Tonight (January 5th) on the world famous Classic Album at Midnight on Radio Nova we’re playing Bryan Adams’ Reckless.
The album is presented in full with no commercials or interruptions.
Having played in various bands while still a teen, Bryan Adams released his self-titled debut album in 1980 at the tender age of 20. Along with its follow-up, 1981’s You Want It You Got It, Adams’ debut failed to make much impact on the charts. It was 1983’s Cuts Like a Knife that gave Adams his first success, peaking at number eight on the US Billboard album chart.
Following an extensive tour opening for Journey, Adams began work on his fourth album, Reckless. Recording began at New York’s Power Station in June 1983 as Adams recorded the track Heaven. Initially the song was recorded for the soundtrack of the movie A Night in Heaven, and was later added to Reckless.
Adams then embarked on a tour to promote Cuts Like a Knife before returning to the studio in March 1984 to begin work on the bulk of Reckless. This time he opted for Vancouver’s Little Mountain Sound Studios. After struggling with the recording process, Adams left for a month and returned refreshed in August.
For his fourth album, Adams established himself as one of the prime rock balladeers of the era, mixing power-ballads like Heaven with rockers like Summer of ’69 and New Wave influenced tracks like Run to You. It’s Only Love sees Adams duet with Tina Turner.
In its original release, reckless features 10 tracks: One Night Love Affair; She’s Only happy When She’s Dancin’; Run to You; Heaven; Somebody; Summer of ’69; Kids Wanna Rock; It’s Only Love; Long Gone; and Ain’t Gonna Cry.
Released on November 5th, 1984, Reckless initially reached number six on the US Billboard chart in January 1985 before leaving the Top 10. In the summer of 1985 the album began a resurgence up the charts, finally taking the top spot in August. It had a similar journey in Adams’ native Canada, where it ultimately became the first Canadian album to sell over a million copies.
Six singles were released from Reckless, with Run to You topping the US chart, Summer of ’69 and Heaven breaking the Top 10, and Somebody, One Night Love Affair and It’s Only Love charting on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s Only Love received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance.
Adams’ most successful album, Reckless has sold over 12 million copies to date. Kerrang! magazine voted it the Album of the Year for 1985 and ranked it at number 16 on a list of the greatest AOR albums of all time.
You can have a night in heaven tonight at midnight on Radio Nova.
