Zoom call with Michael Bublé (46). The singer is at his home in Burnaby, a suburb of Vancouver, Canada. He’s sitting in his office: “The only place in my house where I can have a conversation in peace without the screaming of children,” says the likeable star, who, along with his wife Luisana (34), is the parents of Noah, Vida and Elias.
In the BILD interview, the Canadian reveals how he and his family experienced the pandemic, why his band prefers to tour Germany and why he fondly remembers a call from “Wetten, dass ..?”.
BILD: Ten years ago you released the most successful Christmas album of all time. Now a special edition has been published for the anniversary. You have to be a Christmas professional!
Michael Bublé: “I have to admit: I am not the most organized person on this planet. It is therefore good that I have my wife by my side as I prepare for the party. But when I see the radiance on my children’s faces at Christmas, I feel young again. And of course Christmas is a bit more in my focus this year because I am celebrating the anniversary of my Christmas album. “
Would you have thought ten years ago that the whole world would automatically associate you with Christmas?
Bublé: “Never in my life. And before you ask if that bothers me: No, it doesn’t. Especially not at the moment. Corona has put the whole world in a kind of state of war. It is therefore all the nicer to celebrate an occasion like Christmas that makes people happy and not frustrated. So many things are going on that are scary. I think it’s important to do something about it. Even if only for a moment. “
You took a long break a few years ago after your son was diagnosed with cancer. Now the pandemic has forced you to make a professional cut again. How hard was that for you?
Bublé: “It was neither easy nor difficult because I just had no other choice. In both cases it was absolutely clear that health is more important than my music. I accepted the situation and quickly tried to learn to deal with it. What else should I have done? And during the lockdown, I quickly found other ways to network with people. “
What did you do every day during the pandemic?
Bublé: “I spent time with my family and worked. I’ve written the best songs I’ve ever made. Of course I couldn’t meet my colleagues, but we had Zoom, Skype and whatever else there is. It turned out to be the best music of my entire career. When I was sure of that, I flew to Los Angeles and recorded the album. It won’t be out until 2022, but that made me realize: I have to go back on stage. “
Didn’t you and your family get on each other’s nerves at some point?
Bublé: “No never. As a father, I had the best time of my life. I was finally able to watch my daughter get older and discover new things every day. My children couldn’t believe that their father was at home for so long at a time. And me neither. But my feelings are torn because I know how many people have lost their loved ones or died themselves. “
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/seine-familie-ist-das-wichtigste-in-seinem-leben-ehefrau-luisana-mit-den-kinder-noah-l- -elias-un-24ee04c337f742c3af1b0486503a98ed-78316936 / image / 4.image.jpg “/> His family is the most important thing in his life: his wife Luisana with the children Noah (l.), Elias and Vida (r.)Photo: ddp socialmediaservice
What connection do you have to Germany, apart from the Christmas markets?
Bublé: “Oh, you know about my weakness for the German Christmas markets? I love her! But never without currywurst and mulled wine. Apart from that, Germany was one of the first countries where my music met with a positive response. For example, I remember my visit to ‘TV total’ with Stefan Raab very well. Life is a collection of unforgettable moments. Oh, and one just comes to my mind. May I tell it? “
Naturally.
Bublé: “When I was working on one of my very first albums in the studio, a man came into the studio. Very tall, blonde curly hair, engaging aura, but very friendly. My producer David Foster said, ‘Listen, Michael. You don’t know this guy, but one day you’ll be very happy when that changes. ‘ I replied: ‘Oh yeah? Who is this?’ ‘His name is Thomas Gottschalk, he has a show on German television,’ said David and showed me the pictures of all these superstars who were already sitting on the couch. I was totally flabbergasted and said, ‘Wow, can I appear on this show?’ David replied with a laugh: ‘No, nobody knows who you are.’ Well, and one of those events that you never forget was the phone call from ‘Wetten, dass ..?’ That was really a big deal for me. “
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/michael-bubles-erster-auftritt-bei-wetten-dass—-war-im-jahr-2005-insotal-war-er -five-times-to-gas-77d440756a04455fbe07a04a6216b7da-78317012 / image / 4.image.jpg “/> Michael Bublé’s first appearance on “Wetten, dass ..?” Was in 2005. He was a guest five times in total. Here in the picture he can be seen in 2007 with ThommyFoto: picture alliance / Eventpress
What do you like about Germans?
Bublé: “Your humor. I know many say the Germans are not funny, but the opposite is the case. You even have exactly my sense of humor, wonderfully dry. In the US you have to be very careful what you say. In Germany I can live out my dry, black humor and have less to worry about being misunderstood. In addition, the people in Germany are open-minded and happy. “
But aren’t people in the USA friendly too?
Bublé: “Sure, very much. But for America pretending to be so liberal, it is a pretty conservative and prudish country. Germany, like much of the rest of Europe or other countries like Australia, are very liberal, for example when it comes to humor or sex. That suits me very well, because I come from Canada, which is also a very liberal and cosmopolitan country. And – that’s really no joke – if you asked my band which is their favorite country to tour there, the answer would be: Germany. “
Why?
Bublé: “For reasons of planning and reliability alone. If you are told in Germany that you will be on stage at 8.45 p.m., then you will be on stage at 8.45 p.m. You just know: if the Germans announce something, it will be implemented. Politically I cannot judge it, but in the areas that affect my life I have never been disappointed here. “
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/bis-zu-meinem-27-lebensjahr-barke-mich-niemand-sagt-buble-zu-bild-ditzt-sei-er- grounded-and-take-2788723897f3484fa05d542a9cde7b13-78317066 / Bild / 4.bild.jpg “/> “Nobody knew me until I was 27,” Bublé told BILD. Let him be grounded and accept his success with humilityFoto: Getty Images