Bryan Adams Sings Joe Cocker's Praises at Rock Hall Induction

In November 2025, Bryan Adams honored Joe Cocker during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, calling him a personal hero and a true legend of rock music.

A Tribute to a Lifelong Influence

Adams recalled his first encounter with Cocker’s performance in the 1971 film Mad Dogs & Englishmen, describing the profound effect it had on him.

"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."

Memories from the Studio

Adams, who co-wrote and played guitar on Cocker’s final Top 40 hit, When the Night Comes (1989), shared a humorous memory 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

Bad Company
Chubby Checker
Cyndi Lauper
Outkast
Soundgarden
The White Stripes

Author's Summary

Bryan Adams celebrated Joe Cocker’s induction into the Rock Hall with heartfelt words, recalling both the inspiration of his music and unforgettable moments they shared.

Ultimate Classic Rock — 2025-11-09