An introduction for Bryan Adams is the very definition of redundancy, for there are few who cannot identify the distinct grain of his all-too-familiar voice. His music is often a constant companion of adolescence, and a definite ingredient in nostalgia-driven mixtapes, reunion bands and all things related to memory lanes. However, the prolific hit maker is entirely averse to ideas of retirement and intends to keep his mind bristling with musicianship, touring and general immersion in all things that bring joy.
As one of the world ' s most recognizable musicians, Adams has long become good at toeing the line between gaining fame and giving back love. Though listing his musical accomplishments would take up a substantially thick scroll, a couple of them seem too significant to deserve silence. His global breakthrough Reckless was birthed when he was 25. In 1991, he began the Waking Up the World tour which brought him to parts of the world that Western artists were still yet to visit. India was among these parts. In 2006, he co-wrote " Never Gonna Break My Faith " which was sung by the likes of Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige In 2011, he became the first international artist to play in Nepal. He has been playing sold-out shows and walking up to cheering crowds for as long as anyone can remember.
Adams is equally defined by his focus on humanitarian efforts. The Bryan Adams Foundation aspires to do all it can to facilitate education for children across the world. Adams is a regular name in concerts and activities undertaken to provide aid across the world. He has helped raised money for underprivileged kids in Pakistan, for Palestinian refugee children, and for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami( among many, many others). He has also successfully campaigned for the creation of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
With The Score Magazine, he took the time to let us glimpse into his mind, and answers some questions about how he sees himself, how he loves what he does and what keeps him going at the speed of light.
Have you ever been tired of performing a certain song? Never
Of all your collaborators, was there anyone who changed your fundamental outlook to music?
I have to give credit to Jim Vallance for that, he was the one that initially inspired me to write better songs.
Do you think there is any medium that can offer you the same creative freedom as music?
Music is a powerful thing, and as I look back on my life, music is symbolically intertwined like a calendar. I can remember where I was from a song, or an album.
How much fun do you still manage to have on stage?
It’ s always different, no matter how many shows we have done, each night is unique, and the best fun comes from the crowd interactions.
How often are you surprised by your audience? I’ m always humbled by the reaction we get.
How does one last as long in the business as you have?
I get asked this all the time, and I can only answer it by saying that I take care of myself. I’ ve got a great team, and we try to have a laugh whenever we can.
Have you ever thought of doing something else?
I’ ve always loved creating things and I get a bit anxious if I’ m not busy making something from nothing. It’ s the process I love. Creating a team, making magic happen.
Is there a single idea that drives you to keep creating music and taking it to the World?
I still love what I do more than anything. I’ m really grateful and privileged I can still go out there and play and sing, and I can kind of feel like we are better than ever.
What is the best compliment you have ever received?
I got a message from someone saying thanks for the music because she’ s got depression and it’ s helped her. This is the best message any musician could ever get. Even in my own lifetime, I’ ve tackled sadness with music.
What principles would you never compromise?
I’ ve never got to the point where I’ ve taken for granted the fact that music puts a roof over my head.
What do you think was the best decade in music?
The‘ 60s. There was so much great music and it was so innovative— there was the Beatles, the Stones, Woodstock, and Zeppelin— I can go on and on. The‘ 70s were amazing, too. I actually thought maybe the‘ 70s might have been the greatest, but it was only because I was sort of just waking up in the‘ 70s to what music was for me.
What are the memories you most associate with your early days as an artist?
The fridge was empty at home, I had to go to work. It was strange but fun to be working the bars and clubs from 15, and I worked for years without a pay cheque, totally ripped off. But once I was able to pay my rent, I was even more grateful for the times I’ d had struggling. Back in 1977, my father and mother had both put $ 1,200 away for my university education, but they didn’ t count on me dropping out at 15. So I asked my mom, I said,‘ Listen I’ ve seen this piano in the window, do you think we can put that $ 1000 toward that piano’ She agreed.
My dad wasn’ t really around and didn’ t have much to say, but when he did finally catch up, I think he was quite curious about what I was going to do for a real job.
What is a fact about you that you think your fans would be surprised by?
I learnt pretty early on that I shouldn’ t be driving I have no capacity to drive long distances, as I fall asleep.
Who are you listening to these days? Drake, Chris Martin
What do you think about the shift of music onto the digital realm? Do you ever get nostalgic for the LPs, CDs and DVDs?
For sure the companies that control music are doing fine, I’ m pretty sure the artists and songwriters aren’ t getting the best deals. This is predominately because songwriters and artists don’ t get together to try and change things, and most of them have given their control to other people.
The Score Magazine highonscore. com
13