Watch Bryan Adams’ New “Never Gonna Rain” Music Video and Discover What His “First Real Six-String” Really Was
The Canadian songsmith releases the fourth single from his forthcoming ‘So Happy It Hurts’ album and reveals the identity of that mysterious “five and dime” guitar
Bryan Adams has released a fourth single – “Never Gonna Rain” – from his highly anticipated album So Happy It Hurts. Due for release on March 11, the new long-player is the Canadian maestro’s 15th studio effort to date and will be available in the form of various bundles comprising CDs, regular vinyl, colored vinyl, and t-shirts.
A limited-edition box set features the Deluxe CD, the vinyl album, a signed photo, and a 48-page hardbound book.
With an accompanying music video shot in the loading bay of a Las Vegas hotel, Adams says the optimistically titled “Never Gonna Rain” is based around the idea of, “Living in the moment, instead of in fear. Turning the negatives into positives. Taking the rain and turning it into a gift."
Adams is one of the best-selling artists of all time with dozens of top ten singles to his name, including the international smash hit “Summer of '69” – an anthemic fist-pumper with lyrics that resonate with many a fellow ‘lifer’ guitarist.
But what exactly was that “first real six-string” Adams sings about with such bittersweet nostalgia? And was it really bought “at the five and dime?” It appears our sibling magazine across the pond, Guitarist, may have found the answer in a recent interview with the man himself.
"I bought an imitation Les Paul at a 'five and dime' store in Ottawa, Canada in 1971,” reveals Adams. “Before that, I had an imitation Strat which I bought in Reading, England in 1970.
“It felt real at the time to have a Les Paul, even though I'm a massive Ritchie Blackmore fan – still am. I was heavily into Humble Pie's Rockin’ the Fillmore album at the time, and both Peter Frampton and Steve Marriott were on Les Pauls. It's rock guitar heaven, that album."
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Stream the Bryan Adams single “Never Gonna Rain” here.
Pre-order the album So Happy It Hurts here.
Rod Brakes is a music journalist with an expertise in guitars. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a writer covering artists, industry pros and gear includes contributions for leading publications and websites such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar World, Guitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.
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