Idol Tracker: The tour comes to the Staples Center

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A few very long months ago, these nine singers shared hotel rooms on the other side of downtown with a couple hundred other aspiring superstars summoned for the semifinal round of ‘American Idol’ auditions known as Hollywood Week. Half a year later, the 10 who emerged from those masses touched down momentarily in the filled-to-the-rafters Staples Center to entertain an ecstatic audience that greeted the returning champions like gods falling to Earth as the ‘Idols Live’ tour came home to Los Angeles.

The most frequent criticism a professional ‘Idol’ watcher hears of the show is the ‘this is not real stardom’ saw, that these singers did not rise organically through the grassroots along our mythical (and, largely, no longer existent) path for superstars, playing tiny bars to a handful of drunks in Butte, Mont., rising to a capacity-40 nightclub in Boise until suddenly -- and untainted by the touch of the professional music industry -- they force their way onto a radio station and instantaneously charm the millions. By contrast, the grudge goes, ‘American Idol’ stars are ‘invented’ TV show confections who have not paid their dues, and their rise is forever tainted by their corporate overlords and sponsors.

Seen through that prism, Monday night at Staples would no doubt have taken on a bit of a Disneyland glow -- a stadium full of people willing themselves to believe that these are actual stars and this is an actual rock concert, mistaking fame for talent, etc. etc. etc.

Unabashed ‘American Idol’ apologist though I am, I can only say that if this was mass delusion, it was a thoroughly satisfying one that left the crowd grinning like Cheshire cats from a concert whose sheer fun topped that of any musical event I’ve been to lately. Wherever they came from -- from the votes of the American people or from the executive suites of Rupert Murdoch -- these 10 singers singing three songs each (and four for David Archuleta, five for David Cook) proved that each of them had the showmanship to, in their brief concert time, hold a giant arena in their thrall.

Having seen the first two concerts on the tour, which were epic in their way, the Staples show felt like the night when the Idols became entirely comfortable in their place on the massive stage. Five shows into the tour, the nerves had been worked out and they each -- singing now with no threat of nasty comments from Simon Cowell or a visit from Angel of Death Seacrest -- were at last giving themselves over completely to what I know from my conversations with them is the great obsession of each of their lives -- creating music.

It should also be said in this niche-ified age that it is hard to think of another concert that pleases such a broad age range of the American populace. Eight-year-olds were there to screech their lungs out for David Archuleta, while their grandmothers nodded approvingly and their parents thrilled to the powerful rock renditions of Michael Johns and Carly Smithson. Teenagers thrilled to champion David Cook’s hard-rock numbers. Tie-dyed hippies prowled the floor awaiting Jason Castro. Kristy Lee Cook spoke for the urban cowboys in the crowd. A tribe of pop princesses with low-hanging bangs in imitation of Ramiele Mulabay were on the loose. Chikeze and Syesha Mercado’s uplifted the proceedings with uplifting R&B numbers. Brooke White brought quirky indie pop to the people. And each managed to make his or her genre that least street-cred worthy of words, ‘accessible,’ to all the other audiences in the house.

Throughout the season, as they were forced week after week to jump through thematic hoops, the question was constantly posed to each: What sort of singer would you be? At the concert, we at last saw their best shot at answering that question. Here, then, a brief rundown of the acts, as well as a final tribute to each as the tour moves on and they head out across America and then, ultimately, on to their post-’Idol’ careers.

- Chikeze: He had the unenviable task of opening the show, but the singer whose elimination now seems so long ago brought the crowd to a very quick crescendo with his version of ‘So High.’ The often-serious Inglewood native often seemed in a different universe from his brethren during the season, but he showed at Staples that, as a singer, he is a talent to be reckoned with.

- Ramiele Mulaby: The pixie-like singer made the clearest shot for a traditional pop career of any, featuring songs by Taylor Dayne, Rhianna and opening with a Jackson 5 number that featured the only synchronized dance steps of the night. Throughout the season, Ramiele brought a spirit of fun and youthful mischief to the show that made her unforgettable even after her early departure.

- Michael Johns: Ah, the injustice. The thought of what might have been, had the Duende From Down Under survived longer on the show. Seeing him on the Staples stage, however, it is clear from both his classic rock numbers (‘We Are the Champions’ and ‘Dream On’) and his soulful rendition of ‘It’s So Wrong,’ that this is a talent for grown-ups, almost too smoldering to allow kids to be exposed to (although the ones near me seemed to love him). Those characteristics should serve him well as he goes down the road, but they may not have worked in his favor with the ‘Idol’ voting base.

- Kristy Lee Cook: More than either of her blond ‘Idol’ country singer predecessors (Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler) Kristy Lee shows a capacity to perform rocking country music, pushing her down-home girlness to the farthest Shania reaches of tough-girlness that country will allow. Her tomboyish qualities should serve her well in the country world. She even used her first ‘Idol’ mad money to buy a bow and arrow.

- Carly Smithson. The greatest singer in Idol history. I challenged those who doubted this to look me in the eye and tell me it was not so after the Staples show. None would dare. An amazing story. An electrifying singer. Her opening number (Evanescence’s ‘Bring Me to Life’) was like a million-volt wake-up call to the crowd, transforming the vast arena like some sort of otherworldly call to prayer. Greatness awaits.

- Brooke White. With her deep voice and girlie blond manner, Brooke has a natural ability to take melodic quirky indie tunes (she sang Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ and Feist’s ‘1234’) and make them read to children, country fans and everyone else in between. One of the kindest, most pure-natured people ever to step on the ‘Idol’ stage, her connection with the joyful innocence of music will guide her way.

- Jason Castro. The Dreadhead mafia was out in force at Staples. It is very difficult not to smile when Jason is on stage. His goofy, good-natured attitude permeates his music, his wardrobe and his smile. He very pleasingly performed his crowd-winners from the season (‘Over the Rainbow’ and ‘Daydream’) as well as Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy.’ Jason’s good humor was one of the highlights of the season, as was his occasionally shocking ability to steal a night with one of his seemingly laid-back numbers.

- Syesha Mercado: The stealth candidate of the year who dodged bullet after bullet to end up finishing at the very highest ranks. At Staples she proved this was no fluke. After opening with a crowd-pleasing version of ‘Umbrella’ and then bringing it down with Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You,’ she absolutely brought down the house with a death-defying power spectacular, Whitney-worthy rendition of ‘Listen.’

- David Archuleta. The youngest ‘Idol’ star has become as much a phenomenon as a singer. The screeching starts with the first allusion to his name and continues through his four-song set. Nonetheless, the juxtaposition of this awkward boy who has such a hard time expressing himself through the nervous giggles when he speaks and the absolutely assured confident singer who steps up when the song start is fairly incredible. Watching how David grows and matures now that he is in the spotlight to stay will be a fascinating journey.

- David Cook. Without question, a rock star. A spectacular set that had the crowd on its feet throughout. More than Chris Daughtry ever could, David Cook has the ability to put a likable, charismatic face on hard rock while being entirely genuine and true to himself. His rise from the back benches to dominate the show and ultimately unseat the huge favorite to win will forever be one of the great ‘American Idol’ stories. And his ability to connect with young people in a very authentic way should provide a shot of fresh blood into the franchise. It’s a new era, with David Cook as champion and how that will change next season will be fascinating to watch. (Auditions start next week.)

After the show, the 10 greeted fans at a backstage party, posing for pictures and signing autographs long after the lights went up. Those with Southern California-based families said their goodbyes as they prepared to ride off tonight to San Jose and to America beyond (five cities down, 48 to go).

For one who has been watching them since the season’s beginning, it is hard to imagine that a new crop can take their place. Season 7 contestants, in their professionalism, diversity of talents, good natures and high spirits, seemed a special group. But the world has met them now and the next step will be to watch where they go with this moment. An ‘Idol’-watcher may wish it could last forever, but now, the real battle awaits.

These proud warriors of song have battled well and battled hard for these last few months and created something that for tens of millions was a special experience, the rare chance for families to come together in front of a television and the closest thing we have to a national epic. Before the final struggle begins to claim their permanent place in public life, one great victory lap of America is well deserved and well enjoyed.

-- Richard Rushfield

(Photos courtesy Richard Rushfield)