Bryan Adams Reflects on His Musical Journey and Reunited Guitar in New Podcast

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. The Origins of “Summer of '69”
4. Pandemic as a “Lifesaver”
5. Songwriting by Committee: Behind the Scenes of Pretty Woman
6. Help Musicians Charity: Supporting Artists
7. The Road Ahead: Future Projects and Aspirations
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Bryan Adams opens up about the real story behind his iconic song "Summer of '69," revealing he bought his first guitar in Reading, UK, in 1970.
• The Canadian rock star recounts an emotional journey of reconnecting with his first guitar after many years.
• Adams discusses his experiences during the pandemic, highlighting how it paradoxically became a "lifesaver" for his family.
• The conversation also touches upon his songwriting experience for the West End musical Pretty Woman and the challenges he faced in the music industry.

Introduction

Did you know that the beloved line "I got my first real six-string, bought it at the Five and Dime" doesn’t refer to an American thrift store, but rather a music shop in Reading, England? Bryan Adams, the Canadian rock icon, revealed this and more in a recent episode of the podcast I Never Thought It Would Happen, hosted by Chris Difford, a member of the renowned band Squeeze. This revelation not only sheds light on the songwriting process behind his classic hit "Summer of '69," but also dives into the unexpected challenges and emotional moments he has faced throughout his musical career, especially during the pandemic.

In this article, we'll explore Adams' musical history, the background of his famous song, the impact of the global pandemic on his life, and his deep connection to the guitar that kickstarted his journey as a musician.

The Origins of “Summer of '69”

Adams has always emphasized the autobiographical nature of his songs. Yet, the details behind "Summer of '69" often spark the imaginations of fans, conjuring images of carefree summers spent in nostalgia. However, the truth is slightly different. Adams was only 10 years old in 1969 and the guitar that inspired him was actually purchased in 1970 from a shop in Reading. This context is crucial in understanding the authenticity that Adams brings to his music.

During the podcast episode, he shared, “I got my first real six-string; I bought it at the Five and Dime. But the Five and Dime is not an American store—it’s a local shop in Reading where I found it. This subtle shift gives a new perspective on the song's narrative."

His First Guitar: A Lifelong Connection

Adams' journey with his first guitar mirrors his career in many ways—filled with twists, turns, and moments of unexpected discovery. After purchasing the instrument, his family frequently relocated due to his father’s work for the Canadian embassy, taking him from Reading to various places, including Israel. One remarkable moment involved a neighbor with whom he'd left the guitar. Years later, an unexpected email would change everything.

He received a message from someone claiming to have his first guitar, but lost contact with this individual. The twist came over a decade later when a stranger approached him in a Berlin club and said, "I’ve got your first guitar." This stranger had been a friend of the original emailer who had passed away. This emotional reunion is a testament to the power of music and memories intertwined.

Pandemic as a “Lifesaver”

While the pandemic has taken a toll on the lives and careers of artists worldwide, Adams found a silver lining amidst the chaos. “For us as a family, it was great. It was a time where we couldn’t go anywhere, and that was a lifesaver,” he explained during the podcast.

Many musicians struggled with uncertainty, and Adams wasn't immune to this concern. He shared, “I had convinced myself I was not going to work again. I thought the pandemic had kiboshed things for all musicians… we’re done.” This anxiety reflects the broader fears shared by artists everywhere about the future of live music and the industry at large.

Creative Output During the Lockdowns

Despite his initial concerns, Adams was able to perform in unique conditions, including a masked show in Portugal. The experience of playing in front of an audience adhering to health regulations proved to be strange, noting that "the sound from the crowd isn’t the same; it is muted." Such insights from his experiences illustrate the significant challenges artists faced during the pandemic and how they had to adapt while nurturing their creative identities.

Songwriting by Committee: Behind the Scenes of Pretty Woman

Alongside his career as a touring musician, Adams has also ventured into musical theatre. He collaborated with writing partner Jim Vallance to compose the songs for the West End adaptation of Pretty Woman. In the podcast, he described the experience as "songwriting by committee," where ideas had to pass through several layers of approval from directors and producers.

"Every time we’d come up with a song, we’d have a committee meeting. Sometimes we’d get it, and sometimes we wouldn’t. There are 20 songs on the cast album, but probably 40 were written," he shared. This complex process raises questions about the creative freedom artists hold in collaborative writing environments, often sacrificing personal touch for commercial viability.

Adams’ comments provide an interesting perspective on the evolving nature of songwriting in modern theatrical productions. Many contemporary artists might find themselves navigating similar dynamics between artistic integrity and the demands of the industry.

Help Musicians Charity: Supporting Artists

The podcast episode also serves as a platform for promoting Help Musicians, the charity that supports artists during and after their careers. Chris Difford, the host, reinforced the importance of this initiative. “Recording this podcast has become an annual highlight for me. It’s so much fun to uncover these untold stories from across music,” he expressed.

Sarah Woods, the Chief Executive of Help Musicians, emphasized the necessity of the organization in the precarious music industry landscape, stating, “Being a musician is a truly rewarding career, but it also comes with challenges and barriers that can be difficult to navigate.” In 2024 alone, Help Musicians delivered over 17,000 interventions to support artists in the UK, underscoring their vital work as a safety net for musicians facing crises.

This larger context of community support in the music industry resonates with Adams’ experiences during the pandemic, making clear the critical nature of having a robust support network when times are tough.

The Road Ahead: Future Projects and Aspirations

Looking beyond the pandemic and his podcast revelations, Adams remains enthusiastic about his future projects. Collaborations and performances are in the pipeline, alongside his work with Help Musicians. Both he and Difford expressed hope that the upcoming series of the podcast will continue to resonate with audiences and celebrate the stories of artists at all levels.

Moreover, the landscape of the music industry is ever-evolving, and Adams is poised to adapt. Should another global crisis arise, he pondered whether society would respond with the same compliance. "I don’t think if the pandemic happened again, people would lock down as they did this time,” he mused, reflecting on the varying societal attitudes towards emergency public health measures.

Conclusion

Bryan Adams’ journey is a mosaic of memories, musical milestones, and unexpected reunions, offering both fans and newcomers a deepened understanding of his artistry. His stories reflect the complexities of the music industry, the profound emotional bonds artists hold with their instruments, and the resilience required to navigate challenges such as the pandemic. Through his podcast and engagement with charitable causes like Help Musicians, Adams continues to inspire both audiences and fellow musicians, proving that music—and the stories behind it—truly can be a lifeline.

FAQ

What is the real story behind "Summer of '69"?

Bryan Adams reveals in a recent podcast that he actually bought his first guitar in a music shop in Reading, UK, in 1970, not in mid-century America, as commonly perceived from the song's lyrics.

How did the pandemic affect Bryan Adams’ career?

Adams initially feared he would not work again due to the pandemic, but he found that it became a "lifesaver" for his family, allowing for quality time together despite the strange conditions of performing before masked audiences.

What was Bryan Adams' experience writing music for the Pretty Woman musical?

Adams described the songwriting process as "songwriting by committee," emphasizing the multiple layers of approval each song had to go through, resulting in many songs written but not used.

How does Help Musicians support artists?

Help Musicians provides support through various services aimed at aiding musicians across different stages of their careers, especially during crises. In 2024, they delivered over 17,000 support interventions.

What are Bryan Adams’ future plans?

Adams remains optimistic about his future in music, with plans for new collaborations, performances, and continued work with charitable organizations like Help Musicians.