Bryan Adams returns for Covelli concert

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

It was the summer of ’85, and Bryan Adams was all over the radio.

The Canadian rocker’s album “Reckless” had launched the 25-year-old into superstardom. It spawned a string of hits, including the ubiquitous “Summer of ’69,” but also “Run to You,” “Heaven,” “Somebody,” “It’s Only Love” and “One Night Love Affair.”

Adams was something of a Canadian Bruce Springsteen back then, a fresh-faced rocker with clean guitar riffs that could cut like a knife. He crossed the line into pop with an electric guitar strapped across his back, a boy next door with maybe a pinch of danger.

That was more than three decades ago. Adams would never duplicate the glory of “Reckless” – that would have been a gargantuan task – but he remained very relevant across the globe.

Adams will return to Youngstown on Tuesday when he plays Covelli Centre. It will be his first visit to the Valley since he brought his stripped-down acoustic tour to Powers Auditorium in 2010.

The rocker is still touring his latest album, “Get Up,” which was released last October. He’s crisscrossed the globe, performing a careder-spanning set that goes beyond his passel of hits.

It’s hard to find anybody who will say they don’t like Bryan Adams. But how much do you really know about him?

Here are some facts that shed light on the man and his amazing career:

Sales: The Grammy-winner has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, garnering 21 Top 10 hits and seven No. 1 hits, and achieving No. 1 status for songs in 40 countries. He is the top-selling Canadian artist of all time.

Origins: The Canadian star was born and grew up in Kingston, Ontario, but his parents had immigrated from England.

Diet: Adams owes his eternal youth to a vegetarian lifestyle.

Star: In March 2011, he was honored with the 2,435th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Good deeds: In 2010, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented Adams with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, a tribute to his fundraising and charitable efforts. His efforts helped to build schools in southeast Asia devastated by the tsunami of 2004.

Gold medal: He performed at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, with Nelly Furtado.

Often covered: Adams’ songs have been covered on every top-rated TV singing competition show on three continents, and by his contemporaries, including Ryan Adams, the Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean.

Photographer: The singer is a celebrated photographer in both fashion editorial and exhibits. He has released two photography books: “Exposed” and “Wounded.”

Stamp of approval: A black and white photo portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is on a Canadian stamp.

Canadian honors: Adams has been awarded the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia.