Adam Lambert's Imminent Success Is a Lock

Despite his runner-up status, Adam Lambert is stealing the show on the season 8 American Idols Live! Tour.

Mercury News notes that the first contestant to woo the crowd when the contestants hit Oakland for their fifth show of the tour was 17-year-old Allison Iraheta, who finished third on the hit show. The young rocker picked pitch-perfect tunes to go with her raspy voice reminiscent of Pat Benatar, such as "So What," by Pink, and Heart's "Barracuda."

However, PressDemocrat.com reports that the crowd favorite was glam-rocker and one-time Broadway baby Adam Lambert. Lambert paid homage to both sides of his inspiration, says Mercury News , by performing everything from Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" to "Starlight," by Muse, and Tears for Fears' "Mad World," as well as a David Bowie medley. The producers of the concert even hedged their bets with a Lambert/Iraheta duet of Foghat's "Slow Ride."

On the other hand, a href= http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12819876?nclick_check=1 >Mercury News reports that this year's reigning Idol, Kris Allen, fell short of the bar set for him by Lambert. Allen performed his trademark "folksy" versions of such hits as the Beatles' "Hey Jude" and Kanye West's "Heartless," which he performed to the crowd and judges' delight towards the end of season 8, with only mediocre success in Oakland.

Lambert is releasing two albums in quick succession this year, Reuters reports. The expected 19/RCA Records debut is set to drop this fall, while "On with the Show," an album filled with pre-"Idol" tracks recorded by the vocal powerhouse, is set to hit stores this summer.

Winner Kris Allen's own album is also due for release this fall. Allen told Reuters that his sound will be reminiscent of the likes of John Mayer and Jason Mraz.

The Idols rolled into San Jose, Calif. tonight for their next show on the 50 city tour.