Queen, Adam Lambert open Oscars with powerful performances

The popular rock band Queen with singer Adam Lambert opened the 91st Academy Awards with a powerful version of the group's 1977 double-sided single 'We Will Rock You' and 'We Are the Champions'.

The performance opened with drummer Roger Taylor playing the iconic drumbeat of the hit 'We Will Rock You' as Lambert roared the song's lyrics, which were originally sung by the Freddie Mercury, who died due to AIDS in 1992, reported Variety.

The group then started performing 'We Are the Champions', moving quickly to the song's chorus as celebrities in the audience from Tom Cruise to Viola Davis to Jennifer Lopez could be seen singing along.

Actor Rami Malek, who portrays Mercury in the Queen biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was seen beaming with joy in the crowd while the group was performing.

'Bohemian Rhapsody' is nominated for five Oscars this year, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Malek.

Towards the end of the song, Lambert and guitarist Brian May walked towards the front of the stage as the image of Mercury appeared on the screen behind them and fireworks cascaded from the ceiling.

Lambert's vocals are not featured in 'Bohemian Rhapsody', the vocals are either Mercury's or Marc Martel, who has had a good run fronting Queen in the years since the trio first appeared together when Lambert was a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2009.

The band began working together more seriously in 2011. The group launched a tour the following year and have done several tours, including a Las Vegas residency, since then.