Ryan Adams and Bryan Adams are both successful musicians who share the same last name and the same birthday, but are they related? The short answer is no, they are not. The long answer is a bit more complicated, involving a history of confusion, conflict, and eventually, camaraderie.
The Name Game
Ryan Adams was born David Ryan Adams on November 5, 1974, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He is an American singer-songwriter who has released 24 studio albums and three as a former member of the alt-country band Whiskeytown. He is known for his eclectic musical style, ranging from rock to folk to country to metal. Some of his most popular songs include “New York, New York”, “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You”, and “Come Pick Me Up”.
Bryan Adams was born Bryan Guy Adams on November 5, 1959, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, photographer, and social activist who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. He is one of the most successful Canadian artists of all time, with six Grammy nominations and 15 Juno Awards. Some of his most popular songs include “Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”, and “Everything I Do (I Do It for You)”.
The Mix-Up
Despite the obvious differences in their age, nationality, and musical genres, Ryan Adams and Bryan Adams have often been mistaken for each other by fans and the media. This has caused some annoyance and frustration for both artists, especially for Ryan Adams, who has had to deal with constant requests for Bryan Adams’ songs at his concerts.
In 2002, Ryan Adams famously kicked out a fan from his show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for shouting “Summer of ’69” repeatedly. He later said that he was not angry at the fan, but at the venue’s security for not handling the situation. He also said that he had to go into therapy because of the constant heckling he faced from Bryan Adams fans.
In 2006, Ryan Adams told Spin magazine that he had nothing against Bryan Adams personally, but that he hated his music. He said that he felt like he was living in a shadow of someone else’s career. He also said that he had never met Bryan Adams, but that he would punch him in the face if he did.
The Bromance
However, things changed in 2014, when Ryan Adams decided to embrace the Bryan Adams comparisons and cover some of his songs. He performed “Run to You” at a show in Santa Barbara and “Summer of ’69” at a show in Nashville, both to the delight of his fans. He also revealed that he had been emailing Bryan Adams every year on their shared birthday since 2008.
Bryan Adams responded positively to Ryan Adams’ gestures, tweeting his appreciation and support. He also said that he had never met Ryan Adams, but that he would hug him if he did.
Since then, Ryan Adams and Bryan Adams have developed a friendly relationship based on mutual respect and admiration. They have exchanged compliments and jokes on social media, and even collaborated on a song called “What If There Were No Sides At All” in 2023. The song is an anti-war peace anthem that urges people to see beyond their differences and find common ground.
Ryan Adams has also expressed his gratitude and admiration for Bryan Adams as a mentor and a role model. He said that Bryan Adams showed him kindness when he was not at his best, and taught him how to be a better person and artist.
The Conclusion
So, is Ryan Adams related to Bryan Adams? No, they are not. But they are more than just musical namesakes. They are friends who share a bond over their music, their birthday, and their sense of humor. They are proof that sometimes, you can find your family in unexpected places.
