There are some international stars whose head is still well proportioned despite the red carpet that is rolled beneath their feet. This is the case of Michael Buble.
Well, Bublé grew up in Vancouver rather than LA, of course, but it does what it is: an artist who fills arenas around the globe. And often more than one night in a row.
Currently touring and preparing to tread the Bell Centre twice rather than once, you have contacted by telephone. Even after the wire, the crooner manages to charm irresistible.
Mr. Bublé, is it a challenge to travel with a big band?
Quite the contrary! I consider myself privileged to travel with all these guys. They count among my best friends. I know last 7 or 8 years and when I get married, they are all invited! Being on tour is like being with my family. I feel at home when I’m on the road.
Your grandfather he follows you still touring?
Not only did my grandfather. Most of the time, there’s my mother, my father, my grandmother, my two sisters, their husbands and their children. And now there’s my fiancee and her parents, sister, brother and son!
Your grandfather will accompany you there for the love of music or because it is wrong bridge?
Aha! He accompanies me because he loves me. We are very close. The last months have been difficult. My grandfather and his brother Butch were used to accompany me on tour, but my uncle has been hospitalized. My grandfather did not want to leave. Fortunately, my uncle is getting better and soon, I hope I will have them with me. I miss them very much. They are very loved by my team. They are very nice guys, they make us laugh a lot.
Your latest album is titled Crazy Love. What is the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?
Well, I fell in love with a girl [Editor's note: Luisana Lopilato, as seen in the clip You Have not Met Yet] who spoke no English and lived in Argentina when I met her. People told me I was crazy, that it would not work and that I should be with someone who lives closer to home. I guess I’m crazy because I’m hooked to it and I believed that love. I’ve never been so happy and I will marry soon! Today, she speaks English. This is a significant gesture she asked. She showed me how much she cared about me.
Which artist would you like to pay tribute?
No artist in particular. But there are some composers that I love by cons.
Which?
Johnny Mercer, Leonard Cohen, Ron Sexsmith. Canadians, especially. But I do not think I’d do a full album of their works. There are too many artists and songs I like. In fact, I too write my own songs to those of others.
Are there groups that you like which boy you could cover songs?
I was a big fan of Pearl Jam. I loved the voice of Eddie Vedder. I found the arrangements Guns’n'Roses amazing. But I am very careful about the choice of times that I do. If it is wrong, it can become cheezy.
For example, for the last album I took part Heartache Tonight Eagles. I always loved this song and I always thought I could make it mine, also bring in my universe. Even if I think I did a good job and that my version is honest, there are critics who found horrible. They could not get the fact that it was a song from the Eagles. I understand and I respect that. For these people, it was not a good choice, but for me it was perfect. This is one of my favorite times.
Many great crooners spend their old days in Las Vegas. Is this something that is anticipated or if the thought of standing still scare you?
This is certainly not relevant now. I am lucky because there are some forty countries in the world where you buy my albums. It’s important for me to go play for these people. A gesture of respect towards the fans is to take the plane and go where they are.