Finding his voice again
For over two decades, Russell Watson has been one of the most popular classical stars on the planet. His current tour – which sees him play Shrewsbury and Crewe this autumn – marks 21 years since the release of his debut album, The Voice, which shot him to fame
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ith a string of hit albums behind him, Rusell Watson, the man dubbed “The People’s Voice”, has performed for popes and presidents and opened sporting events from the Champions League final to the Commonwealth Games. Now, with live music opening up again, the Salford-born singer is finally getting back to doing what he does best, playing a series of live shows to celebrate 21 years since the release of The Voice, the debut album that made him a household name. He is due to perform at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury on 22nd October and Crewe
Lyceum on 21st November, as well as various venues skirting the Shire region. As if that wasn’t enough, Russell has also released 20, a collection of new versions of his biggest tracks. With a career as long as Russell’s, there were plenty of tracks to choose from, but he came up with a list that is sure to please everyone. “There were the obvious ones that had to be in there, those ones the fans always demand such as ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘Volare’,” he says. “They made it straight on to the record! Another easy choice was ‘Where My Heart Will Take Me’, the theme from Star Trek: Enterprise.
“I just want to get back out on that stage again and do what I love doing more than anything in the world”
That was such a career highlight for me, to be asked to sing something that’s going to go down in history forever. I watched Star Trek as a kid, so it was a real shock that out of all the artists in the world, Paramount chose me to do that. I’ve always been very proud to have been involved with that. “The album kind of chose itself, though there are still a few that maybe could have been there too, such as ‘You Raise Me Up’.”
Drive and determination
Russell has come a long way since his days grafting on a Salford factory floor by day and singing in clubs by night, but he maintains that to get where he is today has taken a lot of drive and resilience. “I don’t know where the drive comes from, but it’s always been there,” he says. “I lost count of how many times when I was working through that period in the clubs when I was told to forget about it, but the more I was told no, the more determined I became. It was like a red rag to a bull! “Even 18 months before I had my first album at the top of the Classical Charts I was told by a major label that I would never be a classical singer and should try Broadway or something. But there was always something in my mind that just knew I’d achieve my goals in life, no matter how long it took. That drive and determination have always been in me.” Russell’s work ethic is clear from what has been a relentless touring schedule throughout his career – so having live music put on indefinite hold during the pandemic was a big change. Naturally, Russell says, his first concern is for people’s safety but he admits not being able to do the thing he loves the most has been difficult, making his upcoming tour all the more special. “It’s become much more relevant to me these past 18 months or so that I live to sing. It’s something that’s very personal to me, so when I’m not in tune with performance, the adrenaline rush and the thrill that it gives me to be on stage in front of an audience, it fundamentally affects me and who I feel as I am as a human being. Obviously, we’ve gone through the darkest of times and there are many, many people way worse off than me, but it still wasn’t easy. I just want to get back out on that stage again and do what I love doing more than anything in the world. I’m just so thrilled to get that opportunity to do that again. I cannot wait.” September/October 2021 | SHIRE MAGAZINE 33
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