‘IT’S ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE IN INDIA’

Bryan Adams says he is really looking forward to performing in India next month

Starting October 9, Canadian singersongwriter Bryan Adams is set to bring The Ultimate Tour to India — in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru — rounding it off in Delhi on October 14. Fans are excited. Bryan, too, is pumped to be in India for the fifth time.

“It’s always an adventure [here]… so I keep returning… I’m sure we’ll return again,” he says, promising that “as long as people are interested in the music, I’ll create”. The 58-yearold, who has an album coming in 2019, also talks about being happy for Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra.

This is your fifth tour of India... what’s your cherished memory from previous ones and what are you looking forward to this time? On my first trip to India, there were no cars to collect us, so my guitarist Keith and I took a taxi from the airport. Along the way we had to stop because an elephant was sleeping in the middle of the road. That wouldn’t happen anywhere else, welcome to India. It’s always an adventure.

You always call a female fan on stage while performing the song When You’re Gone. Will you do something similar this time?

I stopped [doing that] as it became too risky with many people being inebriated.

Your latest album, Ultimate, compiles many of your old hits. How does it feel reliving those moments?

It’s one reason why I’m happy to make music; it contributes, on some level, to making someone happy somewhere – other than myself, of course.

You earlier said musicians can’t make money selling records, so how important are live shows? Live shows have always been important, even if it was an empty club with three people in it. You learn how to present yourself and your music.

What’s your next photography book on?

It’s called Homeless. It’s based on people living on the streets of London.

Do you have any favourite Indian artists, and musical instruments you want to explore?

I’m a great fan of AR Rahman. And instrument would be the sitar. I could probably make a noise with it. Late Pandit Ravi Shankar was a great inspiration for me.

You had done a photo shoot with Priyanka. She is planning to get married soon. Any wishes?

I’m delighted for her. She’s an extraordinary girl; Nick is very lucky. I wish them the best.

Being in the music industry for over 40 years, how do you react to the way it has changed?

I try to keep my focus on the music and the art of it. I don’t care about the internet, someone should unplug it.

How does one sustain one’s popularity and remain a superstar for so long?

There are artists that will last for a long time, and there are artists that are shooting stars and burn bright for a moment. I’m more like one of those space stations that float along; every now and then an astronaut pops out and says, ‘hi’.

I’m a great fan of AR Rahman. His music is fine. And my favourite Indian instrument would be the sitar. Late Pandit Ravi Shankar was a great inspiration for me. BRYAN ADAMS SINGER