Yes, I'll take a bow. Way back when Adam Lambert made his early appearances as a contestant on "American Idol," I announced on the record that he was an ideal fit for the band Queen.

It'd be a tough gig - how does anyone replace Freddie Mercury?

On the other hand, Queensters Brian May and Roger Taylor had already tried - with dubious success - with ex-Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers. By comparison, Lambert's range and persona are much closer to the original. Big Fred is lamentably gone, but Lambert's going to be as close as we'll ever get.

Queen and Lambert arrive Saturday for a performance in the Mohegan Sun Arena. Expect an over the (big) top stage show and effects, an homage to Mercury, and even a reasonably comprehensive set list considering that, during their years as the biggest act in the world, Queen all but forgot material from their immortal first three albums.

Still, fans of the populist stuff far outnumber us old-timers, and your ears will happily ring with "Another One Bites The Dust," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and, of course, "Bohemian Rhapsody."

- RICK KOSTER

Queen with Adam Lambert, 8 p.m. Saturday, Mohegan Sun Arena; $79.50, $99.50; 1-888-664-3426.