Source: Bravo, 1987
Author: Inge Czygan
Translated by beilie

We’re not the best friends.

BRAVO: What did you do last months?

Thomas: I’ve been in the East Block as “Thomas Anders Show.” At the bottom of the bills it was written “Modern Talking,” because I perform MT songs above all. No one can blame me, because I am Thomas Anders and “Modern Talking” also, even without Dieter. I’ve been in Budapest, Ljubljana, Potsdam, Wroclaw and Gdansk. Our audience was about 120.000 fans. The Budapest Sport Complex accommodating 14.000 seats was sold out – it is the 2nd biggest hall in East Block! Our accompanying group was “Man-X,” and we had Nora and Jutta on the stage.

BRAVO: How did fans react on Nora’s appearance?

Thomas: Madly! At first I usually represented musicians, and then – “lovely ladies on the stage… Jutta,” and then - I didn’t have to say a word! You can imagine, when 10.000 people scream: “Nora! Nora!” It was truly positive!

BRAVO: Did you receive gifts?

Thomas: I didn’t count, but I for sure received around 400-500 Teddy bears! And indoor flowers, which we presented to our chambermaids. The flowers are very expensive there. One of bunches, for example, I presented to a wife of Police chief in Budapest. Next day he escorted us by the police file with a siren along the one way street…

BRAVO: Do you still live in Koblenz from time to time?

Thomas: Our office is still there. And our pets also – our housekeeper, frau Kneip, takes care of them. Only Cherri travels with us everywhere. We spend nights there, while passing by. And we live in Berlin.

BRAVO: Do you and Nora produce any other singers except “Man-X”?

Nora: Yes, we have found a girls’ band. There’re five beautiful girls from Marburg near Kassel. They’re real musicians, though they’re just students. Moreover, we help a guy from Koblenz, his name is Patrick. I know him from my childhood. He’s 1, 92 meters tall. He’s a super type!

Thomas: We also want to organize our own producer’s house, and I was suggested to open my own musical publishing house. Also we (me and Nora) performed a very amusing song “Tell me.” “Man-X” composed its music, and together with Nora we created lyrics. It was just for fun!

BRAVO: So, are you planning to sing together with Nora?

Thomas: No, of course, not. We did it just for fun, as a joke! This song will not appear as a single. But we perform it during our concerts. I’ll try to include it in my solo-LP, which will appear next spring (the pre-arranged album did not appear in 1988, and the song was not included in any following album – note). But we will have an autumn at first.

BRAVO: Shall we recognize this LP by the chain “Nora” and by the signature of Thomas Anders on the cover as it was on your product “Man-X”?

Thomas: I’d like to underline, that this cover was an idea of the recording company, not ours. I would like to have different Thomas Anders in a few years, not like nowadays.

BRAVO: What do you mean?

Thomas: I’m not going to be #1 with my solo project for sure. I had already five #1 singles, and I know what it is. The only thing I’d like to achieve is to have people saying: “It is quite good!” It will be the project with few producers. I’d like to get hold of Jim Steinman (producer of Bonnie Tyler, Meat Loaf, Barry Manilow and so on – note), in order to ask him write two ballads. Bolland&Bolland (Falco’s producers – note) suggested their help for more progressive songs a half of year ago. Moreover, I’m trying to get hold of Tony Swain (producer of “Spandau-Ballet”), Christopher Cross and both men from ABBA.

BRAVO: Did you discuss it with Dieter?

Thomas: No. We have no contacts. The problem is everyone wants to see us as friends. But it is not important to be friends, if you’re successful. The business connections are enough.

BRAVO: You should have to say: “The only problem in the tourney is Dieter…”

Thomas: Yes, it is right. But one shouldn’t overestimate it. I didn’t give any interview for a month; now I say something, and everyone think: “He’s nervous because of Dieter!” Dieter came to me and said: “I also want to go to the tourney!” And Nora replied: “But we don’t want you to go with us!” I think, everyone remembers the scene during the “Formel 1” tour, when Dieter abolished everything in 8 days. And, of course, I feel pity because of my nerves, and I want to keep myself from something like this, because I’d like to become a solo-singer one day. However, Dieter once said, that he doesn’t get anything from these tours. He said like this: “You can stand on the stage and wag your ass. And I can create 2 worldly hits at the same time!” He should do it. And I will stay on the stage with my great pleasure, because it is an inexpressible experience – singing before 120.000 people! My voice is my stock now.

BRAVO: Dieter, did you see live show of Thomas Anders in the East Block?

Dieter: No. Frankly speaking, I would participate in this tour with great pleasure. Because I’m sure that it is important to perform in the countries, where we still haven’t been, and where people admire us so strongly. But it was impossible. I was working in the studio for 3 months, making a new album, but Thomas certainly wanted to make a show. Anyway, someone has to work, and I have already started to write new songs.

BRAVO: Are you planning to make your own solo-show, as Thomas did?

Dieter: No, the same kind of show – no. I’d make it live, but not with a phonogram, as they did. And I wouldn’t like to perform with Nora on the stage. I would make a 100% honest show: 6-7 musicians, Thomas and me – in front. Everything would be “live.”

BRAVO: What do you think about the project Man-X “Waiting So Long,” produced by Thomas and Nora?

Dieter: Not bad. But not so good! I think that the melody is weak a bit, but it sounds quite nicely. Because it was mixed by Louis Rodriguez, my sound producer.

BRAVO: Do you think that your new album will become a hit? Is it ready?

Dieter: Well, ohm… yes…