Biography


Bryan Guy Adams was born on November 5th, 1959, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Bryan spent most of his childhood travelling around Europe and the Middle East with his parents (who are British), Conrad and Jane, and his younger brother Bruce. So, Bryan lived in countries like Portugal, Austria, England and Israel before he settled in Vancouver at the age of 15.

Bryan was 10 years old when he was given his first guitar and 16 when he dropped out of school to form a band. Bryan didn't like school at all and all he wanted was to become a musician, which was against his father's wishes. Bryan, who was supposed to play guitar in the band, ended up as the singer as well, as they couldn't find anyone else. He played in bars at night even tough he wasn't old enough to go to bars. In 1976 Bryan joined a band called 'Sweeney Todd' and even recorded an album and in 1977 he met Jim Vallance, with whom he started writing songs for many artists. He signed his first recording contract with A&M Records at the age of 18 and in the following year his first single was released- 'Let Me Take You Dancing'. Bryan got a management deal with Bruce Allen (they never signed a contract, it was all decided with a handshake) and in 1980 his first album, 'Bryan Adams', came out. In 1981, his second album, titled 'You Want It, You Got It' was released and Bryan t! oured Canada and the USA as a supporting act.

'Cuts Like A Knife', his third album was released in 1983 and became his first hit album, going platinum in America. 'Straight From The Heart', the first single from the album, went to number 10 in the USA charts. Bryan received several awards, including the Juno Award for Top Male Vocalist. He toured Japan and Europe for the first time.

Bryan only became a big star in 1984 when the next album,'Reckless', was released. It includes some of Bryan's most popular songs: 'Summer Of '69', Run To You', 'Heaven' (his first number one single in the USA) and 'It's Only Love' (duet with Tina Turner). He received Juno Awards for Best Male Vocalist, Album and Producer of the Year (for 'Cuts Like A Knife') and Composer. 'Run to You' became his first UK hit. He spent the next 2 years touring all over the world, including an European tour with Tina Turner. In 1985 Bryan had his most dreadful experience when he went parachuting for the first (and only) time. The parachute wrapped around his legs but fortunately the instructor was able to pull the emergency parachute in time.

In 1987 'Into The Fire' was released. It was recorded in his own home and it was quite different from its predecessors. The songs were no longer only about love or loneliness but also about people who died in the war and Indians. It reached number 7 in the USA and number 10 in the UK. Bryan toured all over the world again.

The 'Into The Fire' tour ended in the Summer of 1988 and writing and recording of the new album started. Bryan's songwriting partnership with Jim Vallance ended and Bryan started writing songs with producer/composer Robert John Mutt Lange. In 1990 he performed at 'The Wall' concert in Berlin and was awarded 'Artist Of The Decade' in Canada.

1991 was a very important year for Bryan. It announced Bryan's comeback with a new studio album and his most successful single ever. When he was asked to write a song for the movie 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves', he could not imagine what was going to happen. The song, called '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You', went to number 1 in 19 countries and stayed at number one in the British charts for a record-breaking 16 weeks. In September the new album, 'Waking Up The Neighbours', came out and entered the British charts at number 1. Appearances in several TV shows and a very successful World tour started in Europe followed. Bryan was nominated for 6 Grammy Awards, 7 Juno Awards and one Oscar. He spent most of 1992 and beginning of 1993 touring.

A greatest hits album titled 'So Far So Good' was released in November 1993. A new song, 'Please Forgive Me', was included in the album, and climbed the charts all over the world. Meanwhile, Bryan wrote another song for a movie- 'All For Love'. Rod Stewart and Sting joined him in this song, which reached number one in the USA charts. Another World Tour started and Bryan played for the first time in places like Vietnam and India. A live album, 'Live!Live!Live!', recorded in 1988, was released in the Summer. In September he sang with Pavarotti for a TV special and in November he received an award for Best Male Artist at the MTV European Music Awards.

Bryan spent most of 1995 writing songs for the new album but he still had time to write and record 'Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?' for the movie 'Don Juan De Marco'. Another hit single and another Oscar nomination.

A new album, '18 īTil I Die', was released in 1996. He started another European tour and in the end of the year recorded 'I Finally Found Someone' with Barbra Streisand for her movie 'The Mirror Has Two Faces'. Another World Tour in 1997 and another Oscar nomination. He started working on a new album when the tour was over.

Currently, Bryan is recording the new album in Jamaica and it will be out before Christmas. Bryan lives in London, with his girlfriend Cecilie, and has no pets.

Back to main page


This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page