The Record 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 goosebumps 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 Roller Coaster
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.

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