25/11/99 - EXHIBITION CENTRE, ABERDEEN

Review by the Aberdeen Press:
Bryan Adams became a true hero last night as he conquered Aberdeen. More than 6,000 fans from throughout the North East swarmed into the city and packed the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre to the rafters. It was the Canadian singer's third, but clearly his most explosive, visit to the Granite City. Backed by guitarist Keith Scott and drummer Mickey
Curry, Adams plugged away on the bass as he ran through a string of monster hits. It's Only Love and Eighteen Till I Die raised the roof and the bandhardly had to play at all when the audience ran away with the words to Sumer of '69. Guitarist Keith raised a cheer when he revealed his ancestors came from Inverness and Orkney, but it was Adams who captured the hearts even though he admittedhis strongest link with Scotland was little more than watching the football team play England. Adams was in fine voice throughout the evening and content to play the bass, leaving the souring guitar solos to Scott. The tempo slowed only for a song Adams revealed had created quite a bit of interest in the UK and even Aberdeen, he added. Everything I Do, the soundtrack to the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, topped the British singles charts for a record 17 ( oops ! ) weeks in 1991. Not bad for a song which took only an hour to write.

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Review by Lyn Johnstone:
Rocker lets local stars sparkle

Would-be Granite City rock stars were under the spotlight last night when they appeared with hit artist Bryan Adams. Gerry Jablonski, a regular singer on the city's pub circuit, found himself facing a larger-than-usual audience when he was drafted in as warm-up for legendary rocker Adams. Gerry grabbed his opportunity when it was revealed, just hours before the gig, that the lead singer of support band Big Country had mysteriously gone missing.

Scots-born Stuart Adamson, who now lives in Nashville, USA, was meant to support Bryan Adams on the Scottish leg of his European tour — but failed to turn up. His band today confirmed Adamson had been found.

Aberdeen University student Natalie Kirk was plucked from the cheering crowd to join Bryan on stage for his duet, "When You're Gone." The song was a recent chart hit for the Canadian star and Spice Girl Mel C. The fourth-year language student confidently stepped into Sporty Spice's trainers and brought the biggest cheer from the gobsmacked crowd. Natalie, originally from Perth, stunned the packed arena with her impromptu, word perfect performance. The 21-year-old, who lives in Aberdeen's Bedford Place, said: "It was my dream come true. "It was brilliant, I can't believe I have achieved my lifelong ambition." Natalie, who sings in her own band, Perpetual Motion, was pushed up on stage by her university pals. She said: "I have always told my friends back home that one day I would sing with Bryan Adams." Natalie left the AECC clutching a video keepsake of her performance.

Rock fans from across the North-east had flocked to see the groover from Vancouver's third concert appearance in the city. He treated the 6,200-strong crowd at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre to a cracking selection of his hits.

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Review by Aberdeen Press:
Natalie's Dream Duet

A dream came true for Aberdeen University student Natalie Kirk last night when she was plucked from the audience to sing alongside rock legend Bryan Adams. Halfway through the show at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Adams asked "Can anybody sing?" Hundreds of people waved their arms enthusiastically but 21-year-old Natalie was hauled out of the crowd to perform a duet with the Canadian singer.

Natalie, who is studying French and German at the university, joined Adams in a version of When You're Gone – which the star originally recorded with Spice Girl member Mel C. After the five-minute performance, Natalie said: "It's a dream come true for me. "I kept saying to my boyfriend that before I die I'm going to sing with Bryan Adams. "He never believed me and I don't think I can yet believe that it has actually happened." Natalie, who comes from Perth but lives in Bedford Place, Aberdeen, has been a lifelong fan of Bryan Adams. She said: "My dad used to play his CDs all the time and I got to know all the songs and the words. I'm a huge fan, I think he's fantastic."

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Review by Aberdeen Press:
THE GROOVER from Vancouver raised the roof last night when he hit the right note in front of a packed house in Aberdeen. Canadian rock star Bryan Adams gave a memorable performance of a string of hits that have entertained a generation and more. The crowd were treated to songs from his early albums right through to his latest chart hit. The 6,200 strong crowd drowned the singer out the instant they heard the strum of his classic Summer of '69.

The singer was able to put his feet up as his fans warbled the words of the well known anthem. A pair of big screens on either side of the stage gave various front row fans their moment of glory as a TV camera swooped down on their faces. The mood swung from sweaty rock to smouldering love as Bryan wound his way through the hits. But the night was a definite winner when the 16 week wonder, 'Everything I Do I Do It For You' was heard straight from the horse's mouth.

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