Michael Holm: He really wants to experience that

Michael Holm
He really wants to experience that

Michael Holm became famous with the song “Mendocino” in 1969 and has been an integral part of the German hit scene ever since. On July 29, the singer celebrates his 80th birthday. A week earlier, on July 21st, his best-of album “HOLM 80” will be released. Then he sings “Danes don’t lie” with many well-known colleagues, for example with Otto Waalkes (74). In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the musician, who lives in Weilheim, tells how he will spend his birthday, how he keeps fit and what great wishes he still has.

Can you believe that you are turning 80?

Michael Holm: I’m slowly getting used to the idea. You get a year older every year. When I turned 50, I thought: Oh God, I’ll be 80 in 30 years. I found that frightening. But now the time has come and I have accepted it. If you don’t want to grow old, you have to die early and that’s not a nice alternative either.

How are you going to spend your birthday?

Holm: It’s a small celebration rolled into one Restaurant planned, to which many family members, friends and companions will come. We’ll eat, drink and chat. There will certainly be a lot of music as well, since many musicians are coming.

What do you do to stay fit?

Holm: I usually go to the gym with a friend twice a week. I like to cycle and when I’m on the road, I like to walk my way through the cities. I have a pedometer and I try to get 10,000 steps a day. You just have to move. But the best training is performances, because they are a top performance for the body. This really gets you sweating.

There’s a best-of album for my birthday…

Holm: These are old songs that have been wonderfully rethought and produced. My hits have been given a wonderfully modern touch.

You sing many hits on the album for the first time together with other artists. Which colleague did you wish for the most?

Holm: All duet partners were my ideal candidates! Of course it was a lot of fun with Otto. We sang his version “Danes Don’t Lie”. Anyone who can’t have fun with Otto is probably doing something wrong.

Will you ever perform together with Otto?

Holm: Yes, maybe. There have already been inquiries from television. But of course we both have to have time. Otto is also a very busy person.

You’ve been in the business for a very long time, looking back on a 60-year career…

Holm: That’s right. But my breakthrough came in 1969 with “Mendocino”. The so-called hammer was not there before.

Is such a big hit a curse or a blessing? Some singers find it incredibly stressful and eventually tire of singing the same song over and over again…

Holm: First of all, a big hit is a big hit. It evokes many feelings and memories in the audience and has meaning in many people’s lives. Of course they want to experience how the legendary numbers sound and feel live. That’s what I’m booked for and that’s what people come to my concerts for.

What moment in your long career do you remember most?

Holm: It was an absolute highlight when I saw Heintje live for the first time. I won Radio Luxembourg’s Silver Lion back then, and the lovely boy sang “Mama” in his crystal clear voice. There were already so many tears in the eyes in the first rows during the rehearsal. I will never forget this moment.

Your autobiography was recently published. What was important to you?

Holm: I wanted to use it to remind people of the good sides, of the beautiful moments that I like to think about. I left gossip and negativity aside because that’s not what the book was supposed to look like. Don’t expect Prince Harry revelations.

Then shows like the jungle camp are probably not for you, in which a number of your colleagues have already been seen?

Holm: That’s out of the question for me. I couldn’t take part in “The Masked Singer” like Peter Kraus. The masks are very heavy. I sweat enough when I’m performing.

What other wishes do you have?

Holm: I still hope for grandchildren. Both of my children are in committed relationships and I wish to be able to hold their children in my arms soon. I am looking forward! Also, I hope to stay healthy for a long time.

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