Keith Scott
Photo by Mike Blake
Keith Scott has long been Bryan Adams’ right-hand man, supporting him on countless albums and tours with his tasteful, rock-solid guitar work. Instead of relying on flashy shred or outlandish tricks, his playing is all about crafting melodies that lock in perfectly with Bryan’s vocals, drawing on a refined right-hand touch that brings out dynamic, expressive tones, and delivering thick, authoritative rhythm parts that feel like the blueprint for what rock guitar should be.
On Bryan’s new album ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES, Bryan himself handles many of the instruments, guitars included, but Keith steps in on four tracks (the booklet credits him as “LEAD GUITAR” on three songs and “GUITAR” on one). His contributions inject that unmistakable “Bryan Adams band” character fans love, while adding an extra dose of drive and excitement.
We spoke with Keith Scott about his new album ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES.
Interview / Text Mamoru Moriyama
Translation Hiroshi Takakura
Muse On Muse : “On Roll With The Punches”, just like his previous albums, Bryan handled most of the instruments himself rather than recording as a full band, bringing in other players only when needed. How do you feel about that approach?
Keith Scott : I think whatever Bryan decides with his music is up to him. With or without other musicians. The process isn’t as important as the end result. If he’s happy with the end result then that’s enough.
MM : It’s been over 40 years since those energetic, live-feel rock albums like “Cuts Like a Knife” and “Reckless” came out in the ’80s. From then to Roll With The Punches in 2025, what changes have you noticed in how albums are made and recorded?
KS : In that era that’s how a lot of popular music was produced Mostly live musicians in a room. With technology , a lot of how music is created and produced has changed. With the onset of artificial intelligence, again the recording process stands to be altered , is it was with digital technology and computers to record into , 30 years ago.
MM : You play guitar on four of the ten tracks this time. When Bryan asked you to play on those songs, what kind of direction did he give you for your parts?
KS : I think for the most part , he doesn’t say much except , what would you play on this? Then he lets me try things. They either work or don’t. But mostly because he can maybe hear me on the song and perhaps add to it.
MM : The album was produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange. Did he give you any specific input regarding the guitar play or sound?
KS : He in fact did a little input. Specifically on the track “ can we ever be friends again”. He basically sang the parts to me via a zoom call. Since he was in Switzerland where he lives and Bryan and I were in warehouse studio in Vancouver.
MM : The lead single and first video released, “Roll With The Punches,” has a strong, driving energy—and your lead guitar in the latter half of the song bursts with pure rock spirit.
KS : That song had many initial versions. the end result became more energetic with the double time outro.. that was Bryan’s idea. I thought a “guns and roses” kind of energy would be fun. So it became like that a bit.
MM : “Make Up Your Mind” has a bright, refreshing feel and an upbeat tempo. Your guitar adds tasteful obbligato lines that beautifully enhance the atmosphere of the song.
KS : Again Bryan thought it needed something to add energy. I just plugged in a Stratocaster and played along. Thinking along “the Who” lines.. like “going mobile “.
MM : On three of the four tracks you played on, you’re credited as Lead Guitar, but on “Be The Reason,” you’re listed simply as Guitar, along with Bryan. How did you and Bryan divide up the guitar parts on that song?
KS : I think he was looking for some reinforcing the guitar hook melodies. The arrangement was there.. again adding some energy.
Photo by Mike Blake
MM : Bryan often plays guitar both in the studio and on stage. When you and he play rhythm guitar together, how do you split the roles—for example, one focusing on arpeggios and the other on power chords, or using different guitars like a Strat and a Les Paul?
KS : I try to stick to different registers and think more about lines than rythmn. Bryan is such a strong rythmn player and very melodic. But when he sings he can only try to accompany his singing. I try to work around that and enhance when I can.
MM : The closing track, “Will We Ever Be Friends Again,” is beautifully understated, and your sparse but emotional guitar lines really leave an impression. Please tell us about this song.
KS : Maybe my favorite song on this record, though it feels like a throwback to 1980s rock ballads , it’s still very much a Mutt Lange type sentiment and feeling to me. The song was very simple at first then more bits got added. In the end the soloing parts were mostly orchestrated by Mutt. He knew what he wanted to hear. It was really fun to track that and I’m very proud of what went down. What you hope for as a soloist.
MM : Can you tell us about how the recording sessions went for the four tracks you played on? We’d love to hear the details.
KS : Well the parts I contributed were different sessions at Bryan’s studio in Vancouver, Canada since 2023. So a couple of songs on one session. And another was on another session. We were touring a lot then and had to find days to work on that.
MM : What guitars, amps, and pedals did you use on this album?
KS : I am sure I used Bryan’s 1964 candy apple red Fender Stratocaster on everything except the outro for the title track, “Roll with the Punches”. That was his 1960 Gibson Les Paul Sunburst. The amps were usually a 20 watt Marshall combo amp from the late 1960s with 2 12 inch Celestion speakers. And a late 1950s Fender tweed Harvard amp. With occasionally, Bryan’s 100 plexy Marshall 100 amp head , plugged into a vintage 4 by 12 Marshall cabinet.
And a DI , so we could add modeling or effects easily .. all amps mic’ed with a sennheiser 421 and a Shute sm 57. Sometimes a Royer ribbon Mic.
MM : I remember hearing that your surf-music project, The Fontanas, had a second album nearly finished. How’s that coming along?
KS : Yes, we actually completed the 2nd Fontanas cd and also I produced a Xmas cd too under the same name.
Both were released last year in 2024.
MM : Bryan Adams will be touring Japan in January 2026. Could you share a message for the fans who are looking forward to the shows?
KS : Of course! we have toured in Japan since 1983 and look forward to greeting our dear friends there again to share our music with. We have always been ever grateful for the fan support in Japan since then! See you in the New Year!
