To say Bryan Adams hasn't earned his stardom is like saying Bill Gates "got lucky" with Microsoft. After signing his first record contract at the tender age of 18, Adams embarked on a lengthy touring schedule which engulfed the young rocker for the early 80's but gained him the support of thousands of adoring fans. A classic before it was released, Cut's Like A Knife (1983) solidified his stardom, earning platinum status after only 8 months and giving Adams his first top 10 hit, "Straight From The Heart".<p> Criticized as "a shallow formularization of Bruce Springsteen", the clean-cut Canadian with the trademark white T-shirt ignored his detractors, and much to the enjoyment of his growing fan base, continued to make music, releasing Reckless in 1984 on his 25th birthday. Grammy recognition soon followed - silencing his critics - and earning Bryan Adams the distinction of being Canada's foremost musical ambassador of the 80's. Reckless produced perhaps Adams' biggest hit, the teenage anthem "Summer of '69", along with perennial favorites "Heaven" and "Run to You".<p> The world had taken to Bryan Adams and Canada honored him in turn. His list of awards speak for themselves: a dozen Juno Awards, a Diamond Sales Award for Reckless (which also became the best-selling Canadian album of all time), and the prized distinction of being named the Recording Artist of the Decade. <p> After a four year recording hiatus from 1987's Into The Fire , Bryan Adams jumped back into superstar mode with 1991's Waking Up The Neighbors , which was backed by a three year world tour. Driven by the success of "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)", a product of his first foray into film music, Adams sold out venues across the globe and looked destined to continued super-stardom throughout the 90's.<p> Despite criticism that his music has weakened with commercial success and that he has become nothing more than an over-paid balladeer, Bryan Adams continues to ignore the naysayers and follow his calling.<p> A recent Best Of collection and plans for another world tour send a clear message from Adams that like it or not, he is (in spirit) 18 till he dies, and has no plans on slowing down just yet. Dave Brosha info@canehdian.com http://www.canehdian.com/