Bryan Adams
2005

Meeting celebrities is always exciting, but can often be disappointing. Many people who are larger than life on screen or on CDs, never live up to their public persona in reality. Yet the international superstar Bryan Adams is definitely not your typical star. Because his private life is private, and he is known mainly for his extensive 25-year career in music, the public doesn’t really have an idea what he is like in private. One would expect that Bryan is either a reserved man or an arrogant rocker, content with the knowledge that he has thirteen hit records and some of the most recognisable songs of past two decades under his belt.

Yet Bryan is far from reserved or arrogant and is definitely not one to rest on his laurels. Instead Bryan belies his 44 years of age, with the looks and energy of a man half his age. In his signature blue jeans and white T-shirt, Bryan is the epitomy of ‘the young rocker in a band’. And that is in fact the way he carries himself and interacts with his public. He also continues to challenge himself, travelling the world and being on tour most of the time, while he writes and records new material. In fact today Bryan is focused merely on the future, as he explains, “I used to write and be inspired by the past (like in my songs ‘Summer of ’69’, ‘Heaven’, etc.), but my new album Room Service is all about the present and the future. At this point in my life, I’m only looking ahead.” Bryan’s passion for photography has also blossomed, and now the star has three critically acclaimed photography books to his name: Made in Canada, Haven and American Women. Each of his books contains a compilation of photos taken of remarkable and famous women from Canada, Britain and America respectively, who excel in their field. Produced in close collaboration with the Calvin Klein company, American Women is Bryans third book, featuring prominent women Y Bryan leaving Cairo International Airport

such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Venus Williams and Sarah Jessica Parker. And all proceeds from American Women will benefit the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in support of their ongoing breast cancer research programmes. His first book, Made in Canada (Key Porter, 1999), benefited the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and featured influential Canadian women such as Linda Evangelista, K.D. Lang, Shania Twain and Pamela Anderson. Based on its success, he published a second book, Haven (Trebruk, 2000), in the U.K. to benefit the Haven Trust, a breast cancer support centre in London. The book raised a considerable sum for the charity and received widespread press. For that book, Bryan photographed HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of York, Vanessa Redgrave, Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Moss, Julie Christie, Joan Collins and forty other influential British women. Each of the amazing women included in these books, is photographed in the black and white style of a true professional. Yet even photographing some of the most beautiful and famous women in the world doesn’t seem to have phased Bryan.

As he arrived in Cairo Airport, the night before he performed at Enigma’s 5th Anniversary party at the Pyramids, Bryan casually walked in with his adorable mother and charming assistant by his side. That was the extent of his ‘informal entourage’. As we approached him to say hello, Bryan even seemed shocked that we were waiting for him, as he informed us he had expected to make his own way to the hotel. To witness this ‘regular guy’ attitude from an international superstar coming to perform in Egypt, definitely shocked us all.

On the way to his hotel, Bryan was charming, funny and completely at ease. He seemed sincerely happy and excited to return to Egypt and perform at the last remaining Wonder of the World. The following night, when Bryan took to the stage, his natural charisma, roguish good looks and undeniable charm, put the audience in an excited trance, dancing and singing at his feet. The crowd was filled with enthusiasm as Bryan gave a two-hour performance of his latest and greatest hits, with the Sphinx and the Pyramids standing proudly behind him. For those who were there the experience was pure magic, and the singer himself turned around several times to take in the moment.

The day after, as we revelled in the aftermath of an unforgettable night, we took Bryan on a lovely felucca ride on the Nile and an escapade in Cairo’s Khan El Khalili bazaar. Bryan happily interacted with everyone he met, took several photos with fans and seemed genuinely intrigued by the Egyptian culture and way of life. It was easy to see that Bryan is a truly unique and enigmatic individual. Such unassuming and down to earth stars are hard to come by; especially when they have the talent and the longevity to justifiably act proud and aloof. Yet Bryan was a breath of fresh air, and a real pleasure to be around; a true star in every sense of the word. For more on Bryan’s thoughts on his experience in Egypt, check out our exclusive interview with the star below:

What were your expectations of Egypt and were you excited about singing in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza?
BA: From the moment I heard about Enigma’s event, I wanted to do it.
It’s just too good an idea to not come and play at the pyramids, whatever
the reason.

Did the reality match your expectations?
BA: Beyond...I’m still pinching myself.

The people of Egypt were tremendously excited about your arrival and performance; did you have any idea how popular you are here?
BA: Well, we have played in many parts of the Middle East, and have always had a superb reception. I thought perhaps the show would be quite controlled, but it was just how I like shows to be – people standing up, dancing and enjoying themselves.

As Enigma’s event was very exclusive, would you ever consider returning to Egypt to perform for all your fans who were unable to make it?
BA: I’d come back tomorrow. If someone wants to put on a show here, I’d be right back.

What was the highlight of your time in Egypt? And what will
you remember most?
BA: The thing I will remember most was of course the show and turning around and seeing the sphinx right behind me.

What surprised and/or disappointed you most?
BA: It was exactly as I expected, and more.

I assume every artist has a favourite song, which one is yours? And how did it feel singing it in front of the Sphinx and the
Pyramids?
BA:Well I jokingly dedicated my song ‘18 till I Die’ to King Tut...I hope he saw the humour in it!

As you managed to squeeze a lot into your two day visit in Egypt, what impressed you most and what did you miss out on that you would have liked to do?
BA: There is so much that I’d like to still do in Egypt. There is so much history there, that I couldn’t possibly get it all in two days. Another trip is on the cards.

You had a lot of female attention before,during and after your performance! Whatwas your impression of Egyptian women?Did you expect that kind of attention in an Arab country?
BA: Egypt is a very romantic place and Egyptian women obviously have very good taste! Seriously though, I think people are obviously taken by the romantic songs I’ve written, which perhaps means that all Egyptian’s are incredibly romantic...and why not!

Everyone who met you in Egypt and saw your performance was impressed not only by your talent but also by how charismatic, genuine and down to earth
you are. How do you stay so grounded in a business that must be very superficial and ego driven?
BA: I’m not interested in being a star; I’m only interested in making music and seeing the world. My education didn’t come from being an academic; I dropped out of school and went on the road at age 15. So I come from the school of hard knocks and I turned that experience into hard rock.

At a time when so many Americans and Westerners misunderstand and are afraid of the Middle East, what made you agree to come and perform in Egypt?
BA: I wasn’t afraid at all, mostly because I’ve lived all over the world and I don’t buy into the press coverage and the media hype that seems to dominate the West. If there is one thing I’ve learned from my travels, it’s that people are people, no matter what the race, creed or culture. Most of us want the same things: to be free.

As Enigma is read in Egypt and throughout the Middle East, is there a message you would like to give to our readers?
BA: Yes, we had a great time, we’ll be back and thank you for accepting us so graciously. I remember playing in Jordan last year and being given the most incredible reception. The same was true in Lebanon, Israel, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman. Bryan arriving at Cairo International Airport.