‘I don’t eat my friends’

His music, as the title of one of his hit songs aptly puts it, cuts like a knife. Play Bryan Adams’ songs and you will know, rather “feel,” what that means — (Everything I Do) I Do it For You, Please Forgive Me, Summer of 69, Heaven, Straight From The Heart, All For Love, Run To You, I Finally Found Someone, Back To You and Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman, all of which, and many more, he will perform at his concert on Jan. 18, 2017, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It’s Adams’ first time in 23 years to stage a concert in Manila and a re-introduction is in order.

Adams, 57 (born Nov. 5, 1959, in Ontario, Canada), is singer, guitarist, photographer and activist. His album Cuts Like a Knife catapulted him to fame in 1983, followed the next year by Reckless from which carried some of the songs mentioned above. He has received awards and nominations including 20 Juno Awards, 56 Grammy nominations and a Best Song For a Motion Picture or Television in 1992. For writing songs for films, Adams has got five Golden Globe nominations and three Academy Awards nominations.

In 1998, Adams was honored by Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame; in 2006, he got into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame; and in 2011, he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Billboard Hot 100 50th Anniversary Charts ranked Adams No. 38 among the All-Time top artists.

Here are excerpts from Funfare’s exclusive e-mail interview with Adams:

Why are you doing a concert in Manila only now?

“It’s a long way to come when you travel with a road crew of 40 people.”

Outside of music you are known for your photographic work. What does it fulfill in you that music seemingly can’t?

“Making images is a big part of the music, whether it be videos or stills, so being able to create things that work with the CDs and live show is great fun.”

You moved around a lot as a kid. How did it influence your music?

“Any time you travel you get influenced, hearing different music and witnessing different cultures. It’s the best education you could have.”

How was it hearing Straight From The Heart on the radio for the first time 33 years ago?

“I can’t remember, but I always love hearing my songs on the radio.”

Could you tell us the back stories and inspiration of three of your hit songs, first Cuts Like a Knife?

“It’s the title track to the album, written by Jim Vallance and me for a laugh one day when I was living in Vancouver.”

…Everything I Do, I Do It For You (1991)…

“It was written by Mutt Lange, Michael Kamen and me for the film Prince of Thieves based around the theme for the film written by Kamen. Mutt and I wrote the melody and lyrics in less than an hour while we were sitting in a studio in North London.”

…and Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? (1995)?

“It was also written by Mutt, Michael and me for the film Don Juan De Marco while Mutt and I were in Jamaica. The guitar was played by the late Paco De Lucia who just happened to be in the hotel next door to my house there.”

Would you remember the first song that you ever sang and fell in love with?

“I don’t remember.”

What song made you realize that you wanted to be a singer-songwriter?

“I don’t remember the song but it was better than washing dishes and I was a great dishwasher.”

What was the song that you wrote the fastest and what song took you time to compose?

“I told you about one of the fastest. One of the longest was Do I Have to Say the Words.”

Could you tell us about your “Bryan Adams Foundation” and why you chose “the advance education and learning opportunities for children and young people” as beneficiary? Did you know that there are poor children in the Philippines who badly need “learning opportunities?”

“There are poor children everywhere, but helping someone get ahead is what the foundation is all about. My idea was if I end up helping one person from all of this, I’d be happy. I’m happy.”

Have you ever worked with a Filipino artist?

“Not yet.”

You became a vegan at age 29. Tell us the health benefits of being a vegan.

“I love animals, and they are my friends. I don’t eat my friends.”

How do you preserve your voice (no ice-cold drinks, no smoking, enough sleep, etc.)?

“No drinking, and rest when I can.”

How do you spend your time away from work? Any favorite pastime?

“With my family mostly.”

If you were to serenade a lady, which of your songs would it be?

“I’d invite her to see the whole show, get the full spectrum.”

After having composed so many songs, do you still have a “dream song” in mind…the song of your life?

“I’m writing a Broadway musical based on the film Pretty Woman. It’s quite different from anything I’ve done before.”

Which of your songs do you want to be remembered for, and why? 
“18 Til I Die.”

(Bryan Adams Get Up Live in Manila on Jan. 18, 2017 is produced by Wilbros. For tickets, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)

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