There's always nerves when you're faced with an interview with one of the biggest stars of the planet, especially when that person has been in the business for so long and has done hundreds if not thousands of press talks before this one.
Putting those nerves aside, I got the chance to submit some questions to the incomparable Julio Iglesias about his career, new record and just what we can expect from him when he comes to London next month and from the future ahead, and his answers certainly didn't disappoint.
With such an illustrious career under your belt, do you still feel pressure in the business?
What I feel is passion. The same passion for music as four decades and a half ago, and it keeps me alive.
Your new release is 'Julio Iglesias, 1 The Collection' - Why did you choose to release this collection of tracks?
1 The Collection includes some of the most important songs of these 46 year career. I decided to re-record them because I believe that I sing better now than when I started, and because the latest recording technology allowed us to give a modern touch to the songs. I truly hope that people will enjoy this CD; it was done with all my love.
The collection is numbered, number 1 - are there more in the pipeline?
Well, by “1” we tried to say that the album includes those songs which the audience felt most attached to, along the years. I think that each person who attends a concert has a “number 1” song in his / her heart and our wish was to make a kind of selection of those songs.
You entered the Guinness Book of World Records last year as the best - selling Latin artist in the world, how did that feel?
It was a great joy and I would like to take this opportunity and say a big thank you to all the people who bothered to go to a shop and buy my albums along the years, as well as to all those who came to see a concert… They made this award possible. Although I admit that the most important prize I´ve ever got is people´s love.
Over 2600 gold and platinum discs later, does the excitement ever fade when releasing new material?
The excitement is intact, fortunately, because the passion is alive. The permanent contact with the people, during the concerts we are having in so many countries, is a privilege and it keeps the passion alive both on the stage and in the recording studio.
You're to perform at the Royal Albert Hall this May, what can fans coming to those shows expect?
Yes, I´ll sing at the Royal Albert Hall on May 13th and 19th and I am looking forward to meeting the British audience again! I was very excited when I was told that the first show was sold out about 2 months in advance, so we added a second date, in the same amazing location. The performances will be focused on songs in different languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian), we´ll have a couple of young and talented Argentinian tango dancers, who will introduce us in the magic world of this passionate dance… And we´ll also have surprises.
Should we expect any other dates in other parts of the country?
I´d love to sing in more cities. If I am invited, I´ll be glad to go.
Enrique's released new music recently, what do you make of his material, and how proud as a parent are you of his achievements?
He is a champion. In fact, I could say that he is the king in my house, because my five little children spend lots of time listening to his albums, and also to their brother, Julio Jr.´s, music. I am very proud of all my children and I feel lucky to have them all in my life.
Finally, are there any other projects you're involved with that you'd like to share some details about?
My main project is to be alive and keep singing. I am also working on a new album and I´ll be glad to share more details about it with you, but not right now, because it hasn´t been finished yet.
Julio's new album '1 The Collection' is released May 19.
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