Adam Lambert AMA Performance: Falling, Fellatio, Fetishes -- He's Got Everybody Talking
Just How Successful was Adam Lambert's Performance at the 2009 American Music Awards?
The build-up to the Adam Lambert performance was the height of hyperbole. Every second of his time was consumed with interviews and rehearsals, while the lovestruck media couldn't stop talking about Adam Lambert's upcoming AMA performance, Adam Lambert's new single, Adam Lambert's new album (which was released the day after the AMAs on Monday, November 23).
And the 2009 American Music Awards played it up as well, saving Adam Lambert's performance of his debut single, "For Your Entertainment," for the musical finale of the night. Even the AMA Artist of the Year award was presented before the ex-American Idol standout took the stage. American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, appropriately enough, introduced Lambert.
But he warned everyone his performance would have "an edge to it."
And there he stood in his tailored suit with spikes extruding from his left shoulder. He sang a slow intro and when the song picked up its beat, Adam Lambert had a girl's face in his crotch. Then another. Guys and girls were everywhere, dancing and approaching the constantly moving Lambert, simulating sexual acts or being pushed away by the goth Elvis.
Whether one liked it or hated it, there was no escaping the fact that Adam Lambert's AMA performance was a riveting piece of entertainment. Some critics, like Michael Slezak, saw the performance as a complete failure, from sound to execution. Others, like Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker, thought it a great triumph of self-promotion. Tucker said: "Flouting convention: how rock & roll. Using TV instead of music as a way for a singer to maintain prominence: how pure pop."
And how Adam Lambert. Isn't that what he was known for on American Idol -- flouting the conventions of the previous seven seasons? Now Lambert is showing that can flout with the best of them (Lady Gaga, Alice Cooper, KISS, Elton John, David Bowie, etc., etc.).
At one point, as Lambert strutted across an elevated walkway, he seemed to take a tumble. It looked like a planned move, where he would drop, roll, and pick up a cane -- which is what he did. But it probably worked far better in rehearsal. It looked as if he fell, clumsily rolled, but still managed to pick up the cane (which he used as a dance prop). The roll produces that muffled mike noise when he was unable to protect it from his tumbling roll. Planned or not, people believe he fell and, along with the J-Lo fall on stage while she performed "Louboutins," the videos of their performances were much sought-after the day following the AMAs.
So... was it a crowning musical moment? No. Was it a great showcase of his vocal skills? Not really, although he got in a few of his over-the-top screams. But Adam Lambert's performance at the 2009 AMAs didn't have to be his pinnacle musical moment or a great vocal achievement. It was a promotional piece for his upcoming album. And Adam Lambert certainly put on a show...
But, ultimately, was it successful?
As a gauge to answer the previous question, perhaps the following question should be answered to fully appreciate whether or not Adam Lambert's 2009 American Music Awards performance was successful: Isn't everyone talking about Adam Lambert's performance?
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Sources:
Google.com
"2009 American Music Awards," ABC Television
EW.com
Published by Saul Relative
WVU graduate, with degrees in History, English, Secondary Education, Computer Programming, and Psychology (and nearly a degree in Political Science). Originally from West Virginia, with stints in Virginia,... View profile
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17 Comments
Post a Commenteveryone seems shocked he kissed a guy, but I have not seen anyone yet mention the part where there was a writhing girl on one of those scaffoldings in the air and Adam was below her and you can see him stick his finger up her crotch. Why was that not shocking or even mentioned?
I loved Adam on AI! So excited when he was going to perform on AMA...I sat there & wondered...where did all his talent go? The whole thing was...sad
Many of the live AMA performances were erotic, provocative and looked like they came out of a Vegas strip club. Thank God for Bikini waxing! I agree that Adam's performance was over the top - So What? Boys kiss boys - get used to it. If you want "wholesome, family entertainment", try the Disney channel.
The peformance was terrible. . . all those crazy antics - what was he thinking? Totally lost my respect. What a waste of a good voice.
what ever happened to standing in front of a microphone with a guitar and just singing? this is a MUSIC show. lets hear some great songs not gyrating, flashing lights and sex.
Jenn, Please. The sound was NOT screwed up. Why do people always make excuses for some idiots inadequacies? "He couldn't hear the music....sound was screwed up......yada, yada, yada. If he was good, he would have overcome. What a piece of sh*t.
For the ones who never heard of Adam Lambert and saw him for the first time strutting around on the AMAs, yeah, I get that they'd be shocked and upset. To his true fans that knew for months that he'd do something like what he did, yeah, they got it. But to the ones who say they are 'former' fans or who supported him before but can't anymore because of his outrageousness, all I can say is that THAT is all BS. You knew what was coming. And if they can show people simulating sex on the network, like Desperate Housewives, or show commercials that are supposed to be funny when kids are being slapped as a game, and during prime time to boot, then people shouldn't complain about Adam's act. It was the last act when kids are supposed to be sleeping and not like the other entertainers were exactly sweet either. Come on, peeps, quit being hypocrites. Elvis was called disgusting partly because of those gyrating hips and that was 50 years ago and now he's still 'The King'. Snap out of it
Jenn-Ditto! He pushes the envelope, and that's why so many are complaining. Many people are just too YELLOW to come out and admit they are homophobes.
Instead, we hear and read some of this B.S. to mask their own bigotry.
Where are these people when women have done the same thing at these award shows?
Hartley Engel. You're right. But, it was truly a sound issue related to stage sound, ear monitors and multiple setups for multiple bands and performers.
Awards shows always have trouble with "pitchy vocals" and poor mixes. That is why many performers use prerecorded music and vocals for such shows.
Adam had to live with the conditions of performing on a large stage with complex choreography, which is always the most difficult to deal with on every level.
Adam had to sing while, much of the time, not being able to hear either himself, the band and/or the accompanying vocals.
The best singers in the business have done the same thing on these shows. To simply say Adam had a "substandard vocal performance" doesn't understand how all this works.
I love Adam. I don't think this performance is new or anymore overtly sexual than so many others I have seen with female artist or back in the Lou Reed David Bowie time period. Adam is a dear person and this was just a 'performance'. Adam's album is fantastic and I wish him all the best!!