| Bryan Adams Goes Acoustic |
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| Written by David Delaney |
| Monday, 24 August 2009 12:35 |
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Bryan Adams continued his 4 year journey acoustic tour in Toronto with 3 shows at Massey Hall and Roy Thomspon Hall in August. Still a Canadian through and through this legendary writer and singer is keeping things simple and pure, all the while giving everything he has on stage in a 2 hour and 15 minute non-stop set of familiar hits dating back to 1983's breakout album, Cuts Like a Knife which opened the show. Adams guitar and music is suited to this acoustic format like cream is to coffee, so its no wonder that he seems to thoroughly enjoy every quality tune he belts out from the rather bare stage. In fact he reminds us during the show that "this is the band" pointing to his piano player. The artist is also a good business man when he can knock down a 1/4 million in revenue carrying around a guitar and a box of stage lights. But it all works in a humble Canadian fashion.  Adams was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, to English parents. From his grandmother he also inherited a Maltese ancestry.As Adams' father was a diplomat, he grew up traveling around the world with his parents.Subsequently, most of his youth was spent growing up in Europe and the Middle East, part of the time in Birre, Portugal, situated close to Lisbon; this led to learn the Portuguese language. In 1973, Adams' family returned to Canada and settled down in North Vancouver, British Columbia.In 1978, at the age of 18, Adams sent a few demo recordings to A&M Records in Toronto, and was signed to them not long afterward for the sum of one dollar. Some of the first demos written in 1978 have surfaced over the years, most notably "I'm Ready" (recorded for both the album Cuts Like a Knife and later his release for MTV Unplugged) and "Remember", which was recorded on his first album. Both songs were covered by other artists even before his first album was released. Also recorded during this time was a demo of the song, "Let Me Take You Dancing". Most of Adams' philanthropic activity is dedicated to his foundation "The Bryan Adams Foundation", which aims to advance education and learning opportunities for children and young people worldwide, believing that an education is the best gift that a child can be given. The Foundation’s area of support is broad and far-reaching, enabling grants to be given for projects supporting the elderly, victims of war and natural disasters, and those suffering from mental or physical illness. The foundation is completely funded by his photographic activities. Adams will be one of the four musicians who will be pictured on the second series of the Canadian Recording Artist Series to be issued by Canada Post stamps on July 2, 2009. The total estimated number of Bryan Adams stamps to be printed is one and one-half million. he was also a guest singer on American Idol in 2008 where he performed a medley of his hits with the male contestants. Bryan Adams continues the acoustic tour through the USA, UK and Europe this fall and winter. |
