C
ritically acclaimed rock
musician. Seasoned fashion
and lifestyle photographer.
Passionate humanitarian and
animal rights activist. Such is the career
trajectory of Bryan Adams, an iconic
figure in Canadian pop culture. With
an expansive career, conquering many
creative endeavours, Adams is a cultural
force to be reckoned with. He has directly
influenced a slew of musicians, both Canadian and not, and even help shape the
evolution of an entire decade’s worth of
rock music. Avril Lavigne, Shania Twain,
and Nickelback just a few of the Canadian
artists Adams’ paved the way for. Whether
you like it or not, you (yes, you reading!)
know at least one Bryan Adams song check your karaoke list. Nevertheless,
Canadian culture would arguably not be
what it is today without Adams’ work.
Most know Bryan Adams as a talented
singer-songwriter. With hits like “Heaven,” “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”
and most notably “Summer of 69,” he
was a mainstay on the contemporary rock
charts. His first few records garnered him
a following across North America, but
with the release of his third album Cut
Like a Knife in 1983, Adams skyrocketed
to global fame. After that came tours,
more albums, more hit singles, countless
awards and nominations - Adams’ music
career is no joke. And, he all accounts it
back to him first learning guitar - “I’m all
about making something from nothing.” Adams says the moment he become
triumphant in his music career was when
he could pay his rent from doing what he
loved. His major contributions to pop and
rock music, along with his philanthropic
work, have earned him membership status
with the Order of Canada and the Order
of British Columbia. It is staggering how
much talent this man possesses.
Experimenting with different creative mediums was one of the reasons why Adams
first picked up the camera. Of course,
being on tour and being around a crew
of journalists and photographers, Adams
already had a peripheral view of the art of
photography. He was already being shot as
a touring artist by hundreds of others; it is
not uncommon for the subject to become
interested in the craft. But once he took
a serious look through the camera lens,
Adams discovered himself to be a natural.
“I just liked [taking] photos of friends
and family, and documenting my trips
on the road as a musician,” he explains in
this Chloe magazine exclusive. This year,
Adams released his thirteenth album, Get
Up. His first album consisting of all original material since 2008, this new record
features the single “You Belong To Me.”
The video for the single was directed by
Adams himself.