Adam Lambert, the talented singer from American Idol and the current frontman of the legendary band Queen, gave an unforgettable performance of Cher’s famous 1998 song “Believe” at the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors in 2019. His emotional performance brought Cher to tears, making it a night to remember.
The event took place on December 26, 2018, at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., and it was broadcast for millions to see. The Kennedy Center Honors is a prestigious event that celebrates artists for their lifetime achievements, and Cher was one of the honorees that year.
Adam Lambert’s version of “Believe” was very different from the original upbeat and electronic style. He turned it into a slow and heartfelt ballad, making it even more emotional. As he sang, the cameras showed Cher wiping away tears, clearly touched by the performance. Even three weeks later, she was still thinking about it! She took to Twitter and wrote, “BEYOND COMPREHENSION,” showing just how much it meant to her.
But Cher wasn’t the only one who had a surprise that night! Rock legend Cyndi Lauper also had something special planned. She had told Cher earlier that she wouldn’t be able to make it to the event, but that turned out to be a little white lie. She appeared on stage and performed Cher’s hit song “If I Could Turn Back Time,” making the audience go wild. To end the night on a high note, Lauper and Lambert joined forces for an amazing duet of “I Got You Babe,” a classic song that Cher originally sang with Sonny Bono.
In an interview with Attitude magazine, Lambert shared how he felt about performing “Believe.” He admitted that he was really nervous before going on stage. “My heart was in my throat,” he said. But despite the nerves, he felt honored to sing a song by one of the greatest artists of all time. Lambert also revealed that he has been a fan of Cher since his high school days. In fact, her 1998 album Believe was one of his favorites back then.
This wasn’t the first time Lambert amazed audiences with a tribute to a music legend. Back in 2016, he performed an incredible version of George Michael’s 1987 hit song “Faith” on the TV show Greatest Hits. His powerful voice impressed everyone, and after both performances, fans have started calling him one of the best vocalists of his generation.
The Kennedy Center Honors is one of the biggest awards an American artist can receive. The ceremony has been happening for 44 years, honoring amazing people in the world of music, theater, and film. In 2018, alongside Cher, other honorees included country music star Reba McEntire, jazz musician Wayne Shorter, composer Philip Glass, and the creative team behind the hit musical Hamilton, including Lin-Manuel Miranda.
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