Free Bryan Adams concert in 1990 at C.O.P.?? Anyone else remember this?
An old friend and I were having a conversation about this concert yesterday.. neither of us can find one word about it anywhere on the internet! I believe it was 1990. Were we living in a parallel universe, or did this concert actually happen? I am pretty sure it was at COP, it rained like crazy and was a riot - may have even been July 1. I am just trying to nail down a date and details for my own sanity! Thanks to anyone who can help me out!
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.
Yep - I was there with friends too.
I remember the rain and climbing back up the muddy hill as we had parked on top of the hill close to the ski jump tower.
I also remember that person being killed by lightning thinking that could have been me.
The concert was free because the promoter bailed at last minute and Bryan Adams said lets have a free concert. That is why we ended up going.
Hi from Japan! Yes I do remember. I and my friend were visiting my friend John in Calgary. On that morning John told us about that free gig at Olympic park. Some bands cancelled the show. Only 3 were there. The opening act was Paul Laine followed by TPOH (The Pursuit of Happiness) and then Bryan Adams and band was there. It was one of the best Bryan's gig ever for me. It started to rain just before encore stage started and the last tune was Summer of 69 in the heavy rain. It was muddy everywhere! Can't forget that one day in summer of 90 in Calgary.
Good luck to me for a response but does anyone know if the Beach Boys were one of the bands at COP that canceled and maybe played anyway? Or any other Beach Boy concerts in Calgary around that time?
So funny I was just looking this concert up and came across this thread. I was at this outdoor concert as well. I remember having the tickets and then a bunch of the bands backed out and Bryan Adams said he was going to put on a free concert for the ticket holders instead. Tragically Hip was just starting out and was one of the bands there, can not recall the other 2 any longer. Light rain in the early part of the day then started coming down pretty good. Bryan Adams was the last to perform and by then it was coming down pretty hard and towards the end the back drop of the stage in far distance was lightening! I remember thinking this was the coolest concert yet. Walking up the mud slope ski hill afterwards was funnier then heck! My friend had a Trans am and we got stuck in the mud pool. About 4 in the morning some guy in his canopy pick up truck came by to rescue the "left over" concert goers. Him and I stil laugh about it to this day. The best part was when he rolled his window down to have a look at why his tires weren't moving (in reverse) and stepped on the gas. All this mud came flying at the side of his right face and in through his open window. He took one look at me, who was historically laughing, and said one day I will laugh at this. Since then I have seen Bryan in concert 11 times, mad respect for him.
So funny I was just looking this concert up and came across this thread. I was at this outdoor concert as well. I remember having the tickets and then a bunch of the bands backed out and Bryan Adams said he was going to put on a free concert for the ticket holders instead. Tragically Hip was just starting out and was one of the bands there, can not recall the other 2 any longer. Light rain in the early part of the day then started coming down pretty good. Bryan Adams was the last to perform and by then it was coming down pretty hard and towards the end the back drop of the stage in far distance was lightening! I remember thinking this was the coolest concert yet. Walking up the mud slope ski hill afterwards was funnier then heck! My friend had a Trans am and we got stuck in the mud pool. About 4 in the morning some guy in his canopy pick up truck came by to rescue the "left over" concert goers. Him and I stil laugh about it to this day. The best part was when he rolled his window down to have a look at why his tires weren't moving (in reverse) and stepped on the gas. All this mud came flying at the side of his right face and in through his open window. He took one look at me, who was historically laughing, and said one day I will laugh at this. Since then I have seen Bryan in concert 11 times, mad respect for him.
It wasn't just a free concert for ticket holders, it was a free concert for anyone. I and a couple of my friends were there. We had parked on top of COP and after the concert had to hike up the steep hill in the mud. That is all I remember - and also that it was free.
[well I just see now that I repeated something that I had posted earlier]
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