Bryan Adams Honors Joe Cocker at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In November 2025, Bryan Adams inducted Joe Cocker into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, delivering a heartfelt tribute to the singer who greatly inspired him. Adams began his speech by recalling the impact of watching Cocker's 1971 concert film Mad Dogs & Englishmen.
“How could anyone sing like that? And his stage presence was amazing to watch. I can honestly say that any ambitions I had of being a musician before I'd seen that film were doubled by the time I left that cinema. It was that inspiring.”
Adams also highlighted his personal connection to Cocker’s music, having co-written and played guitar on Cocker's final Top 40 hit, 1989’s “When the Night Comes.” He shared an amusing anecdote from that recording session:
“I also made the fatal mistake of once trying to drink with Joe. Joe came in with a bottle of cola and a bottle of rum. For those of you that knew Joe, you will know that this combination was famously called the Joe cola. Now I was not particularly interested in either of those drinks, but after he sang a one-take vocal performance, Joe insisted that we celebrate with a Joe cola. I can tell you unequivocally, that was the end of the recording session.”
Other Inductees at the Ceremony
- Bad Company
- Chubby Checker
- Cyndi Lauper
- Outkast
- Soundgarden
- The White Stripes
Each were inducted in the performer category during the same ceremony.
Summary: Bryan Adams expressed deep admiration for Joe Cocker's influence on his career while inducting him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sharing inspiring memories and a humorous recording session story.