Michael Buble
By Shereen Low Canadian crooner Michael Buble (Boo-blay, not Boo-ble) has made his name singing standards from the likes of Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. His 12-date UK tour kicks off on October 31, and his new double A-side single, Song For You/Home, is out on November 14. More details can be found on www.michaelbuble.com
:: Do people normally mispronounce your name?
“I’ve been called everything from Bubble to Bugle and Bigable. When I got signed, the record company wanted to change my name but I said if my name has something to do with my success or failure, then I’m doing the wrong thing.
Plus it would have broken my dad’s heart. And you know what’s so funny? It’s become one of my marketing tools because they say ‘it’s pronounced Boob-lay’. Michael Brown doesn’t have the same ring.”
:: Have you ever got carried away by the fame game?
“I went through a phase where I got carried away with the new-found fame. It was so new to me and I had struggled for so long, that I thought I was ‘the’ guy. But I was lucky - I had wonderful people like my manager, family and friends who weren’t afraid to say I was being an a*******.
I’ve done some stupid things, and I’ve been a bit reckless with people’s feelings and said things I regretted. I’ve had interviews where I was so cocky, and when I read them, I said, ‘Why did you say that, you dumbass?’
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:: What about feedback from the original singers?
“I’ve had feedback from people connected to my idols, like their daughters, widows and sons. For me, the biggest honour was meeting Tony Bennett. I got to be friends with him, and hang with him.
You meet your heroes and a lot of the time, you’re disappointed, but with Tony, it was even better than I hoped. He’s awesome, he really is. He’s just so lovely, humble and generous, a really cool guy.”
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:: Aren’t you just rehashing old songs?
“I’m an interpreter of great songs, and I struggled for 10 years before I am where I am today. I don’t want to get too far away from what has brought me success.”
:: You’re 30 years old - ever feel broody?
[Laughs] “I’ve always longed for children - I love them boiled. But we’re not talking eating, right?
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I’ve always loved kids, but I have a hard time with discipline. Whoever the mum is, she’s gonna have to be the bad guy. I’ll be in the other room playing with them.”
:: What about marriage?
“I’m literally a big kid. I have the maturity level of an 11 or 12-year-old, and that’s being kind to myself. I’m old enough, but I’m so busy right now. I have to focus on the career so I haven’t thought about marriage yet.”
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