Bryan Adams on new tour with Pat Benatar, 'the power' of Tina Turner and his rescue dog
Bryan Adams on new tour with Pat Benatar, 'the power' of Tina Turner and his rescue dog
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Bryan Adams has been rolling with the punches for 45 years, when his self-titled debut introduced his knack for arena-primed rock songs.
This summer, he'll release 'Roll with the Punches,' his 17th studio album and first since 2022's wryly titled, 'So Happy it Hurts.'
That the Canadian hitmaker behind such sonic wallpaper as 'Run to You,' 'Heaven,' 'Summer of '69,' 'Can't Stop This Thing We Started' and '(Everything I Do) I Do it For You' – all Top 40 smashes – is still crafting fist pumpers laced with melody isn't surprising.
But that he sounds as appealingly raspy at 65 as he did as a twentysomething warrants notice.
'You make it sound like you discovered an Egyptian tomb,' Adams says with a laugh when asked how he preserves his distinctive voice.
He's calling from an airport lounge on his way to Iceland, where he and his trio of bandmates played this week before hopscotching to Europe for shows through August.
On Sept. 11 – shortly after 'Roll with the Punches' is due – Adams will embark on a 40-date North American tour with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo joining him for the U.S. concerts and The Sheepdogs and Amanda Marshall pulling opening duties for shows in his native Canada.
The tour kicks off in Kamloops, British Columbia, and will sprint through Canada until launching in the U.S. Oct. 25 in Uncasville, Connecticut. The American leg includes Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Tampa, Cleveland and Phoenix and will wrap Nov. 21 in Seattle.
A Citi card presale runs from 10 a.m. local time April 29 through 9 a.m. local time May 2 via citientertainment.com. The general on sale begins at 10 a.m. local time May 2 at bryanadams.com.
During his chat with USA TODAY, Adams expounded on hitting the road with Benatar and Giraldo, working with longtime collaborator Mutt Lange on new material (the title track from 'Roll with the Punches' and 'Make Up Your Mind' are out now) and rediscovering a recording with his 'It's Only Love' partner, the late Tina Turner.
More: AC/DC storms back on Power Up tour, the band's first US trek in nearly a decade
Question: So how do you keep that signature tone to your voice?
Answer: I think regular touring, which is what I do, helps … it's like a muscle, you have to keep it in training. What I will do is a rehearsal with the band (Keith Scott on guitar, Pat Steward on drums, Gary Breit on keyboards and Adams on guitar and bass) to make sure we all know what we're doing, or at least some idea of what we're doing, and then just go for it.
Given the name of the new album and tour, are you good about rolling with the punches?
I certainly am. It feels like the right title for the right tour at the right time. I've recently become an independent artist and when I say that, I'm self-managed and have my own label, Bad Records. Extracting myself form the past and moving into the future has been enormously liberating and inspiring. I kind of feel like ('Rolling …') is also a song for anyone who has felt they've been knocked down with the idea of getting back up again and dusting yourself off. That's the theme of the song and it's part of my newfound freedom.
You've had a nice history with Mutt Lange (who produced Adams' 'Waking up the Neighbours' and '18 Til I Die' albums, as well as co-writing several songs). What is it about working with him that appeals to you?
Mutt and I are just writing now, he's not producing me, but when you work with Mutt you get such good ideas if you're open to it. I like writing with Mutt and there was a time we didn't work together when he was working with Shania. But I feel the same as I do with Keith (Scott), which is like he's my brother.
How did Pat and Neil get tapped as your U.S. openers?
I'm really excited to have them open for us, it's really cool. We were looking for the right opening act. We had Joan (Jett) out with us last time and I wanted to have a good rock opening for us and Pat fits the bill.
Do you know each other well?
I've never Pat in my life! I was probably busy touring in the '80s and she was touring, too.
When you're on the road, are there certain things you need to have with you? And how do you stay fit?
Not really. I try and keep my stuff as minimal as possible. I don't like suitcases that much, so I try to keep everything packed into one or two small bags and have other things at the venue. My health routine is to eat really fresh food and I'm vegan. I have a routine for exercise every day. I do yoga and a bit of weights as well. Swimming, cycling and yoga are are my go-tos. The only thing I miss when I'm on tour I don't get to walk my dog.
I know you've been a longtime advocate for animal rights. Do you have just one dog?
I have a mutt, Peaches. I rescued her. She's just the love of my life along with my family.
You had a special Record Store Day version of 'It's Only Love' (Adams' 1985 hit with Tina Turner). What was it like hearing Tina's voice again on those tapes that you found?
It should be out on (digital service providers) within the next month. But it was so exciting. I contacted Warner Brothers (Music) and they found a couple of different versions of her vocal and we created a new version. The Midnight Mix, I call it, it just our voices and keyboard, completely naked. When you hear it, you'll understand the power of Tina's voice.
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