Icon of Italian romantic pop from the 90s and early 2000s, Eros Ramazzotti (Rome, 1963) wanted to enter the conservatory as a young man and failed. That opened the doors to popular music with which he would end up conquering Spain and Latin America. And in an instant, 40 years have passed, which he celebrates in his career with his album Una historia importante and with a world tour starting on February 11 - with stops in Barcelona and Madrid on May 2 and 4.
It's been 40 years already with his music playing on all stations.
It makes me feel older, but I feel good about having given everything I have to the people. And looking at the results of this latest release, I think it's still going well.
What has changed in music and in you since then?
Before, to present yourself, you needed to find money and a producer, it was much harder. But also, the songs were much deeper and the style was recognized much faster. Today, even though it's easier, the result is not as balanced and reaches the public much less. That's what I think, but there are many people who like that type of music and it works.
Where do you think there is a lack of depth?
Pop has always been the most listened to musical style because ultimately it reaches the public in a simpler way. But today, there is a lack of depth in the construction of songs, in the lyrics of the past... I like to connect a bit of the past and the present to show that we can return to music that reaches the depth of the heart and is more committed. I believe we should commit more at a mental level to create good songs that reach our audience. Also, there is the issue of technology there.
Do you not get along with technology? Because having teenage children must be difficult. I tell you, I don't really agree with technology. I don't use it because I don't like technology using us. I read an article about the law passed in Australia so that young people up to 16 years old cannot access social networks. Maybe it's very drastic, but it's a disaster how children are glued to Instagram or YouTube all day.
Life without music, after four decades dedicated to it, how is it? What do you do?
?Well, I have a very normal life with a house in the countryside like Alejandro Sanz. Just that I don't cook. You know he has his vegetable garden, makes his own sauces, almost has an industry... I prefer to go to a restaurant or have others cook when they come to see me. I dedicate more time to horses and naturally to my children.
Do you have horses?
I have two Spanish and one Portuguese. It's to show how much I love Spain.
We can't demand much demonstration from you, surely along with Laura Pausini, you are the most Spanish Italian there is now. You both are almost 50% of each country.
My mother's surname, who unfortunately passed away, was Molina, she had some Spanish blood. I have a fatal attraction to Spain because I have received a lot of love. And I give it back. I'm not telling you this because I'm being interviewed for Spain, it's where my career started for Latin America. Also, I am very close to the political values of the president. What's his name?
Of Pedro Sánchez? What values do you like?
Politically, I like him a lot, I support his political style and I think he has very good ideas.
I know you are not the only Spaniard who likes him. You also like Rosalía and your children ask you for a collaboration with her
.Rosalía has brought music back to where it should be. Not all artists can mix classical music with their style to make such a good album. I tried to enter the conservatory, but I didn't pass and didn't get in.
Your fans will be happy that you didn't enter that conservatory.
Well, the truth is that I could have made music anyway. I think I could have written this music the same way, but maybe I would have built a different career. What I really liked was the blues, but I ended up making popular music. Although in America, blues has always been popular music.
Preparing for this interview, I found out that you are already a grandfather. I don't quite see you in that role, maybe because your image as a young man is still very ingrained.
You didn't know? I took him to school this morning and he didn't even greet me [Laughs]. He is two and a half years old and seems like he's 12. He already skis, speaks Italian correctly, also speaks Spanish... at two and a half years old, they were still breastfeeding me. It's true that this child has unconventional grandparents because both his grandmother, my ex-wife, and I are rockstar grandparents.
There is the option that he becomes a singer, are you ready?
He can do whatever he wants.
After four decades dedicated to music, do you still feel like doing this job?
If not, believe me, I wouldn't be here talking to you. I have a deep love for music. If you don't have this love in your blood, you die immediately as a musician.
Q. What is the most impertinent question you have been asked? And what did you answer?
A. I usually get asked intelligent and calm questions, I'm not the type of person who inspires inappropriate questions.