American sensation! Adam Lambert became a fan favorite on the eighth season of “American Idol” and quickly stormed the pop charts thereafter. An androgynous, raven-haired showman, Lambert has a penchant for classic rock, leather pants and black eyeliner and camp of all sorts. On Idol, Lambert drew comparisons to David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant, and though he eventually finished runner-up to Kris Allen, Lambert’s Idol run vaulted him from virtual unknown to pop sensation over night. Lambert’s Idol audition performances of Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” landed him a spot in the show’s second round, though cantankerous judge Simon Cowell called Lambert “theatrical, and therefore not current.” His Idol high point came when he performed an ethereal version of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World” and earned a standing ovation from Cowell. Finishing second didn’t appear to hold Lambert’s career back, and he quickly signed with RCA Records.”For Your Entertainment,” a mix of radio-ready rock and electropop, sold nearly 200,000 copies in its first week. Lambert’s follow up albums were “Trespassing” and “The Original High.” Adam Lambert puts on a hell of a show.
