LOS ANGELES, CA – Sit back and remember your childhood days when you received the great gift of music. Either a record you purchased, or a great hand-me-down album from a relative or friend. A record that you listened which opened up the door to a whole realm of music you didn’t even know existed.
What is that? You’d think to yourself. Thinking it was the best music you had ever heard.
We’ve all been there. We’ve all had some type of mentor or an important figure in our life that introduced us to something great. My favorite aunt introduced me to the world of rock and roll when I was about 12 years old, giving me records by her favorite bands such as Led Zeppelin, Journey and Queen.
The day I turned 14, she introduced me to yet another pop star powerhouse, Bryan Adams.
It was love at first sight.
Through my teenage and young adult years, I relentlessly listened to Adams and collected all 10 of his studio CDs as well as live releases.
My admiration for him only solidified when I had the opportunity to see him live for the first time when he opened for Def Leppard on the “Double Shot of Rock Tour,” in 2005. He blew me away and won my admiration as a live performer. “He sounds better live than he does on cd!” I remember telling my British friends who went with me. I think my fandom increased a little more since that day.
So when I found out that Adams would be doing a solo show at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, I did not let the “sold-out” sign at the box office intimidate me. Determined, I scored myself a ticket just minutes outside the venue and had the opportunity to witness a different side of Adams in a setting he’s never done in the U.S. before: a solo acoustic performer.
When you think of Adam’s hits, like “Summer of 69” or “Back To You,” you can’t stop but star tapping your foot to the rhythm of the drums, nod your head to the strumming of the guitar, and sing along to the songs that bring back so many memories. Although this Canadian superstar stepped onstage alone with nothing but an acoustic guitar and a harmonica, he wowed each and every person in that place with his humbleness and true love for what he does.
Adams opened the set with “Tonight We Have the Stars,” the first single from his new album “11,” which he’s selling exclusively through Wall-Mart and Sam’s Club outlets, after abandoning his record deal in the U.S.
“Thank you very much for coming,” Adams told his fans “1981 was the last time I played here. I think it was all seated back then.”
Fans sang along and raised their hands in their air as Bryan played such gems as “This Time,” “Can’t Stop This Thing We’ve Started,” and “Cuts Like A Knife,” which had fans screaming the words to the top of their longs, like an anthem of their generation.
To the delight of the country music devotees present, Bonnie Raitt came out and played slide guitar on “Little Red Rooster,” and “Not Fade Away,” accompanied by fellow country star Keith Urban.
The most pleasant surprise of the show was his rendition of “Heaven,” which had people standing at their feet – yes, even the ones in the VIP area stood up for this one. Sure there have been many covers of this song in the past, including a horrific dance version, but obviously no one does it quite like him. It seriously makes the hair in the back of your neck stand right up.
The vibe was quite different, as one would imagine, from attending an arena show to an acoustic show, especially if the singer is known for his monster ballads and pop fuelled songs. It might be quite a change from having a band to back you up and then do it all alone in front of hundreds of people. But I guess one thing is right, if you have what it takes you can pull anything off. And Adams did it quite nicely.
Although I enjoyed listening to Adams in such a intimate atmosphere, I would have liked to see his band interacting with him in such a small atmosphere. I guess I wasn’t the only person thinking that, as Adams, acknowledging that his fans were fixated solely on him, comically sang “Here I Am Without A Band,” as he chuckled during his song “Here I Am” from Disney’s “Sprit: Stallion of the Cimarron.”
Years of great songwriting and playing packed shows gave him the ability to do it all. I couldn’t picture seeing a better musician to do an acoustic show than him, and I am happy that I was able to experience it.
The nostalgia kicks in when on my drive home, still singing the songs I had just heard, I wish my aunt would have been able to there with me. I would have loved to thank her for introducing me to a great star, and to let her know that she was right after all these years. Bryan Adams was, and still is, one of the coolest rock stars out there.
Photo by © WireImage
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