Russell Watson Tells Declan Harte of Near-Death Experiences and Career High Notes Ahead of His UK Tour

INTERVIEW VOICE of SURVIVAL Talented tenor Russell Watson tells Declan Harte of near-death experiences and career high notes ahead of his UK tour 1 INTERVIEW inging star Russell “The Voice” Watson seemed to have it all, before S he received some devastating news. The multi-platinum selling artist was on a world tour, trying to crack America, when his agonising headaches could not be ignored any longer and he sought urgent medical help. To his utter shock, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The brush with death changed Russell and he’s now grateful for every day he is still alive. Dubbed “The People’s Tenor” due to his lack of classical training and “The Voice” because of his naturally-powerful pipes, the northerner is about to perform across the UK. The 28 shows from September to November will cover Britain, seeing him perform in Edinburgh, York, Cambridge, Swindon, Weymouth and many more. Fans will be treated to songs from across his storied music career, which includes smash-hit albums and unforgettable performances. After starting out in the working- men’s clubs of North West England, his amazing musical journey eventually saw him perform at A TRAGEDY CAN EITHER BRING YOU CLOSER TO FAITH OR the White House and even the Vatican. “I couldn’t have imagined any of it,” the IT CAN DRAW YOU AWAY. YOU COULD THINK ‘IF THERE IS 51-year-old said of his humble origins. A GOD, WHY WOULD HE HAVE DONE THIS TO ME TWICE?’ “When I first came on to the classical scene in 1999, my knowledge of the arts was basic. OR YOU CAN FEEL CLOSER, LIKE, I NEED YOU NOW TO GET “I didn’t go to the conventional music colleges, THROUGH THIS. MINE WAS THE LATTER but 10 years in the clubs got me really prepared for audiences. It’s a school of hard knocks.” Other singing partners from across the worlds someone was sticking a knife into the middle of He added: “It got me prepared as an artist, so of rock and pop include Meatloaf, Lionel Richie my head.” He was in so much pain he desperately when I’m on stage I can really connect with my and Bee Gees star Barry Gibb. hurried to get checked out by a professional. The audience. I can also respond to anything that Russell has sung for a who’s-who of world singer went to LA’s Cedar’s-Sinai hospital and happens on stage quickly and spontaneously. For leaders and dignitaries. “I did a concert for Pope “was seen within 20 minutes”. an artist like myself, who’s constantly touring, John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome,” he said. After undergoing a series of scans, his worst that’s gold dust.” “That was something else.” nightmare came true. He recalled: “The specialist His big break came in 1999 when he sung Certainly a far cry from Wigan Road Working looked at me and said: ‘Mr Watson, you have a Nessun Dorma on the pitch at Manchester Men’s Club, where he formerly plied his musical tumour. And from the results, it’s potentially a United’s home stadium Old Trafford. The 75,000 trade. With gigs at the White House and Windsor very big one.’ That was it. My whole life flashed fans in attendance roared with approval when the Castle, it seemed he had conquered the music before me.” rousing aria reached its climax. business and nothing could go wrong. The tumour turned out to be benign and was It was for the final match of the Premiership Then, in 2005, his world came crashing down removed back in the UK with an intricate five- season and his beloved United triumphed over with the shock diagnosis of a brain tumour. hour operation. But Russell was not out of the Spurs to take the title. Russell then returned to the “My headaches over a period of time just got woods yet. As he puts it: “I had my first operation, pitch and performed the classic Barcelona, which worse and worse,” he said, “I was really struggling thought it was gone, then 12 months later it had a has become something of a signature song. with the headaches and also my vision was comeback tour.” It sealed his success and a week later he was deteriorating as well and I didn’t know why. He went to sleep one night and the second belting out the bombastic ballad at the UEFA “Particularly my peripheral vision, so my side tumour started haemorrhaging. “It was bleeding Champions League final in, yes, Barcelona. vision had almost completely gone.” into my brain,” he said. “I basically didn’t wake His debut album, The Voice, topped the It was on a flight to Los Angeles that things up the next morning. Two paramedics burst in classical charts in both the UK and the US. became unbearable for the singer. through my bedroom door. The next thing they More hit records followed and his career “I think it must have been the pressure of the were taking me downstairs in my house. was in full flow, duetting with classical stars as flight, but I thought my head going to explode.” “I remember that I was flitting in and out of renowned Lucianno Pavarotti. They performed the The overwhelming agony continued after consciousness. This guy was just repeating: Stay song Brindisi, from opera La Traviata, to 80,000 landing and travelling to his hotel. “I actually at with us Russell, stay with us pal. Try to keep your people at London’s Hyde Park. He called his 2001 one point felt like throwing myself off the balcony eyes open, don’t drift.” performance with the late Italian legend a “superb of the hotel, just to stop the pain,” he said. “My As he was taken into the waiting ambulance, experience”. head was just throbbing. The feeling was like his temperature soared to dangerous levels and 2 3 INTERVIEW PEOPLE OFTEN ASK ME ‘DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD EVER SING AGAIN?’ TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WHEN I WAS COMING DOWN THE STAIRS I DIDN’T THINK I WOULD LIVE AGAIN, NEVER MIND SING. IT’S A PRETTY SOBERING THOUGHT paramedics raced to cool him down with ice it’s just like the thing didn’t happen. People often was amazing.” It seems that his career can’t soar packs. He said: “Oh man, it was very scary. I got ask me ‘did you think you would ever sing again?’ any higher. to hospital and had emergency surgery. Thank To be honest with you, when I was coming down The star is also using his platform to lobby for God I survived.” January 2007 was the start of 25 the stairs I didn’t think I would live again, never more investment into brain-tumour research. intense treatments of radiotherapy. He said: “I’m mind sing. It’s a pretty sobering thought.” “I think it’s important for any person in the telling you, 25 blasts or radiation on your bloody But sing again he did. His most-recent album, media spotlight to give back,” he said. “Actually head wipes you out.” True Stories, even includes a self-penned song get out there. Do something.” Rather than finish him off, the harrowing about his euphoric relief at surviving. The track, He is patron of the Katy Holmes Trust, which experience led to a spiritual awakening for the I’m Alive, recounts his anguish upon being works to fight brain tumours in youngsters. tenor. He came out of the ordeal a different man. diagnosed. His shows typically see cash collections for He credits family and friends for giving him the He said: “It’s the story of when I found out I groups such as The Brain Tumour Charity. strength to carry on. was ill and things that went through my mind. At The upcoming live tour, titled Canzoni His two daughters, Hannah and Rebecca, first I didn’t tell my closest and dearest, because I d’Amore, is set to be a real treat for fans of inspired him to keep going. Another great source didn’t want to worry anyone. the resilient singer and his four-octave voice. It of strength was his own personal faith. He feels “The first thing I was thinking about was: ‘How kicks off at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, on the experience brought him closer to God. are my kids going to survive? They need me. September 21, before finishing in Dunstable on A deep religious reckoning came during his What if I’m not here to look after them or be with November 30. darkest hours. He said: “A tragedy can either bring them anymore?’ That’s all that was going through For a man who has recorded 11 albums, he you closer to faith or it can draw you away. You my head. I need to stay here.” is spoilt for choice with song selections. “All could think ‘If there is a God, why would he have His musical path was resumed and it is the songs I put into the show are for a specific done this to me twice?’ continuing to reach new heights. In 2015, the reason,” he said. “It’s a mixture of my repertoire “Or you can feel closer, like, I need you now to same year he wed second wife Louise, his voice from the past 18 years as a recording artist.” get through this. Mine was the latter.” was even broadcast in space.

Load more