Born in Victoria, Adams left school before completing his secondary education, and began a career in advertising. He left the advertising industry in the 1980s, and, in the late 1980s, began work as a commercial radio broadcaster, with Sydney station 2UE. He has subsequently moved to the ABC's Radio National. He has hosted the popular news and analysis program, Late Night Live, for more than 25 years.
Adams also played an important role in 1970s' revival of the Australian film industry: with Barry Jones, he was a motivating force behind the establishment of the Australian Film Television and Radio School, and he played a key role in the establishment of the South Australian Film Corporation and the Australian Film Development Corporation (later the Australian Film Commission).
Adams writes regular columns for the Age and the Bulletin, as well as a twice-weekly piece for the Australian.