For over sixty years, Chris adamson has been a pivotal figure in the music industry, collaborating with legendary acts such as pink floyd, Fleetwood mac, Steely Dan, and Guns N’ Roses. His journey has seen him evolve from a humble roadie to a prominent tour-production manager, navigating the exhilarating yet challenging world of live music.
Adamson’s adventure began at the tender age of 17, when he drove his local band, the rats, around Hull, England. Among the band members was a young guitarist named mick Ronson. This early experience set the stage for a career that would intertwine with rock legends like Peter Green, Roger McGuinn, and even Frank Sinatra.
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Despite being at an age when many consider retirement, adamson’s enthusiasm for the music scene is unwavering. “I just wrapped up some shows with Guns N’ Roses and am currently on tour with Bruno Mars,” he shared with Guitar Player. “In September, I’ll be working with Iron Maiden, followed by AC/DC.”
Mick Ronson: The Early Days
“Mick was the first artist I worked with at 17. We were in a band called the Rats, and Mick played guitar. It was a four-piece setup: drums, bass, guitar, and vocals. Back then, we played small venues and pubs, and as no one in the band had a van, I bought one to transport us.I was quite the asset![[[[laughs]
“We ofen covered Jeff Beck songs, especially ‘Beck’s Bolero.’ Mick idolized Jeff Beck and exclusively played Fender Stratocasters. He had two of them, and during our time together, he didn’t own a Les paul.”
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“Years later, I returned to Hull to visit my mom and caught up with John Cambridge, the Rats’ drummer. To my surprise, Mick was there, along with a couple who were trying to figure out if they had enough money for cigarettes-David and Angie Bowie! Mick was a true talent who left us too soon. Sadly, many from our band succumbed to cancer, likely due to heavy smoking, and Mick was the first to go.”
Peter Green: A Guitar Legend
“In my opinion, Peter was the greatest guitarist of all time. He had an extraordinary ability to make a guitar sing, and he was genuinely a kind person,” Adamson reflects.
“We were performing in Munich at Circus Krone-Bau and had a day off before heading to Vienna.Peter visited a commune that was unlike the typical hippie scene; it was filled with businessmen. Unfortunately,he was given a bad dose of acid there,which changed him forever.It severely impacted his mental health.”
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“After that incident, he returned with a tape filled with incoherent sounds and a strange woman he had just met. His performances became erratic; some nights he was entirely fine, while on others, he would continue playing long after the band had finished. The acid had a profound effect on him,” Adamson recalls.
“Eventually, after leaving the band, his family had to intervene as he was giving away his royalties. He struggled significantly, even growing his fingernails long and working as a gravedigger for a time in Wimbledon.”
Roger McGuinn: The Byrds Era
“Roger was a fantastic musician and a genuinely nice person. I worked with him for a couple of years during his time with the Byrds. We had a modest setup with a 12-foot truck for our gear, and everything was quite low-key. he hadn’t yet reached the heights of stadium tours,” Adamson reminisces.
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“Roger played with a simple setup: a 12-string Rickenbacker directly into a Fender Twin amp, using a compressor. Back then, guitarists didn’t have the extensive pedalboards that are common today; it was all about the sound you could create with just a few instruments,” Adamson explains.
“Clarence White, another guitarist in the band, had a premonition about alcohol leading to his demise. Tragically, he was killed by a drunk driver while loading his guitars into his car.”
Frank Sinatra: the Chairman
“In the 1990s, Frank was contemplating retirement and needed someone to manage his production for shows in England. He performed four concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and four at the Festival Hall,” Adamson recalls.
“It was an incredible experience. One of Frank’s management team entrusted me with two of his gold SM-58 microphones, engraved with his name. I was so protective of them that I kept them under my pillow at night, fearing they might get lost or stolen!”
“One night, I received a stern talking-to from his team becuase his microphone cable had gotten dirty. Frank was meticulous about his equipment, and we had to ensure his dressing room met his exacting standards.”
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“Later,when my uncle’s health was declining,I wanted to take him to the Breeders’ Cup horse race in Chicago. Before that, I visited my assistant, who had just married, and her father was there with Frank. I struck up a conversation with Frank and mentioned my plans for Chicago. He replied, ‘I’ll be there too.’”
“A few days later, I called him, and he invited me to his hotel. I told my uncle we were going to a hotel known for its great breakfast, but when we arrived, I had to reveal who we were meeting. Frank spent over two hours with us, and that’s when I discovered the real Frank Sinatra-far removed from the gangster image often portrayed. He was genuinely caring and compassionate.”
