www.bryan-web.com
  December 2003
 
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Which Bryan Adams album do you like best?

 "Reckless" is my favourite album, overall.

What are your favourite Bryan Adams songs?

Actually, there are lots of songs that bring back good memories. "Run To You" and "Summer of '69" are two of my favourites. I'm also very fond of "I'm Ready" from the MTV album. I thought Bryan, along with Patrick Leonard and Michael Kamen, did an amazing job on that track.
 
I've read in an interview on your website that "Native Son" and "Remembrance Day" disappointed you. Why is this? "Native Son" is one of my favourite songs.
Honestly, I think we were trying too hard. In the mid-80's Sting, Peter Gabriel and U2 were writing inspirational songs with "important" messages, and I think we felt we had to do the same. Some of it worked, some of it didn't.

What do you think of the songs Bryan has written with other songwriters after the split between you?

 A lot of them are fantastic.  "Back To You" and "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" are a couple of good ones. "Best Of Me" is an excellent song, with a brilliant arrangement ... and so is "Everything I Do". Bryan's done great work since we split. I'm still a huge fan.

Do you think that Bryan or you will bring out an unreleased songs album/box? It would be great for the fans.

 I'd love to see our demos released as part of a box set. Bryan has control over that decision, so we'll have to wait and see.

If you could change anything you wanted of one of Bryan Adams albums what would this be?

 I wish Bob Clearmountain had produced the first album, instead of Bryan and I.

What do you think of a duet between Bryan and Bruce Springsteen? I"m also a fan of Bruce and I think it would be great if they work together.

A duet between Bryan and anyone would be good.

Do you think that you'll ever write songs with Bryan in the future if he asks you?

He's asked a number of times ... but the more I think about it, the more I believe you can't go back. It'd be like trying to make a broken marriage work again. Sometimes it easier to remain friends by keeping it casual.
 
 
Which songs success surprised you the most?

Bryan and I wrote "Heaven" in 1983, for a dreadful film called "A Night In Heaven". A year later, when Bryan was recording "Reckless" he didn't want to include "Heaven" on the album He didn't think it belonged. Finally, at the last minute he decided to add the song. It went to "Number One" in America ... it was our first major hit. From the garbage heap to the top of the charts. That was a nice surprise!
And which songs disappointed you the most?

Parts of "Into The Fire" were a disappointment for me -- Native Son, Remembrance Day -- but some people tell me it's their favourite Adams album!
You mention on your website that you were asked to be involved with the Unplugged project, but declined. If you had gone ahead with this would you have included any tracks that you co-wrote that wasn't used?

I wouldn't have picked "I'm Ready"  --  but that turned out to be my favourite track on the album! Patrick Leonard turned an ordinary "rocker" into a beautiful ballad.
What were your impressions of the "Spirit Soundtrack" album?

To be honest I haven't heard the entire "Spirit" album, but it seemed a bit "soft" to me. I prefer Bryan when he rocks. In fact, I think he's one of the best rock-and-roll singers, ever. Put some guitar, bass and drums behind that voice and it's unbeatable.
Are there any unrecorded songs left that still have a chance of seeing a record?

There are dozens of unrecorded songs from the "Neighbours" period. Not much of it was good, but there are a few songs I'm fond of, like "Little Darlin'". I don't think Bryan will ever record those songs, because he doesn't look back. He's always moving forward, looking for new creative challenges.
Have you ever thought of writing a book?

In many ways my website is my "book".
Do you have you any advice for any budding songwriters out there wanting to get a big break?

If you want your songs recorded, write them with a recording artist. Find a band, a singer, anything. If you write a song and just send it to someone, it will likely never get recorded. You have to write with the artist.
Apart from music what are your other interests?

I enjoy travelling. Reading. Films. I also enjoy spending time with my family. My son is 14 and becoming very accomplished on guitar, bass and drums. It's fun to play music with him.
Do you consider the 'Reckless era' your peak of quality songwriting, or do you feel you have come a long way since then?

I think "Reckless" was the peak for Bryan and I as a team. Later, Bryan had great success with Mutt, and I had success with Aerosmith, Ozzy and others. But for Bryan and I, everything came together on "Reckless".

 Are there any artists you have been writing with recently and are releasing a co-wrote song with you to look out for?

My latest release is with a Canadian band, "Default".
And finally, there were a lot of mixed stories about the partnership between yourself and Bryan breaking up - can you clear the air of confusion and set the story straight?

For much of 1988 and '89 Bryan and I wrote songs for 10 or 12 hours, every day! We were tired and burning out. It was a very dark period. Our songwriting suffered and our personal relationship started to crumble. Bryan was more than a friend ... we were like brothers, but it just got to the point where it was beyond repair.