Hello Monaco #09 Spring–Summer 2020 | Page 98

FAMOUS MONEGASQUES
dress up as a cosmonaut in our first video
clip, filmed by Paul McCartney’s & «Wings»
director. We all wore futuristic helmets in
order not to be recognized, which was a revolutionary
marketing act for those times.
I then called my band «Space» since all the
people who first heard the album told me
that the sound seemed to come from outer
space due to the synthesized rhythm.
HM: Since 1983, you have been performing
concerts in Russia, gaining celebrity in all
former Soviet countries, as well as Europe
and the rest of the world. How does that
make you feel?
DM: In 1982, I had the chance to meet the
Ambassador of Russia in Paris who introduced
me to the Deputy Minister of Culture,
Mr. Barabash. He invited me to visit the Soviet
Union, welcoming me as a real star at the
top of the pops in many countries around
the world. I then accepted with gratitude
but on one condition: to perform for a great
Soviet audience and not for a restricted circle
of institutional authorities. Therefore,
I played eight concerts at the renowned
Olympiisky Arena in Moscow, sold-out every
night with about forty thousand spectators.
At this point, I asked to organize a free
concert on Red Square, to the astonishment
of the Minister of Culture, who tried to dissuade
me. After long negotiations with Mr.
Luzhkov, Mayor of Moscow in those days,
I got the first authorization in recent history,
in 1992. It was remarkable taking the stage,
which was suspended thirty metres high,
with the Kremlin in the background and
more than 350 thousand people gathered
in that symbolic place in the Russian capital.
HM: Have you ever played in your homeland,
Monaco?
DM: Yes, I did not long ago. In July 2019,
I was delighted to perform at the Yacht
Club de Monaco for the wedding of my dear
friend’s daughter.
HM: In late November 2016, international
Media spread a piece of news about your
one-day misadventure in Moscow as a result
of a complaint by Philip Kirkorov. Can you
tell us about it?
DM: Actually, I fell into a trap. His song
«Cruel Love» was clearly stolen from my
composition «Symphonic Space Dream»,
as certified by French music experts
named by the appeal court. I couldn’t just
stay away since all the musical compositions
I conceive are like my babies. He invited
me to join him in a bank in Moscow
to settle accounts and contracts in the
presence of our lawyers. Once finished,
I was surrounded by about forty policemen
ordering me to stand still and not
use my mobile phone. Finally, I was taken
to the police station where I answered all
questions through my personal translator
until the following early morning.
Didier Marouani performing on stage
HM: What does music mean to you, nowadays?
DM: My life is passion and my passion is
music. I started learning music when I was
five and immediately began my first goal.
Hence, my father pushed me to take classical
music lessons. My first music professor
could not be better and I soon decided
I would like to be a composer, more than
an AS Monaco footballer which was my
first dream.
HM: What are your plans for the future?
© Didier Marouani & Space
DM: I have many upcoming projects including
one new album, a tour of concerts to
celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Marouani
& Space and several artistic collaborations,
primarily with Russian artists. My job continues
to give me satisfaction. On 23rd May
2019, for example, I did a concert in Kiev
accompanied by a symphonic orchestra in
front of one hundred thousand spectators.
It is simply wonderful and I feel lucky to live
from my passion!
Didier Marouani performing at Kremlin Theatre
(Moscow, Russia)
© Didier Marouani & Space
96 / Hello Monaco Spring–Summer 2020
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