The Record Q&A

The Record - Indian Music magazine

Mumbai Itinerary: The Irish heartthrob made a whirlwind trip to Mumbai, staying in the city for only 36 hours! He spent an afternoon giving interviews, made an appearance at an awards ceremony and flew out that very night.

The Record Q&A: The last time Ronan Keating was in Mumbai he was all of 21 and at the height of success with boy-band Boyzone. An uncontrollable crowd of screaming teenagers cut short that visit and fans waited breathlessly hoping he would return each year. Ronan finally came back to Mumbai this month, after seven years. A lot changed for the singer in this time ~ Boyzone split, he launched a solo career, lost his beloved mother to cancer, and became a father to three young children with his wife of seven years, former model Yvonne. Lit by the afternoon sun, in a casual t-shirt and jeans, the singer sits across from us for the first interview of the day. Behind him, at the glass door of the restaurant two women stop and try to get a good look at him, gushing quite like the teens from all those years ago. Here's our conversation with the charming Ronan Keating.

The Record: You're finally back in Mumbai! We tried to meet you the last time ~ didn't quite work…

Ronan: It was crazy! People were getting hurt on the street. I got sick. I remember people crying, getting hit with sticks. It was too dangerous; we had to cancel the event. A big thank you for the support the fans have given me though. It's taken seven years to get me back and I'm sorry it's taken so long. But I'm going to come back for concert shows next year in India.

TR: You've got a new album coming out…

Ronan: Yes it'll be out in March. I am so excited about it! It's kind of got the old Ronan ballads on there but with a contemporary flavour. I think it's what the fans want. The last album Turn It On ~ well the greatest hits was really the last album ~ but Turn It On, the album before that didn't do what I wanted it to do. I felt at the time that it was my best piece of work but this album honestly is fantastic. It's exciting; it's got the songs the fans want. I'm really excited. We have Gregg Alexander (Life Is a Rollercoaster co-writer) on there and I wrote a song with Richard Marx. I get goose bumps thinking about some of the moments. I want the record to come out now, I'm so excited! [Laughs]

TR: Your last album was a greatest hits release. Tell us a bit about some of these hits:

Life Is A Rollercoaster -

Ronan: For me it was a song that opened up so many doors for me. People that would never buy a Boyzone record decided to buy a Ronan record because of that song. It changed a lot in my career. This is a favourite with my kids. They dance around the kitchen to this song. [Smiles]

I Hope You Dance -

Ronan: I Hope You Dance is one of my favourite country songs. The sentiment is just beautiful. It's about hope. Whenever I sing that song I think about my children really.

When You Say nothing at all -

Ronan: That's the song that made everything possible. It's my first single as a solo artist and I got to meet Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant and all these fantastic people that made the movie Notting Hill. At the premiere of the movie Julia came over to me and said, 'When your song came on it made me cry'. That was a seal of approval for me. I knew then it was going to be a hit.

TR: What's the most ridiculous perk you've received for being a star?

Ronan: Perk? [Laughs] I remember Pepsi cola endorsed us once and I got a garage full of Pepsi cola! I didn't even really drink any; I just started giving it away to my friends. That was ridiculous.

TR: There was talk that u were going to be in a British film..is that still on?

Ronan: It hasnt happened they didnt get the funding for it. I think the movie world~ I've learnt over the last year ~ thats kind of the way it works. You get offered 10 movies and onlt 1 of them gets made. If I make one movie in the next few years I'll be happy but my priority is the record.

TR: You've been working for humanitarian causes in the past few years.Tell us more.

Ronan: I find that with anything, like say the tsunami, the next day on the news there's something else and people move on and forget. But these people are still suffering & going through this heartache and will do for the rest of their lives, for the family they have lost, the homes they have lost...I think its important that we continue creating awareness for these people and help them. I'm part of the FAO, the United Nations Food & Agricultural Organisation. I had lunch with the Pakistan Ambassador to the UN. He was telling me what the UN are doing to help (the quake victims) and its fascinating & incredible. It shows that there are great people out there doing a great job. We need to create more awareness. I need to take the messege back home to people in Europe so that they know whats going on.

TR: So you say that the role of entertainers has changed?

Ronan: Absolutely!I think its important for us to use our place in society to give back, to show people whats going on and to speak out.

TR: They call you the nicest man in pop...

Ronan: I try & treat people with the same respect I want to be treated with. Thats what's important, thats why I guess people say 'Oh you're so nice'. Its about treating people with respect and I think there's so little of that left in the world. People have no respect for anyone anymore. Thats really all you know, thats why people think I'm the nicest guy or whatever... I'm not really that nice! [Laughs]

TR: Whats the best thing about being Ronan Keating?

Ronan: Being a dad to Jack, Marie & Ali. Thats the best thing about being Ronan Keating

Thank you to Tuku!