Watch: Bryan Adams Delivers Moving Tribute to Joe Cocker at Rock Hall Induction Ceremony
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Bryan Adams Honors His Hero
Bryan Adams paid heartfelt tribute to his musical hero Joe Cocker while inducting the late singer into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
The “Summer of ’69” hitmaker began his speech by recalling the first time he saw Cocker perform in the 1971 concert film Mad Dogs & Englishmen. “I couldn’t work it out. How could anyone sing like that? And his stage presence was amazing to watch,” Adams said. “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 spoke warmly about the impact Cocker had on him as a performer and how his raw emotion and unique voice changed the way he viewed live music.
A Personal Story From the Studio
Adams also shared a lighthearted memory from working with Cocker on his 1989 hit “When the Night Comes,” which became the singer’s final Top 40 success. “I also made the fatal mistake of once trying to drink with Joe,” Adams joked. “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.”
His story drew laughs from the crowd, showing how deeply Adams admired Cocker’s larger-than-life spirit both on and off stage.
Other 2025 Inductees
This year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also honored several major artists in the Performer category, including Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes.
Warren Zevon and Salt-N-Pepa were recognized in the Music Influence category, while Carole Kaye, Thom Bell, and Nicky Hopkins received awards for Musical Excellence.
How to Watch the Ceremony
The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony streamed live on Disney+ on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST. ABC will air a special featuring highlights and exclusive performances on Jan. 1, with streaming available on Hulu the next day.
