[MalcolmTucker]

A few months off - sounds like a good time!

Adams still a fiery performer: [Final Edition]
Mayes, Alison. Calgary Herald; Calgary, Alta. [Calgary, Alta]18 Aug 1990: C16.

RYAN ADAMS, with Paul Laine and The Pursuit Of Happiness at Canada Olympic Park Friday night. Attendance: about 25,000.

Big-time Canadian rock star Bryan Adams did Calgary a big favor Friday.

He not only saved a fouled-up concert from cancellation by offering free tickets, he put on an explosively entertaining show.

The fact that skies were cloudy, the hillside muddy, and rain eventually came pouring down couldn't mar the fantastic spirit of the event.

It only took a few bars of the opening rocker, She's Only Happy When She's Dancin', for Adams to prove he's still a fiery live performer. Though it's been over three years since he released an album, five years since he last played Calgary and months since his last date anywhere in Canada, the urgent- voiced singer sounded as solid as if he'd been touring heavily.

He was, he told us, "damn glad to be back." The large crowd, estimated at as many as 28,000 people despite announcements that only 15,000 would be admitted, welcomed him with wild cheering, robust sing-alongs and - from the female contingent - whistles of appreciation for his sexy stage presence.

The 30-year-old Adams, dressed in beat-up jeans and jean jacket, got energetic backing from a four-piece band, including a keyboardist who played lots of earthy, '60s-style organ (very much in vogue these days).

As a team they were nothing less than sensational, playing hit after rockin' hit. The sound quality was terrific, and if there'd been a roof Adams would've lifted it with the arresting guitar riffs on songs like It's Only Love, Kids Wanna Rock, Take Me Back, Run To You, and a cover of I Fought The Law.

Adams is best on unpretentious material that doesn't pretend to be anything but straight- forward rock, influenced by old- fashioned British bands like The Stones. When he tries for something more "meaningful," as in Native Son, he tends not to succeed as well musically.

But in his best stuff, such as Run To You, he projects a wounded vulnerability that makes women swoon, plus a wild, rebellious spirit that makes guys envious. It would've been nice to hear some new stuff for a suggestion of where his material is headed.

The negative side of the evening was that Concerts North couldn't deliver the top-notch Canadian bands that had been advertised. It was somewhat ridiculous to see T- shirts being hawked with six bands listed - it'll go down in Calgary history as the concert that never happened.

Still, The Pursuit Of Happiness helped ease the let-down with their wonderfully original combination of poppy melodies, dancey guitars, left-of-centre lyrics and irreverent attitude.

Any lead singer who takes shots at both Alannah Myles and New Kids On The Block - and writes songs as hip as Two Girls In One - is a hero in my book.

For the record: [Final Edition]
Herald staff. Calgary Herald; Calgary, Alta. [Calgary, Alta]19 Aug 1990: C6.

One person was struck by lightning Friday near Canada Olympic Park and homeowners, particularly in the Ranchlands district, suffered flooded cars and homes. Lightning battered the city and the roof of a large department store in a northwest shopping mall collapsed.

Thousands of Calgarians flocked to Canada Olympic Park to enjoy a free concert by rock star Bryan Adams and others. Slow ticket sales had threatened to force cancellation of the event Thursday, but Adams' willingness to play anyway allowed the concert to take place. Three Toronto bands, The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo and Basic English were scratched from the bill, however.