As classical singer Russell Watson prepares to return to the stage for the first time in 18 months, we find out more about the brain tumour that almost stopped his career, and who inspired him to start singing.
When asked to name an individual who has had the biggest impact on their career, the majority of singers would no doubt say a fellow musician, vocalist or teacher. Not Russell Watson. For the Salford-born tenor, the choice is much closer to home.
“It’s my grandma,” he reveals. “She loved classical music – especially light classical artists like Mario Lanza. I spent a lot of time at my grandma’s listening to her old radiogram.
“As a kid, I knew loads of songs before I ever started singing them.
"She was also a massive influence on me in general. After I became well known, she was the one who was genuinely honest with me. She told me to keep my feet on the ground, remember who I was and where I came from. If I did that, not only would I appreciate it but people would appreciate me more, too.”
'The stage is where I feel most at home'
Russell says he’s like a 100m runner in the traps, currently waiting to get back on stage for his three concerts this summer. “I don’t sing to live but live to sing! It’s something that’s ingrained in me. The stage is where I feel most at home and I cannot wait to step out on it again. The adrenaline rush you get when you walk on stage is like nothing else and will be extra special because it’s been so long.”
It’s 20 years since Russell ‘made it big’ – hence the title of his latest album, ‘20’, which was released in October last year. Due to the pandemic, his 20th anniversary tour was postponed.
“Back in 2000, it seemed like I was an overnight success but it wasn’t that way at all,” says Russell (54). “For 10 years I’d been doing the club circuits in the north west and honing my craft. But when success did finally come, it was quite quick. My first album was No. 1 around the world, I sang for the Queen, the Pope and two US Presidents. My feet didn’t touch the ground. It was like a runaway snowball, getting bigger and bigger.
“It was also something of a learning curve. I was occasionally blasé about my success. I remember being booked to do a recording session with the world-famous film composer, Hans Zimmer, but I turned up for it completely unprepared. Basically, I hadn’t learnt the song and he wasn’t impressed. What a clown I was!”
A brain tumour almost brought Russell's career to a close
As has been well-documented, in 2006 Russell’s career came to an abrupt halt when it was discovered he had a brain tumour. This was successfully treated but the following year, he was diagnosed with a second tumour due to a sudden regrowth that led to bleeding in his brain. He underwent emergency surgery and five weeks of intense radiotherapy following the relapse and says it took him a couple of years to come back from it.
“Obviously it was a very tough time – it was nearly the last dance for me. People told me I was so brave but I didn’t see it like that. I had an illness and had no choice but to live with it. I don’t like to call it a fight because some people don’t win – no matter how hard they may have fought. I feel very fortunate to still be here and it taught me never to take life for granted. My health is great now – although I’ll have regular check-ups for life.
“During lockdown, I did get really healthy and I do enjoy exercising and feeling the benefit of those endorphins being released. I have an exercise machine at home and also a kind of climbing frame which my wife encourages me to go on when I’m being a bit grumpy!”
Russell Watson 20th anniversary tour
As life begins to open up again, the plan is for Russell, who lives in Cheshire with second wife Louise and is father to two grown-up daughters by his first wife, to kick-off his postponed 20th anniversary tour in September.
“I’d also love to do a musical at some point,” he adds. “Preferably a brand new one. In 2009, I appeared in the musical Kristina, written by Benny and Bjorn from Abba, in New York and played one of the leading roles. It was a massive challenge but I got such a thrill from it. It’s an ambition I would love to achieve and would be another string to my bow!”
If you’d like more details about Russell’s three summer concerts and his 20th anniversary tour, visit his website: russellwatson.com__.
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