Adams’ family values
Multi-platinum music star Bryan Adams, 59, shines a light on his new album and UK tour. MARION McMULLEN finds out about how the Canadian came to end up working with Ed Sheeran and Jennifer Lopez
The title track of your new album Shine A Light was co-written with Britain’s Ed Sheeran. How did the song come about?
A BIT of magic really. I met Ed in Dublin as we both had shows there on the same weekend and we became friends and kept in touch.
Ed doesn’t have a phone, but he’s good on email, so I sent him an idea I had for a song called Shine A Light.
I sent him a chorus and asked if he was interested in collaborating on it.
I got a couple of verses back a few days later and, man, you should hear him sing it. Top man.
You’ve sold over 65 million records worldwide including hits like (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, Summer Of 69 and Run To You. What can you tell us about the new album? IF YOU liked my albums in the past, you’ll like this one too. It’s got some great rockers on it, and a lovely duet.
I’m thrilled to be releasing this new
12-track studio album, which has a good blend of rock, pop and R&B.
Jennifer Lopez features on the duet track That’s How Strong Our Love Is. How was the experience of working with her? WORKING with Jennifer was a dream. Our voices sound amazing together. I’d actually finished the song, and then thought it would be nice to have someone sing it with me, as it’s a beautiful sentiment.
So I wrote an email to Jennifer’s manager who got straight back to me with a yes.
She did a beautiful job. THAT’S always good. This tour, however, is basically playing many of the spots we missed last year. Hopefully we’ll be back again next year, I don’t want to let anybody down.
Some artists see touring as a hindrance. Do you?
AS the song goes, “Ain’t no use in complaining, when you got a job to do…” have had a career spanning more than four decades. What keeps you coming back to play the UK live circuit?
GREAT audiences. Even when we were playing our first shows in England back in the early 80s, they were always good.
I know photography is another big passion of yours. You released a book of your photos called Untitled in 2016, which featured abstract pieces rather than your normal portraitures. Are you planning to release another photography book in the near future?
I’VE just completed a book of portraits entitled Homeless based on people living and working on the streets supported by the Big Issue magazine.
It’s being released sometime this year by Steidl. TOURING and family take priority as things have to be booked so far in advance to work with schedules such as school holidays.
As far as everything else is concerned, I somehow manage to get it all done. It does mean a lot of travel.
You and co-composer Jim Vallance have adapted romantic comedy Pretty Woman for the stage and the musical has broken records on Broadway. How have you found the reaction to the show?
I’M really pleased it’s doing so well. We spent two years writing the songs and score for it. It was a monumental task.
The reaction has been very good, there are people that are going repeatedly to the show... including me.
Any plans to bring Pretty Woman The Musical to the UK? YES, the rumour is it’s coming to London’s West End in 2020. Yes, I’ll be seeing it too!
■ The Bryan Adams arena tour is underway now and includes concert dates in London, Sheffield, Nottingham, Liverpool. Cardiff and Bournemouth. New album Shine A Light is released on March
1. Go to bryanadams.com for details.