Childhood & Early Life
Bryan Adams was born on 5 November, 1959, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, to Capt. Conrad J. Adams and Elizabeth Jane (née Watson). He traveled to Portugal, Vienna, and Israel during his early childhood and youth with his parents. He has a brother named Bruce.
When he was in his early teens, he worked as a dish washer and saved his earnings to buy a guitar. He was involved in music and even played for different bands during his teenage years. He even dropped out of school in order to pursue a career in music.
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Career
He joined the band ‘Sweeney Todd’ as a substitute for their lead singer. In 1977, the band came up with an album titled ‘If Wishes Were Horses.’ He performed many songs with this band for the next one year.
He was then employed by the ‘Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’ (CBC) where he got acquainted with various artists. In 1978, he was introduced to Canadian musician Jim Vallance; Jim had decided to become a musician and songwriter and hence left his previous band.
The same year, he earned a contract with the record company ‘A&M,’ and this marked the beginning of Bryan’s professional career in music. He collaborated with Jim Vallance in song-writing. Some songs written and recorded during this period were ‘I’m Ready,’ ‘Remember,’ ‘Let Me Take You Dancing,’ and ‘Straight from The Heart.’
His album ‘Bryan Adams’ was launched in 1980, and the songs of the album were written and co-produced by Jim and Bryan. The album that followed was ‘You Want It You Got It.’ During the same time, he also collaborated with other bands in writing songs, such as ‘Don’t Let Him Know,’ No Way to Treat a Lady,’ Teacher Teacher,’ and ‘Edge Of A Dream.’
His breakthrough album ‘Cuts Like a Knife’ was released in 1983. Its song ‘Straight from the Heart’ was among the top 10 songs at the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ chart. The album was placed at number eight on ‘Billboard 200’ album list, and was also certified 3x platinum in Canada.
His fourth studio album ‘Reckless’ hit the music stores in 1984, and became an instant success. It featured hit songs like ‘Summer of 69,’ ‘Heaven,’ ‘Run to You,’ ‘One Night Love Affair,’ ‘Somebody,’ and ‘It’s Only Love.’ The album topped the ‘Billboard 200’ album chart and the song ‘Heaven’ topped the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ chart. He then produced a live album named ‘Live! Live! Live!’
His next album ‘Into the Fire’ was released in 1987, and it comprised of songs, such as ‘Hearts on Fire’ and ‘Heat of the Night.’ He then worked as a backup singer for the band ‘Mötley Crüe.’ He also lent his voice for the television show ‘The Real Story of the Three Little Kittens.’
In 1991, his album ‘Waking Up the Neighbours’ was produced, and this album too became a global hit. It was placed sixth on ‘Billboard 200’ album list. The most popular song of the album ‘(Everything I Do) I Do It for You’ topped the charts in many countries, including the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ chart. This song retained the number one position in the ‘UK Singles Chart’ for 16 consecutive weeks.
During 1992-99, he produced two albums named ‘18 til I Die’ and ‘On a Day Like Today.’ His live albums during this period include ‘Live in Europe – Keep On Running’ and ‘MTV Unplugged.’ The compilation albums, which he worked on during this period, include ‘So Far So Good’ and ‘The Best of Me.’
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During the 2000-2010 decade, this exceptional artist worked on studio albums, such as ‘Room Service’ and ’11.’ Live albums of this decade include ‘Live at the Budokan,’ ‘Live in Lisbon,’ and ‘Bare Bones.’
During the same period, this talented singer also created some compilation albums, such as ‘Anthology’ and ‘Icon.’ His soundtrack albums of this decade include ‘Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron’ and ‘Colour Me Kubrick.’
During 2001 and 2015, his studio albums ‘Tracks of My Years’ and ‘Get Up’ hit the music stores. He also worked on the live album ‘Live At Sydney Opera House,’ and produced the soundtrack album ‘Jock of the Bushveld or Jock the Hero Dog.’
He released a compilation album titled ‘Ultimate’ in 2017. Two years later, he released his 14th studio album ‘Shine a Light’ which received gold certification in Canada. The same year, his extended play ‘Christmas’ was also released
This talented artist has embarked on many concert tours, such as ‘You Want It You Got It Tour,’ ‘Reckless Tour,’ ‘Cuts Like a Knife Tour,’ ‘Into The Fire Tour,’ ‘Waking Up the World Tour,’ ‘So Far So Good Tour,’ ‘18 Til I Die Tour,’ ‘Unplugged Tour,’ ‘The Best of Me Tour,’ ‘Room Service Tour,’ ‘Here I Am Tour,’ and ‘The Bare Bones Tour.’
To celebrate the 30th anniversary edition of his album ‘Reckless,’ he went on a tour called ‘Bryan Adams: Reckless 30th Anniversary Tour.’ The resplendent singer visited various places and performed live in concerts.
Awards & Achievements
In 1983, he won the ‘Juno Award’ for ‘Male Vocalist of the Year.’ The following year, he won several ‘Juno Awards’ for ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Male Vocalist of the Year,’ ‘Composer of the Year,’ and ‘Producer of the Year.’
‘Juno Award’ for ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ in 1985 was won by Bryan Adams. The same year, he shared the ‘Juno Award’ for ‘Composer of the Year’ with Jim Vallance.
In 1986, he was awarded the ‘MTV Video Music Award’ for ‘Best Stage Performance Video’ for ‘It’s Only Love.’ He also won the ‘Juno Award’ for ‘Male Vocalist of the Year.’
In 1987, he received the ‘Juno Award’ for ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ and ‘Canadian Entertainer of the Year.’
In 1992, he received a ‘Grammy Award’ in the ‘Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television’ category. The same year, he won the ‘Juno Award’ for ‘International Achievement.’
The following year, he also won ‘Juno Awards’ under the ‘Canadian Entertainer of the Year’ and ‘Producer of the Year’ categories.
He was inducted into the ‘Canada's Walk of Fame’ in the year 1998. Around eight years later, he was inducted into the ‘Canadian Music Hall of Fame.’
In 1993, he also won the ‘Juno Award’ for ‘Best Selling Album (Foreign or Domestic)’ for his album ‘Waking Up the Neighbours.’
He received the ‘Juno Award’ for ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ in the year 1997.
In 1999, he was awarded the ‘Juno Award’ in the ‘Best Songwriter’ category. The following year, he won the award under the ‘Best Male Artist’ category.
In 2010, he was awarded the ‘Allan Waters Humanitarian Award’ for his contribution to charitable causes. The same year, he was honored with the ‘Governor General's Performing Arts Award,’ thanks to his involvement in the world of arts for many years. The following year, he was inducted into the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’
Personal Life & Legacy
Bryan Adams is in a relationship with Alicia Grimaldi and the couple is blessed with two daughters, namely Mirabella Bunny Adams and Lula Rosylea.
He is a professional photographer and has done many photoshoots for renowned magazines, such as ‘Vogue,’ ‘Esquire,’ ‘Harper’s Bazaar,’ and ‘Interview.’ He has also worked in ad-campaigns for brands like ‘Sand,’ ‘Guess Jeans,’ ‘Montblanc,’ ‘Gaastra,’ ‘Zeiss,’ ‘John Richmond,’ and ‘OPEL’ cars.
He also published a photographic book titled ‘Exposed’ in 2012. The following year, he released another photographic book called ‘Wounded – The Legacy of War.’ He has also released other photographic books titled ‘Untitled’ (2015), ‘Canadians’ (2017), and ‘Homeless’ (2019).
