Brian May, lead guitarist of the band Queen, has said touring with Adam Lambert is a great opportunity.

Freddie Mercury, the band's original frontman, died in 1991 of complications due to AIDS.

American Idol alum Lambert fronted for the band in a series of highly successful European shows in 2012 and again as part of last year's iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

Plans for the 19-date North American tour were announced last week. The tour kicks off June 19 at the United Center in Chicago and will conclude July 20 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Washington, D.C. Other stops included are New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Vancouver, Montreal and Las Vegas.

“It's such a treat for me to be able to get on stage, and pay my respects,” Lambert said, referring to Mercury. “And to pay tribute to one of my favorite singers ever. And to sing some of the greatest music ever written.”

“People are going to say to us, 'You know, is this really Queen without Freddie?” May said. “Well, I have no idea. I don't know what the answer to that question is. But people want to hear Queen music, and they want to hear it done great, and they want to have Roger [Taylor] and I play, and we love to play. So, having this opportunity is great.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit our video library for more videos.)