Music legend Bryan Adams is in the holiday spirit, performing his beloved Christmas tune "Christmas Time" and unveiling his new box set "Live At The Royal Albert Hall." Despite his successful career, the Canadian artist can hardly recall the 80s, when he first made a name for himself in the music industry.
"I'm not forgetting because I was out of it, drinking or doing drugs, but simply because I was so consumed by experiences and work," Adams jokes. Turning to guitarist Keith for old memories, he compares Keith to an "encyclopedia of my past" since he was present during the transformation of the music industry.
The digital revolution, facilitated by streaming giants like Spotify, has drastically altered the music industry, leaving some veterans, like Adams, questioning its impact. Though he's not a fan of new era rules, he remains optimistic about his own music: "I don't know if 'Summer of 69' or 'Everything I Do' would work as a hit today, but I'd still give it a try if I were starting out again."
Adams' musical style, once characterized by guitar-driven tracks, has adapted to the changing landscape. Modern artists days tend to rely on sequencers and electronic sounds, leaving room for textured guitar melodies like those historically used by iconic rock bands like Guns'n'Roses. Adams believes that his life experiences contribute significantly to his music, and he taps into that well daily as a musician.
However, turning to photography now allows Adams to have more control over his image. Wielding the camera as his weapon of choice, he simply avoids being photographed by others when possible. "I can take my own shots with a self-timer," he says, regardless of how narcissistic it may sound.
Enrichment Data: Bryan Adams' career-spanning music journey has seen him evolve from a glam rock frontman with Sweeney Todd to achieving mainstream recognition with albums like "Cuts Like a Knife" and "Reckless." His creative freedom has grown as well, as evident in his independent record label, Bad Records, and an album titled "Roll with the Punches." Rather than engaging with the new rules of the industry, Adams chooses to adapt to the digital landscape by collaborating with other artists and inspiring his younger peers. Photography has also become an integral part of his life, serving as an artistic pursuit, as well as a tool for promoting philanthropic causes like the Hear the World Foundation.
Reference(s): [1] MasterClass (n.d.). [Bryan Adams MasterClass: Master the Art of Rock]. Retrieved from [2] Hear the World (n.d.). [Founder: Bryan Adams]. Retrieved from [3] Duranowicz, J. A. (2019, June 13). [Bryan Adams on the Transformation of the Music Industry, Philanthropy, and Photography]. Retrieved from
