26-year-old Adam Lambert had made it all the way to the American Idol live finale, when he was tasked with singing alongside one of the most legendary bands in the history of rock music.
This performance could have left the rising star broken beneath the pressure and sheer terror of having to stand out amongst the most recognizable act on the scene. But when Adam hit the stage, his vocals totally upstaged the pros.
Music Man readers can watch the shocking moment unfold in the video above – it’s already racked up more than 700,000 YouTube hits, with hundreds of viewers reckoning, “This is the most epic performance in Idol history!”
Adam hits the stage in a jet-black fit, a cage of gothic angel wings adorning his shoulders and his 2009 emo hair intact. His first verse instantly dazzles the crowd, who break out into screams and cheers, cutting through the heart-wrenching atmosphere of KISS’ megalithic ballad, “Beth.”
His vocals come steeped in emotion, confidence, and a magnetic sense of star power, as he enchants the audience with his tender melodies. But then, Adam shocks them all.
He exclaims, “Ladies and gentlemen – KISS!” leaving the Idol crowd to erupt once more in deafening applause. But the glam rock gods KISS couldn’t simply walk out on a stage during a live TV performance. They descend from a floating platform, hovering above the main stage as Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Ace Frehley unleash their 1976 hit, “Detroit Rock City.”
Painted in their full, iconic stage makeup, with six-inch heels and terrorizing black and silver costumes, KISS take to the American Idol finale as if it’s their very own arena show.
As KISS ditch their floating platform for the main stage microphones, Adam Lambert stands between the rock legends, seeming a little out of place as Paul Stanley belts out the hit’s first verse.
But as soon as Adam takes over the lead vocals, it’s clear he’s a fellow rock god in the making. His fearless voice and personality slot straight into KISS’ own aesthetic. When he reaches for some pitch-perfect high notes, he practically upstages the band on their own song!
The KISS medley evolves: “Rock and Roll All Night” blaring through the arena and transforming the Idol finale into an all-out party. After a few lines from Gene Simmons, Adam snatches the limelight again, singing with grit whilst weaving some show-stealing new vocal runs into the timeless hit. Even Paul Stanley smashing his glittering silver guitar on stage can’t distract from how epic Adam’s set-ending, glass-shattering high notes are.
Astoundingly, Adam Lambert lost out on the Season 8 American Idol crown. Arkansas singer Kris Allen beat the soon-to-be Queen frontman after more than 100 million votes were cast. But, to anyone who’s followed Adam’s career since, it’s clear who the real winner is; Adam’s KISS collab capturing every essence of what made him the legend he is today.