American Idol’s Lambert a hit with GV crowd

Special to the Green Valley News

The last thing you might expect from this Green Valley, 40-something professional is that she’d be going to the American Idols Live Tour concert at the San Diego Sports Arena with her husband.

I am surprised myself, as the last stadium concert I attended with floor seating was David Bowie at Madison Square Garden in New York City in July 1983. During that concert they released mylar balloons from the ceiling and chaos ensued. I was thrown backward to the floor, people were walking on my arms and legs and I tried to protect my face. I swore I would never, ever return to the floor of a large concert venue again. I haven’t until now, 26 years later, for this American Idol. Why? To see Season 8 American Idol runner-up and rising star Adam Lambert perform in his hometown.

Why Adam? I, along with a lot of other people of all ages and races can’t seem to get enough of this 27-year-old versatile performer who some characterize as a glam rocker. Adam is known as much for his unique style as for his three-octave vocal range. From his first performance, we knew Adam had star quality. His fiercely loyal army of fans, called Glamberts, Google him daily, download anything Adam on iTunes and call him the next Elvis.

The Glamberts even have sub-groups, like his 30s to 60s female fans called cougars or senior cougars or Gramberts.

I don’t think people expected this openly-gay Idol to have such a large base of devoted older female fans.

“Adam is a very talented singer, is adorable, has a great personality and is going to go far,” said Mary Thompson, 69, of Green Valley. “I was very surprised he didn’t win Idol and felt he should have! He was the best!”

Adam has the uncanny ability to draw people like a magnet. He allows us into his world, and shows us who he is with no filter. This makes him very appealing and makes us feel like we really know him.

Carmen Scarlott, 63, of Green Valley likes that Adam is true to himself.

“Adam, like Elvis, has connected with people from 8 to 80,” she said. “He is a showman who plays to his audience. He is phenomenally talented.”

By all accounts Adam is a polite, humble guy. He shows us it’s O.K. to be different and promotes being positive. Adam holds nothing back in terms of his performance or his personal life.

MEDIA ATTENTION

Since finishing second to Idol winner Kris Allen in May, Adam’s life has been a whirlwind of media attention, awards and accolades. He won the Young Hollywood Artist of the Year Award, was featured in cover stories in Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone magazines, was named one of People Magazine’s Best Bachelors of 2009, had four songs in the Billboard Top 100 charts, landed a record deal with RCA and is writing and recording a solo album.

Not bad for just two months — and by a runner-up.

American Idol, known for launching the careers of Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Cook and Daughtry, makes dreams happen.

It’s ironic that Adam was performing in the chorus of Wicked LA and other venues scraping to make ends meet, discouraged and about to give up on his performing career when a colleague suggested he try out for Idol. The rest is history.

You could feel the excitement in the air as we approached the arena Saturday in San Diego (It comes to Glendale, Ariz., on Monday night). The American Idols live Tour encompasses 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada from July 5 through Sept. 15. Singers are paid $100,000 each for the tour. Fans wait in long lines for tickets ranging in price from $40.50 for nosebleed seats to more than $800 resale for front row center. The three-hour extravaganza showcases the top 10 Idols in solo and group numbers. Idol fans dress like their favorite Idols, and I’m not talking about just the teens. The Adam Lambert cougar fans were sporting their black, blue and silver Adam colors and were out in full force!

“I am 61 and am feeling like a teen again,” said Patricia Campana of San Diego. “I was part of the frenzy back in the Elvis days, loved the dramatics, the glitter, the over-the-top talent. Now with Adam it is the same, I am a love-sick groupie again... For me, he reminds me and re-inspires me that no matter that I am 61, that spirit is still alive in me.” Also in the floor seats were San Diego residents Annette Miller, 62, attending with her daughter Stacey and granddaughter.

They have “been talking and blogging about Rock God (Adam) and this concert forever!” she said. “What to wear, etc. I have never, ever become so infatuated, mesmerized, intoxicated with any celebrity as I have with Adam. The last time I purchased anything to listen to was 20 years ago. He is so talented, gorgeous, charismatic.”

Leather chic Toni Meurlot, 60-plus of San Diego, proclaimed, “I have loved Adam since I first saw him in the auditions. He’s hot, he’s smart and very funny. He is also very grounded. I love his sense of style... it parallels my own. I would not miss this concert for the world!”

BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE

From the beginning of Adam’s set, the arena went crazy. Wearing a custom leather jacket resembling a futuristic ringmaster, Adam exploded onto the stage with “Whole Lotta Love.” The performance was intense and electrifying. He took control of the show and never let go.

He shifted seamlessly into “Starlight” by Muse. The arena was bathed in blue light and mirrored balls created countless stars, making it a surreal and magical experience.

That magic continued while a seated Adam reprised his hit from American Idol, the slow and haunting “Mad World.” You could hear a pin drop. Next, pal Allison Iraheta joined him for the high-energy “Slow Ride” and the crowd roared. I couldn’t believe my ears when for the finale of his incredible set, Adam was singing a Bowie medley of “Life On Mars,” “Fame” and “Let’s Dance.” He got the audience on their feet and dancing with him. When Adam finished, the applause was deafening. There was no denying who the star of this show was.

So, a change has come, and everything has come full circle. I’m back on the floor in an arena hearing Adam sing the same songs that David Bowie sang that fateful night 26 years ago. I’ve faced my fear, am proudly cheering for Adam and believing in happy endings. Things are different for Adam, too. He is rocketing into superstardom stalked by paparazzi and adored by his fans. He no longer has to worry about paying his rent, or if people will like or accept him. A change has come indeed, and Adam Lambert is living the American dream.

Julie McCoy is a Realtor in Green Valley.