When John Hannam Met Russell Watson

Tuesday, 17 August 2021 06:00

When I headed to London's Wisebuddah Studio in 2010, I could barely wait to meet Russell Watson. I'd seen him reveal his remarkable story of how he escaped death following horrendous brain tumours and I'd read his emotional book.

I was not keen to make the interview a sob story.

Russell gave me such a warm welcome and we hit it off instantly. He was also pleased to see his interviewer. The thrill for me is always meeting my guests. Virtually the rest of the day he had spent chatting to various radio stations all over Britain via headphones and high quality telephone lines.

He looked so well and yet I knew he didn't expect to make it. He was recording an album at the time of his first illness but had not told anyone of his condition. His vision had almost gone. In his own mind he had created his last piece of music.

Thankfully, there was a happy ending. He recovered, after a great fight, and the album was released as That's Life.

The very night before our interview he had been presented with the award for the Best Classical Artist for 2010.

At the time he was promoting his latest album, La Voce, recorded in Italy with members of the famed Ennio Morricone Orchestra. Right on cue Russell added a few bars of a Clint Eastwood theme.

How did his music career start? He was another who sat in a bedroom with a mate playing along to Beatles records.

I quickly sensed Russell was prone to teasing and this is always a good sign. I got into the spirit of it all and asked him how many exams he passed when he left school.

With a great laugh he said: "John I think the word you are looking for is none."

His father once told him: "It's just as well you can sing. You can't do much else lad."

Before leaving school he would wash cars and had several paper rounds and was keen to make his own way in life. He began on a youth opportunity programme and received £27 a week. Then he worked in a bolt cutting factory.

Eventually he became a mimic in pubs before moving into the tough world of northern clubs. Usually it was just before the bingo. There were times when he thought he would never move beyond club land.

On one occasion he was billed as: "Russell Watson — Salford's Joe Longthorne. Everything from Pavarotti to Meatloaf."

One night at the Wigan Road Working Men's Club was to change his life. A guy called Sidney said to him: "Russell Watson you have a great voice you ought to sing some of that opera stuff. Pavarotti's 'Neston Doormat' would be perfect for you." That old boy was spot on.

Suddenly his career took off and before long he was selling millions of albums. He sang at a Champions League Final, performed for the Pope in the Vatican and even won the male rear of the year title.

Russell has always been dubbed the People's Tenor. In reality, he introduced so many working class people to the world of opera. That was always his ambition from early in his singing career. I once interviewed an opera singer who described Russell as just being a karaoke singer. In fact, she was not very famous at all. A little touch of envy, maybe.

Our so-called karaoke singer has sung with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic and BBC Concert Orchestra. His voice has thrilled millions all around the world.

Currently Russell is touring Britain in his rescheduled 20th Anniversary tour which, lockdown permitting will carry on well into 2022. His latest album is called 20.

I was lucky enough to interview Russell on two other occasions and he is always a joy to be with. A real credit to his business.

Mind you, I rarely mention his beloved Manchester United. You can hear too much of a good thing!

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When John Hannam Met Russell Watson

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