On today’s date in 1991, Bryan Adams’ single (Everything I Do) I Do It for You topped the Canadian Singles Chart.
It would be a big year for Adams, whose single was also ranked No. 1 by Billboard that year. It was featured on two albums upon its release – the soundtrack from the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and on Adams’ sixth studio album Waking Up the Neighbours – and became a No. 1 hit on many charts, selling more than 15 million copies worldwide.
A wild success for the Canadian rocker’s career, the song ranks among the best-selling singles of all time.
In 2009, Canada Post featured Adams on a 54-cent multi-coloured stamp (Scott #2334) as part of its “Canadian Recording Artists” issue. Printed by the Lowe-Martin Group on Tullis Russell coated paper using nine-colour lithography and varnish, the stamp has general tagging along each side. Measuring 32 millimetres by 32 millimetres, the stamps were issued in booklets of eight stamps and souvenir sheets of four stamps.
An official first-day cover was also serviced with a Paquetville, N.B., cancellation.
The issue is available in four-stamp booklet panes (shown) also featuring Édith Butler, Stompin’ Tom Connors and Robert Charlebois.
CANADIAN LEGEND
Adams has been one of Canada’s most highly acclaimed musicians since launching his career more than three decades ago. He achieved No. 1 status in more than 40 countries and recorded many chart-topping singles.
He’s also an accomplished photographer and uses the proceeds of his photographic projects to finance his namesake foundation.
In 2002, Adams was invited to photograph Queen Elizabeth II during her Golden Jubilee. One of his photographs was used on a stamp issued by Canada Post in 2004 and 2005, and another portrait of both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip is now in the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Adams’ photograph of Queen Elizabeth II is featured on a 2004 stamp.
Awards and accolades to Adams’ name include Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, a Grammy Award and many American Music Awards and Juno Awards. He has also been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame.
The 2009 issue with Adams also features Stompin’ Tom Connors (SC #2334b), Édith Butler (SC #2334c) and Robert Charlebois (SC #2334d). The stamps were issued in four different four-stamp booklet panes, each of which shows a different artist in the top-left corner.
“It is a wonderful honour to be amongst the great men and women who have graced our Canadian stamps,” said Adams, of the postal tribute. “I am humbled by the recognition.”