Thirty years ago, singing hopeful Bryan Adams set out from his native Canada to carve out a career for himself in the music business. Fast-forward to the present day, and the 51-year-old has seen success on a global scale with record sales reaching tens of millions.
On Monday, that achievement was officially recognised when the Grammy-winning rocker became the 2435th person to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Despite an unseasonal down-pour in LA, Bryan, 51, was clearly overjoyed and humbled to receive the honour on the world-famous walkway. "I remember being in Hollywood at the age of 16 and marvelling at the stars," he said. "The idea of being on it never entered my mind. It was too far-fetched.""Today I am humbled at the induction of my name. It's fantastic. "And, according to Bryan's friend, fellow countryman and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, it was entirely appropriate that the musician receive his star in somewhat inclement weather. "This is typical. I've been to an outdoor concert of Bryan's where it was pouring rain and watched him perform his magic," he said, before describing the Summer of 69 singer as "a very humble Canadian".
While Monday's ceremony was all about Bryan's achievements in the musical sphere, it is his love life that has been dominating headlines recently.The (Everything I Do) I Do It For You star surprised fans last week when he announced that he was expecting his first baby in May with his personal assistant Alicia Grimaldi.
He confirmed in a statement that he is welcoming a baby with the 31-year-old Cambridge graduate, now said to be sharing his London home.She met the singer in 2004 when she helped him set up the Bryan Adams Foundation.Alicia's father, retired surgeon and Marquis Peter Martin Beaufort Grimaldi, has welcomed the news – her mother is titled Marquesa Grimaldi and, according to the Daily Mail, she and her sisters Carina and Sophia are all listed in Burke's Peerage. "It will be our first grandchild and of course we are delighted for Alicia and Bryan," said Mr Grimaldi, who is also the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight. "I have met Bryan, many, many times. He obviously has a huge fan club, me included. They are both very excited."