Julio Iglesias Exclusive Interview

by Helen Earnshaw | 31 July 2012

Julio Iglesias is one of the most enduring music stars as he has had a career that has so far spanned over forty years.

But he is set to return with his new album 1 and we caught up with him to talk about his new record.

- You are about to release you new album 1 so what can we expect from the record this time around?

The Audience has given me TIME to learn and TIME to do things right. You can find in this double CD the greatest hits of my career, in Spanish and English and some of the duets I keep in my heart and memory, such as the ones with Diana Ross, Sting, Stevie Wonder or Frank Sinatra.

It’s a whole lifetime in this record. The songs of my life!

- This album really has been a labour of love as you have been working on it for three years so why did you decide to re-record the tracks?

Despite all sales figures and the achievements during the years with these songs, I honestly think that they could be improved.

In the seventies and beginning of eighties, the studios were not as good as they are today, and lets says it; I have been able to learn to sing better throughout the years .

So, at the end of the day I felt the need of improving these songs, of re-recording them again. Life has given me the time to do sing them again.

- And there are new arrangements on the tracks so how exciting has it been for you to breathe new life into your most famous records?

Getting into the studio is always exciting but since I am such a perfectionist, it can be a real challenge.

And this means hard work. I am indeed a lucky person. Having the opportunity to sing these songs, and being able to make a living from music for more than 40 years, up to the point that I can re-do them, it’s a real pleasure. A privilege.

- How have you found the response to the album?

I have felt the response from audiences throughout the world. Of course, my natural regions are the Spanish speaking countries, but also the French territories, and all continental Europe. Nordics, Germans, Italians, eastern countries, and last month it was released in Asia and Australia. I love those countries at the east.

I have lived there, my sons have Philippines blood and I have a deep respect for those far away cultures. On top of that, I have great friends in Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, China & Taiwan, Indonesia.

The best reward I could imagine for so many years of work and dedication in all the planet, is the love I receive at the shows in all countries across the world.

I am very proud of having my music released everywhere. This makes my career global, and allows me to visit many countries and meet so many people. All that love and friendship keeps coming back.

- Why did you decide that now was the right time to produce an album like this?

I just had the time, and confidence to revisit this repertoire. To face my whole life in songs needed a huge amount of time that I did not have until recently.

- While 1 is an album that sees you return to your most famous tracks do you have any plans to release an album of new material in the near future?

My company, my friends, my fans asked me for this for such long time. There are some plans coming for a new release. Maybe a duet project could be the next thing but I need to have it well thought out in my head before moving forward.

But either way, I cannot stop being in music. I will continue until the audience tells me to stop.

- You have enjoyed a career that has spanned over forty years so what is the secret to your longevity?

Passion. My secret is passion in doing my job. I really love what I do, and I is gift that I have. We latin people are passionate for life.

The right and duty of expecting the best of myself each and every day is also a must in my way of doing and seeing things.

- What has made you keep making music for all these years? How much do you still enjoy recording and performing?

The curiosity of learning. The perseverance. Keeping the faith in what I do every day. My love for music and this job. I still love performing. When I get on stage, my heart beats stronger than ever.

Getting in the studio is today, less thrilling, since it steals so much time from my life.and today, time is a sacred concept I protect constantly. I am very jealous of my time, and studio recordings means tons of time.

- As I say you have had a very long and successful music career but how have you seen the industry change in that time? And has it changed for the better?

I have had known up to 10 or 12 chairman in my life, overseeing Sony Music, which has been my company since I started. I have worked with all kinds of executives in music business.

The industry of content, not only the music industry, has to deal with a very changing world. In the past it was a very powerful industry, and today, sometimes I feel they are trying to find their place.

Life is movement, and we all have to find new models, new ways of touching people´s hearts.

Still I must say that the essence of music has not changed; when a song is a good song, it reaches people no matter what are the systems, or ways of distribution, etc music travels beyond these concepts.

- You have a massive fanbase all over the world and here in the UK so for any of the fans reading this interview do you have a message for them?

I thank my fans every day - and people that bought my records or went to my concerts. They are the one and only reason to keep on going and they gave me the time to learn, so I am twice thankful. My respect and love to them all.

- Finally what is coming up for you?

My day to day life is my family and my music. My concerts, and going from one place to another.

Seeing my kids grow up, with my lovely wife beside me is what occupies my heart and my mind.

On the professional side, as I said...new material will come along in the near future, but today I would like people to embrace these songs which I am so proud of, and I hope they help people, or at least make them smile a little in this world of ours.