Bryan Adams Honors Joe Cocker at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In November 2025, Bryan Adams inducted Joe Cocker into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, delivering a heartfelt tribute to the legendary singer. Adams opened his speech recalling the profound impact Cocker’s 1971 concert film Mad Dogs & Englishmen 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."
Adams, known for writing "Summer of '69," also collaborated with Cocker, co-writing and playing guitar on Cocker’s last Top 40 hit, "When the Night Comes" in 1989.
"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."
The 2025 Rock Hall induction ceremony also welcomed Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, and the White Stripes into the performer category.
Author's summary: Bryan Adams celebrated Joe Cocker's remarkable influence and shared personal stories while inducting him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.