Cover Story

The Liberation of
Adam Lambert

How the Idol star went from a shy drama geek to the flamboyant, cross-dressing club kid who almost won America's biggest popularity contest.
By Vanessa Grigoriadis

Video: Behind the Scenes at Adam Lambert's Cover Shoot
Video: Adam Lambert Reacts to His Cover: "OMFG!"
Photos: Adam Lambert's Rolling Stone Cover Shoot
Photos: American Idol's Glam-Rock Sex God
Photos: Family photos of Lambert before he hit American Idol.
In His Own Words: Adam Lambert on Sexuality, Kris Allen and Life After Idol
Essential Coverage: Adam Lambert in Rolling Stone

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

War on Drugs:
Is It Really Over?

Politicians all over the country are calling for reform. The White House is taking a softer line — but real change will be a long time coming. By Tim Dickinson

SPECIAL SECTION

Cable TV's Hot Summer

Forget network TV — cable is where it's at. From horny vampires to pill-popping nurses to pregnant weed dealers, our guide to summer's can't-miss shows.

The Man Behind 'Mad Men': An expanded Q&A with Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, who talks about the inspirations behind the new season and reveals the compelling scenes that didn't make the cut.

FEATURES

Secretary of Saving the Planet

Energy Secretary Steven Chu has billions at his disposal to finance a new green economy. He also has the coal industry trying to stop him. By Jeff Goodell

Conor Oberst's Mystical Awakening

The Bright Eyes leader and his new band seek inner peace — and find LSD-gobbling bikers, Aztec Pyramids and Leonard Cohen. By Chris Norris

Rock & Roll

The Beatles: Rock
Band Debuts

The latest edition of the game features remastered versions of Fab Four classics

On the Scene: Reports from the E3 expo as the newest, hottest blockbuster music video games are unveiled.

On the Road: Dave Matthews Band take Boston; Willie Nelson joins two-night Fenway blowout

Extra Innings: More exclusive photos from DMB's triumphant gigs at Fenway park: from their tour of Boston's historic ballpark to the soundcheck to highlights from their set to the post-show chill.

In the Studio: CCR legend John Fogerty gets rootsy on a set of country covers; Nickelback, Vince Gill help out on diverse Daughtry CD

Q&A: Mos Def on loving Bob Dylan and why Limp Bizkit is lame

Spotlight: The E Street Band's secret weapon: Max Weinberg's teenage son

Concert Biz: Scalping battle heats up; new laws proposed

Industry: Green Day go number one without Walmart

Profile: Against all odds, the Meat Puppets are back

Digital Biz: A user's guide to free, legal music

Obituaries: Koko Taylor, Wilco's Jay Bennett

Breaking: Dirty Projectors

What's Up With: Jeremih

RECORDS

Black Eyed Peas Bring
the 'Boom'

The foursome crank out their most irresistible club jams yet.

PLUS: Jonas Brothers, Rancid, Sunset Rubdown, Elvis Costello, Deer Tick, Elizabeth and the Catapult, Todd Snider, Dinosaur Jr., Major Lazer, the Mars Volta, Regina Spektor, R.E.M., Taking Back Sunday, Nanci Griffith, the Phenomenal Handclap Band, the Low Anthem, Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, and reissues of the Rolling Stones' Some Girls, Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You and Undercover.

FRICKE'S PICKS:
13th Floor Elevators

MOVIES

Subway Sizzler

Travolta and Denzel kick ass in The Taking of
Pelham 1 2 3.

Plus: Whatever Works, Moon, Tetro, Land of the Lost and Food, Inc.

The Travers Take: More movie news and reviews from our movie critic.

Travers Hits Twitter: Tap in for daily Twitter updates — juicy interview tidbits and knee-jerk reviews — from our film critic.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Dads Who Rock: A special Father's Day photo gallery of rock stars — from Slash and Snoop to Elvis Presley and Eddie Van Halen — with their families. Plus: the rocks-star kids who may one day follow in their father's footsteps.

Complete Coverage: Inside Bonnaroo 2009 Videos, photos and live reports all weekend as Bruce Springsteen, Phish and the Beasties play Tennessee's megafestival. Follow us on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news.

Jonas Brothers Video: Backstage with Nick, Joe and Kevin as they get ready to launch their headlining tour, with exclusive video. Plus: How the band plans to get closer than ever to fans this summer.

Video: Justin Long The "I'm a Mac" Guy visits the RS offices for the debut of "Off the Cuff with Peter Travers" — the first in a series where stars discuss anything but their current projects. Highlight: Long's impression of all four Beatles.

Live at RS: The Airborne Toxic Event The Los Feliz, California crew enters our offices to play an acoustic set, including the unreleased song, "A Letter to Georgia."

Adam Lambert photographed at Smashbox Studios, Culver City, California, May 23rd, 2009.
Photograph by Matthew Rolston
Styling by Annie Jagger, grooming by Torsten Witte, both for the Margaret Maldonado Agency. Prop styling by Bradley Garlock for Judy Casey Inc. Shirt by Michel Berandi. Jeans by Junker. Scarf by G-Star. Necklaces by Loree Rodkin. Wrist cuff by Bing Bang.