The Kastelruther Spatzen have been performing many times for decades. Frontman Norbert Rier would now like to step on the brakes.
40 years ago the Kastelruther Spatzen released their first album “Lots of fun and joy”. For the anniversary, the seven musicians from South Tyrol will release a best-of album on June 16, 2023. “40 years – stories written by life” contains the 40 most important songs of her career. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, frontman Norbert Rier (63) looks back on good and bad moments. He also thinks about the right time for the sparrow pension.
How difficult was it to select the 40 songs from the large repertoire of the Kastelruther Spatzen?
Norbert Rier: There are now almost 700 songs by the sparrows. I often find myself hearing a song and thinking it sounds familiar. Then at some point I realize that it’s from us. I even sang them all myself! So the choice wasn’t easy. Our manager and the record company gave us suggestions, we looked at them and everyone chose the songs that were important to them. We have put together songs from back then to today under the motto “Stories that life writes”. A new CD with 18 completely new songs will be released in autumn. So I’m excited to see how they arrive.
Which song was particularly important to you personally for the best-of album?
Rier: “The girl with the dead eyes” because it was our first hit song. Each of us seven has his favorite songs. But we were able to agree. When it comes to tours, there is always a theme, putting together a program that suits everyone. We always try to have a favorite song for everyone.
Which events from the 40 years do you remember most?
Rier: There were so many wonderful experiences. For example, how we held our first recording in our hands and received the many awards. You really enjoyed it and it was a wonderful time. But there have also been downsides, such as the death of our manager at the time, Karl-Heinz Gross, and the death of our former member, Andreas Fulterer. Those were bad moments that we had to get through and that show you that life can also be different. Nevertheless, as one of our songs says: “I look back with joy”. Mainly because we didn’t expect all the success. None of us would have believed that we would get this far. But that’s how it often is: If you expect too much, you will be disappointed. If you don’t have high expectations, you can just enjoy.
The album also features a duet with Oswald Sattler, who left the group in 1993…
Rier: He wanted to make his own music and we parted on good terms. I am happy that he is successful with his church music. The fact that he’s singing with us again now shows that we have a good relationship. It may even be possible to appear together on TV or on stage from time to time, if the schedule allows.
The show industry is very fast-moving. Why has the Kastelruther Spatzen been so successful for so many decades?
Rier: I think we were lucky that we didn’t have the one big hit. Many artists took off and thought the world was at their feet. But after that they were gone. It was important to us that we always stay normal and with our feet on the ground. The audience also noticed that we are completely normal. We slowly built up our fans and thanked the people again and again. Because we owe everything to the fans who have stayed with us for better or for worse. Anyone can make great music in the studio, but the audience decides! That’s why nice tours are important. It was very important to us that we sang and played everything live at the performances under the motto “Honest is the best policy”. That was always important to us personally and I believe it is also part of our success.
Speaking of touring. This year and next year there are already a lot of appointments in your calendar. How do you manage the whole workload?
Rier: I’m always amazed myself. With increasing age, you notice especially the long journeys. That’s why we start driving to the venues a little earlier or even a day before. But after the concerts we always drive home straight away, even if it’s more than 1000 kilometers from Lübeck. Personally, I would prefer it to be a little less, but demand is still high. I’m already trying to slow down our manager a bit. But it’s always nice to be on stage and to experience the enthusiasm of the audience. But you should now be a bit more careful that it is not too much. As I said, you can already see the age. It’s a very logical process.
At the beginning of the year, rumors were already circulating that the Kastelruther Spatzen would soon be retiring…
Rier: A lot is always written on the Internet. It was even said that I had died. But sure, at some point we will probably stop. I used to think I would quit when I was 50. Now I’m 63. I’ve always said that I don’t want to be on stage anymore if it’s no longer fun. And one thing is for sure: if we do a farewell tour, it should be one. And not like with colleagues, where the supposed farewell tour was more of a gimmick to attract people, and then there was a comeback. It would be nice to find the right time to say goodbye. But there are seven of us, so it has to suit everyone. That’s not that easy.
Would it be conceivable to bring younger musicians into the group and build up a new generation of sparrows?
Rier: I can’t imagine that. It would be ideal if we stopped in the current formation and it didn’t slowly crumble away.
What else do you wish for the Kastelruther Spatzen?
Rier: That we stay healthy and fit, continue to have fun and continue to make people happy with our music. It’s always nice to hear people say things like: “Your music gave me meaning again” or “Your music gave me strength”.
A lot has happened in your private life in four decades…
Rier: In January I was married 40 years – and still with the same woman. This is something special in the show business. We have had four children and now four grandchildren, and I hope that one day my son Alexander will take over our farm. I still have enough to do there if I ever have to retire. I have two hobbies that go with my job: music and farming.
Would you like more time with your wife Isabella?
Yes that would be nice. We also have holiday guests on the farm, I travel a lot. There is often little time for each other. But we try to take short breaks from time to time.