Bryan Adams ....... Still Wakin' Up the Neighbours!

Story:  Don Graham

Canadian icon Bryan Adams hit the Air Canada Centre stage in Toronto as part of his 20 cities, 20 shows , 20 years tour on May 3, 2012, to a sold out crowd of adoring fans.

This is the first time in 20 years that Bryan Adams has toured his home and native land from coast to coast and it was obvious from his performance that he hasn't lost a step delivering his raspy, gutsy vocals in the same keys as he recorded them all those years ago. Adams is still playing the searing guitar solos that carried him to the top of his craft.

The 30 song set was an awesome reminder of just how many hits this guy had. The minute he strolled out onto the massive ACC stage the crowd belonged to him and he didn't disappoint. How rewarding for him to play to 20,000 folks who knew every word, every note of every song he played. Especially when he pointed out " I remember playing on Yonge Street in Toronto when the bouncer would walk me from the so-called "dressing room" to the stage where I would play for three people!"

He then went on to say, "One night after work, in 1976, I was 16 years old and I walked outside after playing and ran into this guitar player from a "rival" band. We went and had a coffee at a diner that no longer exists, and the next week he joined my band." He then turned to his guitarist on stage, Keith Scott, and said " Who knew all these years later I'd still be looking at him, ladies and gentlemen, Keith Scott."  A priceless moment as the two brothers from different mothers stood side by side on the stage of Toronto's premier venue , playing to a packed house 35 years later. Adams used every bit of the huge stage with lead vocal mics set up on either side  as well as center stage, allowing the crowd in all the seats a chance to see him up close and face on. He alternated brilliantly between the three lead mics.

"House Arrest", "18 Till I Die", "Summer of '69", "Please Forgive Me", "Cuts Like a Knife", "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You", "Heaven"....the hits kept coming.  An amazing acoustic version of "Straight From the Heart" turned the evening into a huge love fest between the city of Toronto and Bryan Adams. And he still looked like he enjoyed every minute of every note of every song.

Bravo Bryan, well done, 20 years later you're still waking up the neighbours!