Bryan Adams Honors Joe Cocker at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In November 2025, Bryan Adams inducted the legendary Joe Cocker into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, delivering a heartfelt tribute on Saturday night.
Tribute to a Musical Hero
Adams began by sharing his amazement upon first watching Cocker’s 1971 concert film Mad Dogs & Englishmen. He recalled,
"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."
Collaborative Moments
Adams also reminisced about working with Cocker on his final Top 40 hit, 1989’s When the Night Comes, noting a humorous studio anecdote:
"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
These artists were also inducted into the performer category during the same ceremony.
Author’s Summary: Bryan Adams passionately celebrated Joe Cocker’s influence and legacy while inducting him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, highlighting both musical inspiration and memorable moments from their collaboration.