One of my favorite memories from last year was seeing Bryan Adams in concert.
I’ve loved his music since I first heard “Straight From the Heart” at a middle school dance. When his Reckless album was released in the 80s, I listened to that cassette tape with the hits “Heaven“, “Somebody” and “Summer of ’69” thousands of times.
I would have died to see him in concert during the 80s. While I did see the likes of Madonna, U2, Huey Lewis and The News and other great Generation X bands of the time (thanks, Mom and Dad), I never saw Bryan Adams in concert back then.
Thus, when his reunion tour for the Reckless album came to town last year (on my 21st wedding anniversary no less) you know I was there.
I bought great tickets, which I realized I could afford since I was a working adult.
My husband got a babysitter.
I may or may not have taken a nap on the big day because I would be staying up late and had to go to work the next day.
Finally, I brought ear plugs because there’s been a little bit of ringing lately and I’m not sure what that’s all about.
Yes, after all that, you know I was there.
It was awesome. Educational, too. Here are the 8 Things I Learned at a Bryan Adams Concert:
1. There is a latent teenager inside all of us, even though the outside of us in our 40s or beyond. I’m talking to you, fellow concert-goer wearing vintage jellies and neon bracelets while screaming her head off. You go, girl.
2. I’m not sure what’s funnier: watching a minivan with a stick figure family on its back window unload a car full of tweens for a boy band rock concert or watching a minivan with a stick figure family on its back window unload a car full of 40- and 50-somethings for a Bryan Adams concert.
3. Even middle-aged folks like to get drunk and smoke weed.
4. Live music makes you feel alive in a way that cleaning up cat barf, doing laundry, paying bills and signing your kids’ homework does not.
5. No matter what your age, you can still harbor the completely unrealistic hope that your favorite musician will notice you in the crowd, single you out, learn how much his music means to you, and develop a real friendship. (Yes, I said friendship. I’m not that kinda girl. Plus, Bryan Adams is waaaay shorter than me so I never wanted to be his girlfriend, people!)
6. Big boobs still win. Bryan made a big show of trying to find the right gal to dance on camera while he sang “If ya wanna be bad, ya gotta be good.” He settled on the skinniest one with the biggest boobs (duh).
7. Rock stars are like labor and delivery nurses and car salesman. What is a big deal in your life–attending a rock concert, having a baby, buying a car–is an everyday occurrence for them.
8. Summer of ’69 is still the coolest song ever.
Attending that concert is one of my favorite memories from the past year. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to cook dinner. My kids have hockey practice in an hour plus there’s an odor coming from the backseat that I need to identify.
As Bryan would sing, “It isn’t too hard to see we’re in Heaven.”
Do you like Bryan Adams or any of his songs? What about the 80s? Who is your favorite artist and have you ever seen them in concert? I’d love to hear.
#7! So true. Bryan Adams does have a special place in my heart, although I’ve never seen him in concert (just doodled the names of boys I liked in junior high on my notebooks while humming his music.)
ETA: That happened in junior high, not like, recently. Because that would be weird.
Thanks for clarifying! 😉
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…8 Things I Learned at a Bryan Adams Concert
Katy! Have I ever shared the fact that my twin nieces had the same phone number as Bryan Adams? Yes, recklessly the phone co. assigned it to them shortly after BA got a new one. Famous folk (they never gave their names but we were certain they were famous) would phone the girls and ask for Bryan. It went on for months. So exciting.
Also, back in the day my then new boyfriend who would become my husband, borrowed his sister’s MG and we shot up the highway to Squamish as BA blared from the tape deck. Cannot hear Summer of 69 without flashing back to soaring mountains, warm beer and that time I fell in the creek while scrambling nimbly over the rocks …
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I am impressed by the phone number, the nimble scrambling over the rocks, and by the correct use of “BA” to refer to this esteemed Canadian rocker!
I know that road to Squamish, too. The time my husband and I drove it, though, we were listening to Collective Soul. Whatever happened to them?!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…8 Things I Learned at a Bryan Adams Concert
“Heaven” is mine and my hubby’s song. Love Bryan Adams, but never got to see him. My fave back in the day was Bon Jovi and I saw them twice back in the 80’s…once in Knoxville and once in Chattanooga. Fun story about the Knoxville show, too. I won front row seats and a backstage pass through a radio station. A friend and I had our pic made with Jon – I still have it! Great memory.
I got the chance to see some awesome shows in the 80. I saw Billy Joel, Huey Lewis and the News, Rick Springfield, and Alabama to name a few. Such memories!
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Lynette, that’s amazing about Jon Bon Jovi! How cool. You and your hubby should try and see Bryan sometime. He’s great in concert and the crowd is full of fans who know every word. It’s fun!
Rick Springfield was my very first concert ever. Corey Hart opened for him. It was a blast! The closest I ever got to the front row was at a Thompson Twins and OMD concert. It was general admission up front (I doubt they do that anymore) and I was pressed against some guy who was in the very front for the whole thing. So I was in the “second row” I guess!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…8 Things I Learned at a Bryan Adams Concert
[Sigh] I had my first kiss with “I Do it for You” playing in the background. Love BA! My 40-year-old-teenager moment was at a New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) concert about 6 years ago. Lost my voice and everything. Funny what music an memories can do to a “girl”.
I think it’s awesome that you rocked out to NKOTB. Hangin’ tough!!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…8 Things I Learned at a Bryan Adams Concert
I’ve never seen him in person, but I do like his music. I haven’t been to a live show in ages! Maybe it would do me good!!
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I think it would! I’m not a huge music person, you know, someone who stays on top of what’s new and is always listening to or buying music. BUT I love going to concerts in the summer months. I usually only make 1 a year ( if that) but I always feel so energized by the event.
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…8 Things I Learned at a Bryan Adams Concert
A few years ago I saw Bryan Adams with Def Leperd. That was awesome. I love how he always explains what the Summer of 69 song is really about.
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Ha! Yes, he mentioned that. I’m curious if you went more for Bryan or for Def Leppard? I wasn’t picturing you as a rocker chick with big 80s hair singing along to Pour Some Sugar on Me, but then I don’t really know you IRL do I? 😉
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…8 Things I Learned at a Bryan Adams Concert
OHMYGOSH I AM SOOOO JEALOUS!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE BRYAN ADAMS!! I’m not too tall for the guy either, just sayin’. Shh… Don’t tell Derek.
You LUCKY DUCK YOU!! I’m actually really happy for you- that you were able to get that nap in. 🙂 Mama’s gotta SHINE something FIERCE in front of the boy yo! (<—what was that?)
No seriously, that is something I totally would have done too, btw.
And how did you know I DREAM OF BEING THE ONE ANY rock star (whoever it is- I think my last concert was some kid teen bop so that one doesn't count. Any one other than kid teen bops) locks eyes with ME from out beyond the millions in the crowd and sings RIGHT to ME? Ah…. Never happened.
Also? I really believed Bryan was better than tall skinny big breasted women. Hasn't the man learned anything in his years?
Sigh… Such a shame.
I cranked "Summer of 69" in my mom's station wagon while driving EVERY single day with my bff. We smoked, drank our diet cokes and listened to that AWESOME song or Heaven (If we were feeling emotionally dramatic over a boy especially)while driving endlessly around town thinking we were somethin' ELSE. Oh yes! 80's music will NEVER die!!!
Ah… the memories!
PS: This would have been a highlight for me too. Totally. 🙂
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I felt about 10 years, no 20 years, younger reading your comment! It makes me happy to hear that you like BA too!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…8 Things I Learned at a Bryan Adams Concert
I was 76 years old last year and I finally saw BA last year. And I saw him twice!!! I love his whole catalog of music and I have to say I rocked those concerts. The last concert was a gift from my twin daughters for Mother’s Day They saw their mother in a whole new light. We had so much fun that they got me tickets this year for my birthday and we are going to rock it again. I have been to many concerts and I have to say I think he is just the best to see live. He has so much energy and also Keith Scott is just an awesome guitarist.
Marie, that is awesome!! And I agree that Bryan is amazing to see live. I’ve seen him 3 times now and would go again in a heartbeat. I’ll look for you with your daughters next time I’m there. 😉