074 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
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THE PEOPLE’S TENOR COMES TO TONBRIDGE
While Russell Watson may just have turned 50, there’s little trace of the world-weariness you might expect from having spent nearly two decades on the road – and now he’s heading to Tonbridge
Neill Barston A
fter notching up 10 studio albums including his latest, True Stories, it seems that Russell Watson still possesses plenty
of drive to continue recording and performing. The ‘People’s Tenor’ as he has become known, has seemingly done it all – performing for the Pope, two US presidents, the Emperor of Japan, as well as for his enduring fanbase across the globe.
Having achieved sustained success with his distinctive brand of classical crossover, his career has proved particularly impressive given the life-threatening brain tumour that he suffered just over a decade ago, which required considerable determination and renewed rounds of intensive treatment to overcome.
Though his much-documented
road to recovery represented perhaps the greatest personal test, Russell has not opted to take the easy route and step back from the music world. “I guess 50 is quite a milestone, but I am just happy to be here as I love what I do. I’ve always maintained that if I found something that I love doing then it wouldn’t feel like work, and I’ve been very fortunate,” enthused the singer with a wry laugh. For his latest album, Russell returned to Rome for a second visit to movie composer Ennio Morricone’s recording studios, with a supergroup in tow that included musicians who have graced the ranks of Radiohead, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, plus a full 75-piece Italian orchestra for good measure.
“That was such a great place to record – with that group of musicians and the orchestra that had that little Italian lilt to it, that was really special, and it was the second time I’d been over there,” recalled Russell. Back home, life appears to be pretty settled for the Cheshire-based singer, having married his second wife Louise, he has two daughters who’ve taken a keen interest in their father’s career, though have yet to follow directly in his footsteps. “It’s a family business these days – one of my daughters works for me, my sister is my business manager, and my wife, she just tells me what to do,” quips Russell. As for his visit to Kent,
he says it’s going to be another welcome return to the county, having played the Garden of England a number of times. “I’ve seen pictures of the castle there at Tonbridge and it looks like an amazing setting. I’ve played at the Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells several times before, but this is going to be an outdoor show that will be incredible if the weather is right, but it will still be great if not, so just bring your umbrella! There will be a Best of British theme with Swing Low Sweet Chariot, so I think there will be a really good vibe for it.” • Russell Watson plays Tonbridge Castle on 9th July. Tickets are priced from £45-£60. For more information, or to book, visit the website
www.ryejazz.com
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