Adam Lambert is an American singer-songwriter and actor from Indianapolis, Indiana. Born in 1982, he is known for a wide vocal range, prominent vibrato and a style that combines strong belting with falsetto.

Career

Lambert first gains wider attention as the runner-up on the eighth series of American Idol in 2009. He is identified as the first openly gay pop and rock artist to launch a major-label career in the United States.

His debut album, For Your Entertainment, is released in 2009 through RCA Records and 19 Recordings. It reaches number three on the Billboard 200 and sells 198,000 copies in its first week in the United States. By early 2011, it has sold more than 1.2 million copies worldwide. The album includes “Whataya Want from Me” and “If I Had You”.

In 2010, Lambert receives a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Whataya Want from Me”. He later releases his second studio album, Trespassing, through 19 Recordings. He also serves as an executive producer on that album.

Vocal style and comparisons

Lambert is noted for a three-octave vocal range, along with vibrato, falsetto and powerful, piercing belting that extends into the fifth octave. His singing is compared with figures from glam rock and hard rock, including Freddie Mercury of Queen, Brian Connolly of Sweet and Roger Daltrey of The Who. Brian May of Queen praises the reach, depth, maturity and power of Lambert’s voice.

Queen + Adam Lambert

He is also associated with Queen + Adam Lambert.