Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2011
Decades have passed since he bought his first real six-string from the ¥100 Lawsons, and Bryan Adams has since become one of an élite of truly global superstars—not to mention challenger for the title of “Most Famous Canadian.” He reaches the shores of Japan on February 15-16 for what promises to be a sell-out at the Nippon Budokan in Kudanshita.
Taking time out from his rigorous schedule to answer a few questions for Metropolis, Adams talked of his relationship with Japan. The country has meant a great deal to him over the years, “not just artistically, but personally,” the 52-year-old explained. “My father and I were reunited in Tokyo, Japan in 1981. Back then, he was living there with his wife Hiromi-san.” As many musicians noted in the post-quake outpouring of emotion, Adams always felt very warmly welcomed in Japan. “I feel very at ease there.”
In fact, a few days after 3/11, a much-reported tweet of his read: “Calling on the great musicians and singers in the world, we should do a concert for Japan.” Expanding on the tweet-out, he told us, “I’ve been coming to Japan for 30 years touring and I wanted to help out.” Efforts to organize a concert with Geddy Lee from Canadian supergroup Rush unfortunately fell through over scheduling difficulties.
However, this wish to help is nothing new. Adams has worked hard to use his fame and success for the good, and The Bryan Adams Foundation has implemented and supported projects for disadvantaged children, cancer sufferers and numerous other causes around the world. When asked if music could be doing more to help people, the Hollywood-Walk-of-Fame inductee is pensive. “Yes, is probably the answer, but I think everything could help people—not just music. I’m astounded at the generosity of some and appalled by the tightness of others, and it’s not going to get easier as we hit a population of seven billion punters.”
Coming back to the upcoming gig, the 15-time Grammy nominee describes his current tour as “my band and I rocking out.” Adams has a history of massive shows in Japan, since his seminal 1985 Reckless tour—in the wake of the album that contained such karaoke faves as “Run to You” and “Summer of ’69.” Thinking back on those early successes, Adams feels “quite proud to be returning to the place where we did some of our first big shows.”
At this gig the band will be playing plenty of songs from Waking Up The Neighbors (1991), to celebrate that album’s 21st anniversary. “It’s unreal, where did the time go?” But despite ten studio albums, several live ones, soundtracks, compilations and more, Adams & Co. are sure to play the songs everyone’s waiting for—“all the hits for sure,” he promises.
And what is the secret to Adams’ decades-long career as singer-songwriter, actor, producer, and award-winning photographer?
“I believe it starts with why you got into it in the first place,” he concludes. “It has to be all about being creative, otherwise you disappear. Without being creative, I’m nothing.”
Bryan Adams plays the Nippon Budokan on Feb 15-16 (listing).
