The Iconic Drumming Behind “Summer Of '69” | Bryan Adams Song Breakdown

Join Pat Steward as he takes us through the journey of crafting the rhythmic backbone of this rock classic. Dive into the essence of "Summer of '69" as Pat dissects the key drumming elements, from the signature bass drum patterns to the verse grooves

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Chapters

00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Verse
01:35 - Pre-Chorus
02:30 - Bridge
03:16 - Breakdown
04:03 - Full Performance
09:10 - Outro
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[punkywozza]

Can we just have a moment to thank the sound engineer for this. Great sound on on that brass snare... Beautiful sound

[bricago]

Pat, in 1985 my friend and I were in middle school, and we came to see the Reckless concert in Terre Haute, Indiana. Before the show we ran into you and Bryan in the mall at a store called The Record Bar. Bryan was buying his opening act’s record (can’t remember the name). You were eight feet tall with spiky hair and introduced yourself as Bryan’s drummer and bodyguard. 😁 You guys talked to us and we still talk about it to this day. Thank you for taking the time to make a couple of eleven year-olds feel like rock stars and lifelong fans. ❤️🥁🎸

[spoooky_matt]

Such a simple drum part, but so effective and thunderous! The sheer amount of sound being produced by Pat here is astonishing.

[bensay]

5:48 that fill was so effortlessly cool. What a great drummer.

[joe]

Just proves you don't have to overplay to be great. Perfect beat and playing for the song always trumps showing off. ❤

[mlowder]

I've played this song about a million times in various cover bands throughout the years, everyone always goes crazy for it. Nice to see this breakdown from the source!!! So great.

[DukeFan]

As an 80s music fanatic, this was always one of my Top 10 songs, precisely because of the drums. I was never a drummer myself...but I airdrummed the HELL out of this song every time I heard it...and I still do, 40 years later! So awesome to hear how they came up with the different parts. The breakdown after the 2nd chorus was my favorite part, especially the pairs of bass drum hits...awesome, awesome song!

[mathumphreys]

Wow, such an iconic song from my teen years. It's so great to hear the actual people who did the recording tell us what was going on back then.

[robertbordevik]

It’s incredible how this song have gotten stuck into people’s hearts and souls. It’s part of the structure and fabric of the universe now, at least in musical terms. You are SO lucky if you get to channel a song like this through you! So many millions of people have a memory connected to this song. And me, known it since back in the day, and STILL crank it up when it hits the radio in the car 😎

[cannonball]

So glad you brought Pat on. Very underrated drummer. He’s such a solid time keeper.

[peterlemon]

Had the pleasure of working with Pat on a few projects. I can say his energy behind the kit is unparalleled. Standing beside him I would wince every time he hit the snare. The guy can hit!

[batwithglasses]

Each and everytime I play this live, I'm instantly transformed back to sitting on the floor and watching that video on Much Music in 1985 on our 20" RCA TV.

[fizzyfozbuzz]

Look how relaxed he plays. Even after all those years look how happy he is playing the song. Nice simple fills that hit you straight in the face, massive impact and drive to the song.

[barryhetherington]

LOVE Pat Steward’s drumming on the single ONE NIGHT LOVE AFFAIR!

[KellyPettit]

Pat is the best drummer ever who also is kind and true blue Canadian. Love this guy.

[RadicalValkyrie]

This song is never NOT on the radio...for YEARS.

[electricurinal]

One of the best sounding recordings of the analog era. Excellent drum sounds.

[RichardvanLiessum]

Imagine playing this song for many years, yet still enjoying it with passion and fun. It has an awesome sound and power, truly hitting hard!

[adamstanleydrummer]

That snare sound! And I always love the fill coming out of the breakdown.

[markmcdonnell]

This old boy at the end of the song is fucking straight smashing the living balls out of the drums. Love it. So many feels