B.C.’s greatest pop-rock export, Bryan Adams, returns to Kamloops Sunday for the first time in nine years, this time as a dad on Father’s Day.

Adams and his band perform at Interior Savings Centre, taking the stage at 8 p.m. without an opening act.

Evidently, the 53-year-old artist who hails from North Vancouver is still a big draw almost 30 years after the release of his breakthrough album, Cuts Like a Knife. Tickets for Sunday’s all-ages show, Adams’ third in Western Canada after Victoria and Vancouver, sold out in near-record time when they went on sale in February.

“Literally, 20 minutes,” said talent agent Bill Jaswal. “The response was huge.”

With the arena arrangements taking shape, Jaswal said he’ll release additional tickets on Sunday. Last-minute hopefuls can check with the ISC box office for those. Tickets are also sold through Ticketmaster and Rogers Wireless Box Office.

The performer’s initial Canadian tour concerts back East impressed critics and drew big crowds.

Although the rock star has seldom given media interviews over the years, he’s always had a reputation for showmanship with crowd-pleasing performances delivering his many hits. He has 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations and 15 Grammys to his credit.

An accomplished photographer, he’s also been named a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of B.C. for contributions to popular music and charity work by his own foundation, which works to improve education internationally.

Adams and his girlfriend, Alicia Grimaldi, had their first child, Mirabella Bunny, on Easter Friday 2011.

Jaswal recommends that concert-goers park away from the ISC and walk to the concert to avoid possible congestion relating to Lorne Street improvements.