated in the 20th century). While “Bohemian Rhapsody” takes considerable liberties with the group’s history, the power of the band’s music and a spellbinding performance from Malek have overshadowed most of the criticism. Watch the performance below:<doc-sep>Performing artists and presenters of the 61st GRAMMY Awards have the option of taking a stroll through the GRAMMYS Gifting Lounge to receive some fabulous (and fabulously free) items during rehearsal days. "We're thrilled to be a very small part of a very big show,” said Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, which has produced the GRAMMYs Gifting Lounge for the past 20 years. "It’s something that the artists now, over the years, have grown accustomed to as a perk they are very well aware that they get for coming on the show, which is very cute." Fary noted that Distinctive Assets' GRAMMYs Gifting Lounges have won over some big names. "In the past people like Mary J. Blige have shown up and said, 'Where’s the gift lounge?' And even when artists don't have the time or interest to come through the lounge, like Adele, the last time she was in LA and on the show she asked for some of the kids’ stuff. We had Hasbro Games here, so she asked that the kid stuff be brought to her dressing room so her son could play with them. “We have artists like Ricky Martin and Faith Hill, who don't do gift lounges typically but they’ll do ours because they know that we are here as a true artform of the GRAMMYS and we respect them," he revealed. "They know if we say we aren't doing photos then we won’t do photos, that we have great stuff, that we respect their time and get them in and out quickly. So it’s just great! These are my favorite three days of the year, GRAMMYS rehearsal days, and we've got amazing thank-you gifts for them. There’s something for everyone." ReFa Massager Photo credit: Tamara Palmer The Recording Academy took an exclusive spin through the Gifting Lounge when it opened on Thursday afternoon and got a peek at some of those perks that stars can take home. This year, there are a number of vendors focused on beauty and wellness, including ReFa's Japanese microcurrent beauty rollers and collagen-enhanced drink mixers, Source Naturals' vitamins and herbal supplements, Neoteny’s age-fighting kits (including a mask called Resting Bitch Face), It’s a 10's pro hair care tools and entertainment industry’s makeup that breathes and heals skin as it conceals, pitched as a smart choice for the entertainment industry's heavy makeup needs Oxygenetix Photo credit: Tamara Palmer Guests are invited to experience ishiki, a Japanese sense of consciousness and well-being, via a virtual reality trip to Kyoto; stars will be gifted a pair of virtual reality glasses to take more transportive trips at home or while on the road. 23 and Me will allow stars to dig deeper into their ancestry, teasing that they never know what they might discover. Truth Initiative packed backpacks full of Xbox games, hats, sunglasses and fanny packs from their forthcoming retail collection to say "don't get played" when it comes to vaping and smoking. Dr. Tabatha Carr flew from Oklahoma to California to showcase her gluten-free, dairy-free and naturally sweetened Good Girl Chocolate at the GRAMMYs Gifting Lounge. After showing us before and after pictures of her 100-pound weight loss, she offered us a taste of a lush vegan dark chocolate-encased agave and cashew butter filled caramel that could easily become a happy habit. Ishiki Photo credit: Tamara Palmer Grossé, a costume jewelry designer that designed collections for Dior for over 50 years, hopes to drip stars in convincing baubles, while Millianna is introducing "shoelery," chains meant to be draped around boots or stilettos. PRSVR, a Chicago lifestyle brand that recently opened a by-appointment showroom just blocks away, is hoping to gift Cardi B with a pair of fur sleeves—vegan or fox, her choice. "We've been fortunate to really use Instagram to connect with celebrities,” said PRSVR's Margaret Williamson. "So our client list includes Tank, Diddy, Ciara, Teyana Taylor, Meek Mill, Fabolous and Nicki Minaj." Good Girl Chocolate Photo credit: Tamara Palmer Alpha Priority, a worldwide meet and greet airport concierge service, was looking forward to catching up with the stars planning on coming through the Gifting Lounge, many of whom a rep said are already clients. They’ll be gifted with a free meet and greet that will be arrange at their convenience. As the longtime GRAMMYS Gifting Lounge producer, Lash Fary certainly isn't one to get star-struck, but there is one particular luminary who he hopes to see in there this year. "Dolly Parton,” he said, name-checking the MusiCares Person of the Year without hesitation. "Just because she’s so nice! Dolly is one of my favorite people. I’ve met her at a few award shows so I love her and I’m hoping that we get to see her. There’s not a lovelier person on the planet than Dolly; she just makes you feel good about yourself." Watch the 61st GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10 on CBS.<doc-sep>Instead of an opening speech from a host, the 2019 Oscars began with a huge performance from Queen featuring American Idol alum and habitual Queen collaborator Adam Lambert as the vocalist. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. "We will... We will... ROCK YOU." Queen and Adam Lambert get the 2019 #Oscars started with a bang. https://t.co/RbE291ZMLq pic.twitter.com/T0LKvEoXiM — ABC News (@ABC) February 25, 2019 Queen's music and story formed the focus of the Oscar-nominated film Bohemian Rhapsody, starring Rami Malek as the group's vocalist, the late Freddie Mercury. Mercury was honored during the performance: Kevin Winter Getty Images The much beloved hits of the classic band moved much of the star-studded audience, including Lady Gaga, Glenn Close, and Mike Myers: This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Lady Gaga dancing to Adam Lambert and Queen >>> #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ntyZKB28BH — E! News (@enews) February 25, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Adam Lambert and Queen kick off the #Oscars, ensuring the Glenn Close is sufficiently rocked pic.twitter.com/6cPiChEayU — Asha Kodithuwakku (@AshaKodi) February 25, 2019 Lots of people tuned in to see how the Academy Awards ceremony would kick off without a host, and viewers had a lot of opinions on the Queen tribute: This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. How come no one in the room knows how to do the WE WILL ROCK YOU clapping like the entire movie was about how the clapping would be easy — Emily Heller (@MrEmilyHeller) February 25, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Academy Awards to everyone doing their best to seem like they are having fun during We Will Rock You! — Joel Kim Booster (@ihatejoelkim) February 25, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. which kind soul among us will tell adam lambert that auditions for bohemian rhapsody on broadway are already closed — Jenna Wortham (@jennydeluxe) February 25, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. ROGER FUCKING TAYLOR BRIAN FUCKING MAY ADAM FUCKING LAMBERT FREDDIE. FUCKING. MERCURY. — ً (@billhaderstan) February 25, 2019 This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Adam Lambert and Queen opening the #Oscars is pretty badass, but I kinda miss comedians coming out and throwing sharp barbs at the actors in the audience.#OscarsSoHostless pic.twitter.com/nARyiUPexP — BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) February 25, 2019 Estelle Tang Senior Editor Estelle Tang is the former senior editor of ELLE.com. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>
Even though Queen has been a band that has lasted through the ages, their music certainly has had a revival thanks, in part, to the award winning Bohemian Rhapsody. The film, starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, is up for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles. But they got to show that they've still got what it takes to wow a crowd after opening the Oscars ceremony. Advert 10 Adam Lambert filled the shoes of the late Freddie Mercury and the original members were there in force. They performed 'We Will Rock You' and 'We Are The Champions' - two of Queen's biggest hits. People watching their performance tonight certainly feeling like Lambert is a worthy successor to Mercury. One person wrote: "One of the best #Queen moments ever!!! #Queen opening the show. Loved the picture of Freddie at the end." Advert 10 Another added: "That was an awesome opening @adamlambert was amazing (and Queen of course)." Queen + Adam lambert @ the oscars,@brianmaycom , @OfficialRMT .... knocked it out of the park boys!!!!!! Outstanding!!!! - Mac (@UglyMacMusic) February 25, 2019 Queen opening at the #Oscars and showing Freddie just cured my depression :sob: - Sarah (@astro_babe97) February 25, 2019 All eyes will be on Rami Malek tonight to see if he can take out the Best Actor award. Advert 10 He's up against some stiff competition with Christian Bale for Vice, Viggo Mortensen for Green Book, Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born and Willem Dafoe for At Eternity's Gate. The film has won a bunch of awards since being released last year but obviously the Oscars are the top gong in the entertainment industry. The Queen x Lambert duo has been touring the world as a collective since 2011 and even performed at the closing ceremony for the 2012 Olympics in London.