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| Pic Source: www.johnhelliwell.com by the one who took this pic! |
Dear John, be welcome to the interviews with Rocket Queen. It’s an honour having you. I hope you are fine and got the following questions for you:
1. Supertramp has got a huge musical history and you got tons of experiences you made throughout many years in the music business. Can you still remember the day and the feeling you had when you joined the band?
John: I went to an audition/rehearsal in the summer of 1973 in London and was immediately struck by the songs of Rick and Roger - so different and sometimes quirky! I especially remember being impressed with “From now on”
2. Back in the days rock music was a new thing and not that explored. Today many many years later all is existing and so you can’t hardly invent new styles etc. What are your thoughts on this? I mean you started in a world where there was soooo much to discover and to invent. So it must be some great kind of experience you must have made being there and inventing your kind of music for example?
John: In Supertramp we all brought to it our different ideas, ideas and influences. My background was jazz and soul mainly, Roger and Dougie were Beatles fans, Bob came out of the Californian surf scene and Rick, who used to be a jazz drummer, liked blues and R&B. We all liked the British groups like Traffic and Spooky Tooth.
3. Lots of kids today are not that familiar with the 60s/70`s and 80s music. How would you familiarize someone with the music of Supertramp?
John: I would ask them to listen to “Crime of the Century” and the next three or four albums. Then I would ask them to watch the DVD “Live in Paris 1979”
4. What do you think you liked more back in the 70`s and 80`s compared to the year 2012? And what would have been better in the 80`s comparing to now?
John: I liked the fact that we toured and recorded a lot in the 70s and 80s compared to now. My cycling times were shorter in the 80s - I am slower now in time trials due to my being 30 years older - I don’t like it - but I have to accept it!
5. In 2010 you celebrated 40 years of Supertramp. That has been 40 years of great music and your passion for music and a wide range of experiences you made, people you met and shows you played. How were the anniversary shows?You also named your European tour 70-10 s it was 1970-2010. Which places you like best in Europe by the way?
John: I think that the band in 2010 and 2011 was on top form - we played well, produced a great sound and entertained the audiences. I like to be in Paris and Munich for my breakfasts! Paris -croissants and coffee. Munich - weißebier, weißwurst, pretzel and senf.
6. What was the best story from on the road you remember and would like to share with us?
John: During the 1983 tour, Bernard, our piano technician, went skiing on a day off (it was forbidden) and broke his leg. Subsequently he was using crutches. Each day when he was resting we cut about 2cm off the end of each crutch and replaced the rubber foot - he was having difficulty using them after a week or so. This went on for a few weeks - much to our amusement. We never told him.
7. What was the worst experience you made in your career with Supertramp?
John: In one of my announcements during our show at the Toronto Blue Jay’s Stadium in 1979 or 1983, I forgot where I was and refered to the crowd as being from Montreal. This is something you really do not want to do - it was lucky that no-one shot me!
8. What is Supertramp doing at the moment - do you plan to record new material? What could the fans expect from you in the near future?
John: Rick Davies is in comtrol and we may tour next year. There are no recording planned at the moment.
9. How do you keep fit for your shows? Are you having any warm up rituals you usually do?
John: I ride a bicycle every day - sometimes I take my bicycle out on the road. If I am not riding on tour, I like to have a morning walk. Before a show I like to relax, have a small meal about three hours before we play. I may have one glass of wine before the show too!
10. John - I am kind of curious now. Which bands are your favourite ones you are listening when you drive in your car? And which new age bands do you like?
John: In my car at the moment I am listening to Mike Stern, Donny Hathaway, Muse, and Keith Jarrett. I have just checked out the Wikipedia’s list of “new age” artists and bands, and I don’t listen to any of them!
11. And now the floor is yours... please leave a message for all your German fans and for my readers as well.
John: I like travelling and playing in Germany - the people are friendly and enthusiastic, everything works and is usually on time. I like the food - what better that a good Gulaschsuppe when you are hungry after a gig! I will come over and play some jazz with my group “Crème Anglaise” if you like. Don’t let the French sounding name put you off - we will play German jazz all night for you!
(www.johnhelliwell.com)
Thank you so much for taking time for this interview. I wish
you and the band all the best. Have a great week. Susi
© 8 2012 by Susi Müller Rocket Queen *Promotion*
www.rocketqueenpromotion.blogspot.de re-post!
