Süddeutsche Zeitung - April 7, 2011


by Matthias Kolb

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch


With Ladies in Red


"A special place" - Chris de Burgh recovers after his concert in the velvet bar Roy

Chris de Burgh is everywhere in this evening. He smiles from the gold-framed picture next to the bar, he cheers to the visitors with a 
glass of champagne, and at a table in the corner he presents the cover of his new album. Only few people can be seen so often in 
the picture gallery of the Roy like the Irish singer who has been coming here since more than 30 years, in the plushy puffy velvet bar 
Roy at the Sendlinger Tor. After each of his concerts the evening ends here, also on Wednesday in the Olympiahalle.

"It is a special place here", says the 62 year old tear jerking bard with the soft voice and points to the opulent easter decoration at 
the ceiling. This is mostly because of his close friend Roy Dubowy, who owned the bar until 1998 and even is the godfather of his 
daughter Rosanna. Both report proudly that she became Miss World in 2003. Actually Dubowy only looks after wine and olive oil in 
Italy at the moment, but of course he comes to Munich for "world star Chris" and receives him side by side with his successor 
Günther Grauer with a buffet.

The times are over when guests like de Burgh, Tina Turner and Michael Jackson were welcomed here with handpainted posters. 
"Welcome to Roy" is written on a blackboard at the wall and on a huge cake that has been decorated with guitars. The guest of 
honour, who smiles when he cuts the first piece of the dessert, doesn't care. Neither do the 50 fans who secured the VIP package: 
Ticket, bus shuttle and after-show-party.

Dubowy canalises the hustle in a routined way, the picture and autograph wishes of the ladies who are mostly dressed in red. So 
there is still enough time to rave about Munich, routined as well: "I like the people here", says de Burgh, "the fans are always very 
affectionate". The love affair is going strong since 30 years. "I will not end it." Oh well. He speaks like he sings.