Photo: Getty
31 years ago today, the Gods in Glitter Heaven had a drunken orgy and immediately conceived and birthed an heir to the throne ... whom they dubbed Adam Lambert. Before he can take his rightful place as ruler, he must prove himself worthy by walking amidst the mortals and guiding them toward the path to salvation ... a path paved with studded bracelets, guyliner, and sheer fabulousness.
As we continue on this journey with him, let's stop to pay tribute to some of the reasons why he's made such an indelible impression. 31 Reasons, actually ... why we love birthday boy Adam Lambert
(In no particular order)
1. "Mad World"
2. He Caused Cover Boy Controversy
Adam appeared on the cover of Entertainment Weekly during his Season Eight run, becoming the first (and only) Idol contestant to achieve that recognition before the season's winner was announced.
3. He Gives Good Interview, Part One
As if anyone needed any more proof that Adam had made it, he sat down with the Queen herself.
4. He Gave Bill O'Reilly The Vapors
During the insanity of Season Eight of American Idol, old photos surfaced showing the not-officially-out Adam kissing another guy, which sent the Idol-verse into a tailspin. Always on the pop culture cutting-edge, Bill O'Reilly convened a panel to discuss whether America was ready for a same-sex snogging winner, but in order to not offend the delicate senses of his audience, he cropped the picture, which had the hilarious effect of making it more provocative (were they using ... tongues?).
5. He Officially Came Out In A Very Rock And Roll Way
6. "A Time For Miracles"
7.He made The American Music Awards watchable
Adam caused tongues to wag (and possibly gave Bill O'Reilly palpitations) during his American Music Awards performance, which was memorably and hilariously raunchy. He took the predictable aftermath in stride.
8. "For Your Entertainment"
9. He Gives Good Interview, Part Two
In this chat with Australian host Byron Cooke, Adam has to explain that Byron just isn't his type ... he likes guys a bit more delicate.
10. "Trespassing"
11. He Gives Back
12. He's Instructive
13. He Gives Good Interview, Part Three
Adam matches British host Jonathan Ross quip for quip.
14. "Whattaya Want From Me"
15. You Can Only Push Him So Far
(source)
16. He Can Poke Fun At Himself
17. He Took Us Behind The Music
18. "Cuckoo"
19. He's Judgmental ... When it's Appropriate
20. He's Been In The Top Ten Of The AfterElton Hot 100 For The Last Three Years.
21. Like All Great Rock Stars, He Causes International Incidents
22. He Made History When His Second Album TrespassingDebuted At Number One
23. "Never Close Our Eyes"
24. Trespassing was a fantastic sophomore album, with one expert describing it as "Manna From Glitter Heaven."
25. He Gives Good Interview, Part Four.
26. "If I Had You"
27. He Will Rock You, And Carry On The Spirit Of Rock's Greatest Frontman.
28. He Had The Courage To Give Us This Album Cover
29. "Better Than I Know Myself"
30. He Isn't Afraid To Experiment
31. "Outlaws Of Love"