Bryan Adams formed his first solo touring band in the fall of 1981 to promote his second solo album, You Want It You Got It. The initial lineup featured lead guitarist Keith Scott, bassist Dave Reimer, keyboardist John Hannah and drummer Jimmy Wesley. The band's current incarnation includes constant member Scott alongside drummer Pat Steward (who first joined in 1984) and keyboardist Gary Breit (since 2002).
History
Adams formed his first solo touring band in the fall of 1981 to promote his second album, You Want It You Got It. The initial lineup featured lead guitarist Keith Scott, bassist Dave Reimer, keyboardist John Hannah and drummer Jimmy Wesley, although Reimer was replaced early on by Dave Taylor. The band toured throughout the first half of 1982, after which Adams recorded his third album Cuts Like a Knife; Scott and Taylor were featured on the album and the subsequent tour, with Hannah returning but Wesley replaced by Frankie LaRocka. Reckless followed in 1984, with the album's touring band featuring Pat Steward in place of LaRocka. The same lineup remained through shows in 1986, including the Conspiracy of Hope benefit concerts. After the release of Into the Fire in early 1987, Adams' studio drummer Mickey Curry finally joined his live band, having recently left Hall & Oates. Partway through the tour, keyboardist Tommy Mandel — another frequent studio collaborator of Adams' — took over from Hannah in the touring lineup.
The lineup of Scott, Taylor, Mandel and Curry remained stable for several years as Adams' backing band both in the studio and at live shows. After the release of 18 til I Die in 1996, Adams expanded his touring band to a six-piece with the addition of percussionist Danny Cummings. After an acoustic tour and the release of On a Day Like Today, Adams' band was reduced to a three-piece consisting of himself, Scott and Curry. This remained the case until 2002, when Norm Fisher took over on bass and Gary Breit joined on keyboards. Fisher remained until March 2016, when he was forced to step back to take care of his father. He was replaced by Phil Thornalley for the remainder of the tour. Beginning with the 2018 Ultimate Tour until 2024, bass has been handled by Solomon Walker. Adams then began playing bass when Walker continued his touring duties with Morrissey.
Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsKeith Scott1981–presentall Bryan Adams releases from Cuts Like a Knife (1983) onwards, except Bare Bones (2010), Live at Sydney Opera House (2013), Classic and Classic Pt. II (2022)Pat StewardGary Breit2002–present
Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsJohn "Blitz" Hannah1981–1988noneJimmy Wesley1981–1982Cuts Like a Knife (1983) – backing vocals on one track onlyDave Reimer1981noneDave Taylor1981–1998Frankie LaRocka1983–1984 noneTommy Mandel1981–1998Mickey Curry1987–2021Danny Cummings1996–1998Norm Fisher2002–2016Phil Thornalley2016–2017Solomon Walker2018–2024
Timeline
Lineups PeriodMembersLive releasesFall 1981Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Dave Reimer – bass, backing vocals John Hannah – keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy Wesley – drums, backing vocalsrowspan="5" Late 1981–July 1982Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Dave Taylor – bass, backing vocals John Hannah – keyboards, backing vocals Jimmy Wesley – drums, backing vocalsJanuary 1983–March 1984Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Dave Taylor – bass, backing vocals John Hannah – keyboards, backing vocals Frankie La Rocka – drums, backing vocalsDecember 1984–June 1986Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Dave Taylor – bass, backing vocals John Hannah – keyboards, backing vocals Pat Steward – drums, backing vocalsMay 1987–February 1988Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Dave Taylor – bass, backing vocals John Hannah – keyboards, backing vocals Mickey Curry – drums, backing vocalsMay 1988–March 1996Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Dave Taylor – bass, backing vocals Tommy Mandel – keyboards, backing vocals Mickey Curry – drums, backing vocalsLive! Live! Live! (1988)May 1996–1998Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Dave Taylor – bass, backing vocals Tommy Mandel – keyboards, backing vocals Mickey Curry – drums, backing vocals Danny Cummings – percussion, backing vocalsUnplugged (1997) Wembley 1996 Live (2016)1998–2002Bryan Adams – lead vocals, bass Keith Scott – guitar, backing vocals Mickey Curry – drums, backing vocalsLive at the Budokan (2000) Live at Slane Castle, Ireland (2001)2002–March 2016Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Norm Fisher – bass, backing vocals Gary Breit – keyboards, backing vocals Mickey Curry – drums, backing vocalsLive in Lisbon (2005) Bare Bones (2010) Live at Sydney Opera House (2013)March 2016–December 2017Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Phil Thornalley – bass, backing vocals Gary Breit – keyboards, backing vocals Mickey Curry – drums, backing vocalsJanuary 2018–March 2020Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Solomon Walker – bass, backing vocals Gary Breit – keyboards, backing vocals Mickey Curry – drums, backing vocalsNovember 2021–September 2024Bryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Solomon Walker – bass, backing vocals Gary Breit – keyboards, backing vocals Pat Steward – drums, backing vocalsLive at the Royal Albert Hall (2023) Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024 (2024)September 2024–presentBryan Adams – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Gary Breit – keyboards, backing vocals Pat Steward – drums, backing vocals
References
External links Bryan Adams official website