Ostthueringer Zeitung - December, 14 2001
by Ilona Berger translation by Astrid Nolde-GallaschI Think I Shrank
Conversation with Chris de Burgh - The singer will be on tour in Germany next year. He was one of the stars of the "Nokia Night Of The Proms" in the Erfurt Messehalle: Chris de Burgh. The audience lay at his feet. After the appearance we met the master of ballads. Next year the 53 year old will go on tour in Germany. Your audience always wants to hear your old songs like "Lady In Red". Do you still enjoy to sing them? Of course. When the people like it, I like it too. Can you remember your first song? No, because until today I have written over 160. Do you sing at home with your children? I play the piano and sing my new songs to them. And they like most of them. You often write during a tour. Are you inspired by the towns or is it the atmosphere? I have most songs ready before a tour. To work on a song is like a painting. You have an idea, but you need to put a lot of work into it. That is what I am doing at the moment. You work a lot with young musicians. What do you think of retort bands? Oh, you mean the popstars? Yes. The first opinion is the one of a professional musician. To put people into a band just because they are looking good, but hardly anyone has talent, is terrible. It's bad for the music, but good for the management and the record industry. Young people are stars for a short time. When the praise is over, they fall into a deep hole. And the other side? Talents can prove themselves at popstars. Among 10000 candidates there are a couple of good singers who can be discovered and get their chance. It's supposed to be haunting in your castle. Is that true? Many people have once had an experience with something extraordinary, me too. I haven't actually met the ghost yet. But I am certain that it is haunting in my castle. As a castle owner you lead an ordinary life. Hold on. I have been growing up in a castle. But I don't live there anymore. Only my mother is a castle owner. But she is now very lonely. My father died in March. What does a normal Chris-de-Burgh-day look like? I get up by 7, and take my three kids to school. Back at home, I eat a little for breakfast. Then my wife and I go for a walk. The rest of the day I spend with music or the telephone. Many of your colleagues are constantly in the yellow press. Not you. What's your difference? I lead just a normal quiet life, that isn't so important for the press. What's the difference between the Chris de Burgh of today and the one 20 years ago? I think I shrank. But I have the same dreams, the same fears, the same inspirations. My desire is just to be as good as possible. How do you spend Christmas? With my family and friends. Christmas is an enchanting time, especially for little children and for big ones like me. It is wonderful when two- or three year olds look stunned with big eyes at the Christmas tree.