ryan Guy Adams, born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, has become the most popular Canadian Rock artist of the late '80s/early '90s. His musical career spans the past two decades over which he has played with many bands and musicians.

And because of his distinctive musical style and vocals he has earned the esteemed reputation of one of the most prominent and distinctive Rock musician of our day. In 1990, he played a major role in Roger Waters' The Wall Live in Berlin concert. Because of his good relationship with Roger, Bryan has graciously granted REG - The International Roger Waters Fan Club an exclusive interview.

Having previously worked with the band Sweeney Todd, Bryan Adam's solo career commenced in 1978, when he began writing songs with former Prism member Jim Vallance, who was keen to retire from live work but not from songwriting. Some of these early composition collaborations were recorded by other bands such as Loverboy, and Bachman Turner Overdrive. Then in 1979 Bryan signed a contract with A&M Records' Rondor Music, putting together a band which included Vallance on drums. Their debut single, Let Me Take You Dancing, was followed by a similarly titled album, however unfortunately neither charted. Most of 1982 saw Bryan Adams touring with Foreigner. However, soon after, his next solo effort, the album You Want It You Got It, scraped into the lower regions of the US music charts. But it was his third solo album, 1983's Cuts Like A Knife, which was his breakthrough into stardom, reaching number 8 on the charts and going Platinum in the US (however, it did not chart in the UK until 3 years later). With stardom came changes in the band, with the departure of Vallance, though he would maintain his songwriting partnership with Bryan. Three singles followed the album which took respectable positions in the US charts.

Bryan's fourth album, Reckless, was a smashing success, issued near the end of 1984 it returned him to the top 10. It also gave him his first major UK chart placing, reaching number 7. The following single Run to You, fared well on both sides of the Atlantic, as did the single Somebody. He scored a Number 1 hit in the US in mid 1985 with the single Heaven which included a b-side tribute to Princess Diana called Diana. This single with the a-side title and the b-side title tribute put together on the same record is somewhat ironic in light of the recent tragic events. In the UK it reached number 38. In July 1985, Bryan Adams, introduced by actor Jack Nickolson, performed at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia. He also co-wrote with Vallance for, and helped perform on the Canadian benefit record for Ethiopia, Tears Are Not Enough. The defiant and celebratory 'Summer of 69' again returned him to the top 10 in the US charts. He ended that successful year recording a duet with Tina Turner on It's Only Love. Released in March 1987, his fifth album, Into the Fire, shot to the top of the charts in both the US and the UK. It was comprised of many political songs spawned by Bryan's charity work and tours with Amnesty International. It also became the final effort of the Adams/Vallance songwriting team.

The late '80s proved a comparatively tranquil time for Bryan as he took stock of his career. In 1988, he guested at the Nelson Mandela birthday party concert at Wembley Stadium in London.

It was on July 21, 1990 that he received what may have been the most notoriety of his career. It was on stage in front of 300,000-450,000 people with a worldwide television viewing audience of literally millions! Live in Potsdam Platz in Berlin, standing upon one of the largest most mammoth stages in the history of music, shoulder to shoulder with Roger Waters, Bryan Adams was in his glory. The multi-million dollar multimedia extravaganza, The Wall Live in Berlin became one of the largest and most widely viewed outdoor concert in history. Through his raucous and jaunty musical style, Bryan Adams played a major role in facilitating the concerts success.

His contribution to the 1991 Kevin Costner film, "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves," was the single, (Everything I do) I Do It For You, was a phenomenal success, topping the UK listings for an incredible 16 weeks, selling more than 3 million copies and hitting the number 1 mark in the USA. It became the best selling single of that year. Waking Up the Neighbors, his hugely successful 1992 album took no less than 18 months to produce. It contained several hits including Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven. In 1994, he returned from a major tour of South East Asia. In the press, he became the first western rock artist to visit Vietnam since the end of the war. All For Love, a collaboration with Sting and Rod Stewart became another major hit. Bryan Adams proved he could write and perform strong ballad's as well as heavy rock songs. He is without question one of the most talented musicians of our time. I interviewed Bryan Adams who lives in Canada, for REG - The International Roger Waters Fan Club.

Alastair:

Could you tell us about some of your early influences?

Bryan:

Hmmm, Other than the obvious Beatles influence, mostly singers. I always liked blues and R&B, but didn't really know much about it, I was hearing it second hand thru the Stones, Humble Pie, etc.

Alastair:

"Summer of 69" was the song that made you a household name in the UK. Was it a hit everywhere?

Bryan:

It has become that now, but on it's release it stiffed everywhere, including the UK.

Alastair:

It is one of my all time favorite songs - were you surprised it was such a hit?

Bryan:

Well, that song always surprised me. From it's inception it was always exciting, so I'm glad everyone else got it... one thing people never got though, was the song isn't about the actual year 1969.... it's about making love Ala. "69"!

Alastair:

How did you first meet Roger?

Bryan:

On the telephone.

Alastair:

You performed on The Wall Live in Berlin with Roger. What was the experience like in front of 200,000+ people?

Bryan:

Next to parachuting, about the most freaked I've ever been.

Alastair:

Was that the biggest show you had ever taken part in?

Bryan:

We did a show of our own in 1988 in East Berlin for 120,000 but nothing compared to this. Live Aid was huge, so was the Mandela show, but for shear volume of people.... The Wall.

Alastair:

I have been a Pink Floyd fan for nearly 25 years. I saw The Wall at Earls Court in 1981 and it was a fantastic experience. I watched the Berlin show live on TV and your performance of 'What Shall We Do Now' and 'Young Lust' were quite outstanding. Were you pleased with your own performance?

Bryan:

I was. Yes, I thought it was OK. It is daunting to sing other people's songs, especially while they are standing next to you. By the way, I sang on 'Empty Spaces', 'Young Lust', and 'The Tide is Turning', not on 'What Shall We Do Now'.

Alastair:

Did Roger pick the songs or did you have some say in it?

Bryan:

Roger did the pickin! He wanted me to sing 'Empty Spaces' and was waiting for Steve Winwood to show up. After tea at the rehearsal, he just walked up to me and said, "would you mind singing 'Young Lust' as well?"

Alastair:

'Young Lust' was perfect for you, and 'Empty Spaces' is a very underrated song. Did you enjoy singing it with Roger?

Bryan:

It was slightly unnerving, the whole day thinking the PA was going to blow up at any time!!! But yes, it was a trip to sing with him, I think you will agree that we sound quite good harmonizing on the "rap" section at the end of 'Empty Spaces'.

Alastair:

The power failure at the beginning of the show - how did this effect Roger and the other artists?

Bryan:

I think Roger tap-danced... the other artists?... We freaked out... it was quite unnerving to think the PA was going to cut out on you (all it was, was a 5 pound breaker in the fuse box)!

Alastair:

Do you have any interesting stories to tell from the show with the other artists?

Bryan:

You should have asked me sooner - it's all kind of a blur.

Alastair:

The site was Potsdam Platz, "no-mans-land," and has Hitler's bunker buried beneath. Did the history of the site affect you in any way during the show?

Bryan:

The dust was fucking awful! Later we found out that it was full of asbestos.... cough!

Alastair:

During rehearsal, Roger ran his band through 'The Gunners Dream' from the Final Cut album and part of an as yet unreleased 'Bravery of Being Out of Range' from the Amused To Death album. Did you remember that song?

Bryan:

No, sorry.

Alastair:

The album, of course, was live. But because of the power outages, did you have to re-record anything for this after the show?

Bryan:

No, it sounded great live.

Alastair:

Did you enjoy the finale of the show?

Bryan:

Yes, but I don't remember much about it, to be honest.

Alastair:

Did you meet Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC, and if so, what were your impressions of said gentleman?

Bryan:

Yes, I did. He was an extremely nice man. He was interested to know I'd come from Canada, because he had set up a few of his charity homes over there.

Alastair:

Are you working on any projects at the moment?

Bryan:

An MTV Unplugged album. Out for Christmas!

Alastair:

Could you tell us what other artists you have worked with over the years?

Bryan:

Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson, Paul Roger's, Tina Turner, Sting, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Luciano Pavarotti, Paco deLucia, ...there are quite a few more.

Alastair:

What hopes do you have for your career in the future?

Bryan:

My future career? I'm happy to have the one I've got right now, thanks very much!

Alastair:

Thanks Bryan for taking the time for REG - The International Roger Waters Fan Club, and doing this interview. I feel honored to have been able to interview you.

I would like to thank Kim Blake, Bryan's assistant, for setting up this interview. A more pleasant lady you will not meet. All my best wishes go out to you Kim!