many other bands that play with a commercial interest in mind. I sometimes think: After 40 years on stage, I’ll take it easy today. But as soon as I am out there, that resolve is gone, then there’s that fervour, the sacrifice and the reverence for the audience. It’s just like it is at home in bed with my wife … L.L. ⁄ Is there a song that you like in particular and that you
like playing in front of a big audience? E.A. ⁄ As one grows older, the feelings grow more profound. As a youngster one jumps through the world and all is in a hurry, now we’ve come full circle, the world has become fast-paced and no-one has time anymore. In this moment I’d probably choose the song “Bergsommertraum”: “Auf ’m Berg wird’s langsam stad, und der Mond streut seine Glut übern See …” (“Dreaming of mountain summer: Up on the mountain all is growing quiet and the moon scatters its embers across the lake …”) That kind of says it all right there. But the most beautiful song is always the one I’m playing right now!
Kunst & Kultur
“The song ‘Zillertal, you are my joy’ is neither young nor old it’s right here and now.”
“But that guy Erwin Aschenwald wrote songs the world is going to pay attention to when I am gone!”
L.L. ⁄ You once said: “One day you’re going to have to carry me on stage.” Do you still think that way? E.A. ⁄ Well, that was just something I said, in the end it’ll be someone else who makes that decision! But I’m only 60 now and thinking of Udo Jürgens who just turned 80 and Heesters who was pushed onto stage in his wheelchair at 106 … The stage simply is my world, even when I was a sheperd’s boy I always liked being at the centre of attention. So if I should drop dead on those boards that are my world, that would be beautiful for me. Right now I still have a lot of time though and I want to pass on experiences and values to the younger generation – owning up to one’s own mistakes is part of that. L.L. ⁄ You write poetry, do you think you could recite a poem for us? E.A. ⁄ At first I would like to point out that I’ve always valued my home and that I really appreciate what the pioneers of tourism and music have done for this valley, making it know 200 years ago. That’s a certain depth I cannot describe but I did write a lot of things down in a book: “Mit Hooo Ruck um die Welt” (“Around the world with heave-ho”). I travelled all the continents,
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