The day arrived! My daughter driving, me riding shotgun, and four teenagers (three of my grandkids and a friend), we’re off to the Staples Center in Los Angeles for American Idol. A van with six Glamberts inside.
On the road again.
Four beautiful girls – Ali, Sarah, Daxton and Katie. Last year when we went to the Idol concert, we stopped to visit a friend in the hospital first, then we got lost because although I grew up in Los Angeles and knew we were heading the wrong way, the navigation system said we were going the right way. The electronics must be right, right? Wrong. This year, no problem. We weren’t rushed and got there to have dinner at ESPN Zone – right before the crowds hit!
My daughter on the left.
As we headed to Staples Center, I got a tweet from Michael Sarver. (Ok, he wasn’t tweeting just me, but I felt important anyway.) He said some of the idols were outside greeting the crowd, so we zoomed over there and saw Danny, Kris, and Matt Giraud. No Adam, boo hoo. I guess he had too much media to do. Everyone is interested in HIM.
Kris Allen
Kris was totally cool – so relaxed, so nice, very laid back. Danny signed item after item with great patience.
Moi - with Matt Giraud
Matt Giraud turned out to be the big surprise of the night. We all knew he was good – but wow, he rocked that arena! Could have listened to him forever. He was one hot tamale.
Ok – time to go in.
Inside the Staples Center
The kids had seats away from ours which probably led to greater enjoyment on their part. And I actually bought an Adam tee shirt! What was I thinking? Will I have the courage to actually wear it? Ummmmm – YES!
So WHY WERE WE HERE?
I have to take a little detour here into the Adam phenomenon. When I was in school, I was madly in love with Bobby Rydell! But my big crush was Don Drysdale. That’s right, a baseball player. While the other kids were swooning over Fabian and Frankie Avalon, I was stuck on Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax. Right there, that should tell you that I am not quite mainstream. I’ve never joined a fan club, never been gaga over movie stars or entertainers (I did have a picture of Harrison Ford in my closet however). But here comes Adam Lambert.
I don’t think it’s a matter of adoration, crushes, etc. But we are, so many of us and yes, so many of us in my age group, completely mesmerized by this man. We scream for him, we watch the performances on youtube over and over, and look for any mention of him on the news or the blogs. Why? Of course, he is completely good-looking, handsome, dashing in a slightly dangerous sort of way, but we might get bored looking if he just stood there. But – he moves!! Boy does he move. I really can’t think of anyone else who can draw you in by his movements, his sexiness, his hint of danger and wickedness, and that indescribable voice.
For me, maybe that’s the crux. I so ardently admire anyone who is at the top of his game, who is brilliant, who is supremely talented, and Adam is all this. And he also happens to be, from all accounts, just very nice, considerate, helpful, and kind. So I am hopelessly devoted to Adam.
I do laugh, however, at all the statements on blogs and twitter and facebook reacting to the fact that he’s gay. No one seems to mind that much – but so many of the girls say, “Oh well, I like him anyone, but too bad there’s no chance for me.” That cracks me up. As if there were ever a chance for any of them! Or any of us old enought to be his grandmother!
And there’s one other facet to this. It’s so much fun to have fun! And to think about Adam rather than Iraq or Pakistan or world hunger. It’s a release.
So – the concert. Everytime a picture of Adam showed on screen, or in a Ford commercial, while we were waiting for the concert to start, the arena went wild. It was pretty clear who people were there to see.
Allison Iraheta
Everyone was good to watch – not thrilling, maybe, but entertaining enough while we waited. The crowd reacted well but not with terrific enthusiasm until Matt Giraud rocked us all out and left us wondering, where did he go during Idol? Was it judge intimidation or the song choices? Because THIS Matt was worth seeing all on his own.
Then after intermission, Allison came out and took over the stage. She owned that stage. Her energy was so dominating and infectious and her voice was so commanding that there was no doubt that we were looking at a rock star to be. Next was Danny and he was ok. He did a Latin number that was really fun and cool, but then he got into a combination of motivational speech/preacher speech and left I think at least half the crowd puzzled. But it didn’t matter becasue excitement was building for…
ADAM who exploded onto that stage singing Whole Lotta Love. Could hardly get a photo there were so many bright lights exploding all over the stage. From second one, he was not a rock star, he was a Rock God. WHY had no one discovered this guy before?
Mad World or Starlight
Next he sang Starlight by Muse. I’m pretty sure this is the Starlight picture. It was amazing. Just soaring and indescribable. After that Allison came back for Slow Ride - those two rock together. They are magic together. And clearly admire each other.
Life on Mars
Adam did Mad World and the audience actually sang along. That was so cool! How can he keep singing that song over and over and over and make it fresh each time? And then a David Bowie medley starting with Life on Mars.
He was wearing an incredible leather black/blue spiky jacket with tails, but during the next number he took off the jacket. You know the trite old expression “The crowd went wild?” Well, the crowd went wild.
Shirt off
If you squint and look close enough you can see bare shoulders. So hard to get photos from where I was. I swear, if I do this again, I’m taking a step-stool.
Kris came after Adam of course – Kris was the winner. And his set was great. People sat down but did fully appreciate him – the ones who didn’t leave after Adam. I liked him better than I ever had on the show. I wonder if he has moments when he feels a little left out – the press wants to interview Adam, the people scream for Adam, it’s Adam Adam Adam. Kris is a gentle person, though, and I would guess he is genuinely happy for Adam and doesn’t mind the excess of Glambertmania.
Which reminds me that this Glambert got black nail polish for the show! No eyeliner though.
So the finale. And it was done. And we were trending toward tired.
Getting ready for the 2-hour ride home. I gotta tell you, Friday was wasted. Home at 1, bed at 2, can hardly do that anymore. You feel a little bit different in the sixth decade of life. But it was so fun and my guess is, we’ll do it again if the next Idols are good. There will never be another Adam, that’s for sure.
So this Glambert is signing off for now, still entranced by all things Adam.
