E xc e r p t s o f
TNT: Besides being your 11th studio album and being
Harper’s Bazaar, Interview magazine and i-
D. Adams released a book of photos called
Made in Canada in December 1999, and
another in 2000 called Haven. On 1 June
2005, he published his first book of photos
in the United States with Calvin Klein called
American Women. All of his books have
been dedicated to his friend Donna, who
died of breast cancer.
As a photographer, Adams has worked
with many celebrities including some of his
musical peers like Robert Plant, Joss Stone,
Celine Dion, Amy Winehouse, Placido
Domingo and Moby.
He was also invited, along with other
photographers from the Commonwealth, to
photograph Queen Elizabeth II during her
Golden Jubilee; one of the photographs
from this session was used as a Canadian
postage stamp in 2004. Another portrait of
both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
is now in the National Portrait Gallery in
London.
Gail T.W. Thomas reveals
more about Bryan Adams
52 April 08
th e i nte r v i e w
first western artist to play in India in the early
born on the 11th month, why name the album nineties, and I feel (in a very small way) that we
‘11’? helped to pave the road for more western artists
BA: I can’t think of two better reasons really...other to come to India.
than that, there is no obvious reason, but I could
dream a few up. The album happens to have 11 TNT: The people in North East India are very musically
of the best songs I’ve written in ages, and its 11, talented and you have a HUGE fan base here.
which is great because it’s one more than 10. What would you like to tell your fans who are
trying to make it big in the music scene?
TNT: What has been the inspiration behind this BA: I’d say always try to write your own music and be
album? Which are your favourite tracks on this careful what you sign.
album?
BA: Like all of my albums, it’s just a collection of the
best songs I could write. Nothing more, nothing
less. I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite track,
as all 11 songs sit very well with me.
TNT: What is your earliest memory on stage?
BA: Earliest memory was playing a night club at
aged 14. I had to be escorted in and out of the
building as I was underage, singing in a bar.
TNT: You have been in the music industry for years.
What has been the most memorable part of the
journey? Would you like to have done anything
differently?
BA: I wouldn’t change anything, well maybe I’d
change the first 20 years and start after that!
I can’t tell you how long the road is, it’s never-
ending. The journey never seems to end, it just
transforms into something else. I always said if
it started to feel like a job, I’d stop. Thankfully
it hasn’t become that and I still love making
music.
TNT: What is the one thing that drives you?
BA: I have an indefatigable desire to create things.
Whether it be music or even the space I live in, I
am always occupied with a project.
TNT: Bands like FireHouse, Sepultura, Michael Learns
to Rock, Smokie, Scorpions etc have been
performing in the Northeast over the past few
years. In fact, on the same day that Beyonce
performed in Mumbai to a crowd of 3000
people, Eric Martin (of Mr. Big) performed in
Shillong, Meghalaya, to a crowd of 25,000.
Would you consider performing here?
BA: I would be delighted to play there. I was the
April 08 53