Bryan Adams rocks packed house for Pickering Casino Resort’s Arena grand opening
Published April 27, 2023 at 11:19 am
It was an old-fashioned sing-a-long at the Pickering Casino Resort Wednesday night as the new Arena was baptized with a show from Canadian rock icon Bryan Adams.
More than 40 years after he exploded onto the music scene in Canada and exactly four decades after his 1983 release ‘Cuts Like a Knife” made him a global superstar and a sex symbol to a generation of women, Adams showed last night he’s still got it, and his multi-generational audience still loves what he delivers in his live shows.
Adams’ powerful voice was as strong as ever and whenever he needed to give his vocal cords a break he just handed the mike to the audience and let them sing along.
And that was often as the packed house – especially near the front – was in full voice themselves singing along to classics like Summer of ’69, It’s Only Love, Can’t Stop This Thing We Started and 18 Till I Die.
And, of course, Cuts Like a Knife, which he sang after asking for ‘requests’ from the crowd.
Photo Glenn Hendry
Shine a Light was another big hit and where it was cigarette lighters that would have illuminated the arena when Adams started out, hundreds of camera flashlights did the job in 2023 to great effect.
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His band was tight and Adams deferred several times to entertaining lead guitarist Keith Scott, who performed several blistering solos, including one that included him spinning his guitar around his body.
Adams finished his set with a rousing rendition of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, the much-covered classic love song made famous by Frankie Valli in 1967, with the Pickering crowd enthusiastically singing along.
Toronto Blue Jays Daulton Varsho, Danny Jansen and Brandon Belt enjoying the Bryan Adams show Wednesday. Photo Glenn Hendry
Wednesday was the official opening of the Arena at the casino and 2,500 people packed the venue, with celebrities including a trio of Toronto Blue Jays, Shawn Mendes’ parents and legendary music producer Bob Ezrin.
The live entertainment venue, located inside the newly built $500 million casino, will host live performances, sporting events, and special attractions.
Adams’ music has reached number one status in more than 40 countries and the singer/songwriter has received numerous awards in his career, including a Grammy and 20 Junos, induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada. He has also received three Academy Award and five Golden Globe nominations.
The crowd reaction to Bryan Adams urging them to ‘Shine a Light’ Photo Glenn Hendry
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