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Queen, Adam Lambert kick off Oscars with 2 classic rock anthems

Singer Adam Lambert (R) and Brian May of Queen perform onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California.

Credit: Kevin Winter

Credit: Kevin Winter

Singer Adam Lambert (R) and Brian May of Queen perform onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
By Shelby Lin Erdman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Feb 25, 2019

The rock band Queen and singer Adam Lambert opened the 91st Academy Awards, the first hostless Oscar show in 30 years, with two classic Queen rock anthems.

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Revving up the crowd of luminaries with a rendition of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions,” Lambert got the Oscars off to an explosive start.

Queen was the focus of the Oscar-nominated film "Bohemian Rhapsody," starring Rami Malek, who won the best actor Academy Award for his performance as Freddie Mercury in the movie.

The opening number got the awards crowd cheering and pumping their fists.

Explore>> Related: ‘Aquaman’ actor Jason Momoa wears Oscars tux from one of Karl Lagerfeld’s last collections

Lambert first rose to fame as a runner-up on the popular “American Idol” singing competition in 2009. He auditioned for the show with the song -- wait for it -- “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

About the Author

Shelby Lin Erdman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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