In February, Nicoletta published a book called Soul Sister, 50 Years On The Stage. Half a century of sharing for the singer who turns 77 this April 11.
What is the most important feeling when you look back on your career?
I tell myself that my life is full and that it is not over. Today, I have a lot of hindsight, joy, maturity. My job is a privilege. I have had a journey with ups and downs, but mostly ups. My audience carried me a lot in difficult times. It was a miracle.
What is left for you to accomplish?
At 77, I am starting to understand life a little. In the last straight line of its existence, it is necessary to go to the essential. I wish my child and my companion to be happy. Give to the public too. We try to please people when we reach maturity. Seeing the light of contentment in the eyes of the audience at the end of a concert is a real reward. When we “catch” a little age, people confide in us. We learn to be silent and listen to them.
You are going to celebrate your thirty years of relationship with your companion in May …
A couple is a creation, an entity, a force. You have to concrete, consolidate, make concessions, take care of the other. When you can walk together, it’s important, because everyday life is not easy.
You have had many friendships among artists. Did one encounter have more impact on you than the others?
Each artist I met showed me the route to follow. With Johnny, we lived the golden age of song. It was completely crazy. My meeting with Ray Charles went like a dream: he introduced me to gospel and nourished me. He gave me confidence in myself. I felt supported. And then Hervé Vilard is part of my family. He’s my son’s godfather (Alexandre, 42 years old, editor’s note) and I see it very often.
What have you tried to convey through your songs?
A singer must be the voice of others, he must sing what speaks to people. That’s why my songs aren’t clones, to give everyone a chance to recognize themselves.
You say you have “an indestructible faith in God the Father”. How does this manifest itself today?
The Good Lord is very busy, so I go through my relatives who are up there to speak to him. They help me a lot. Every morning, I give thanks for the day that is coming. To have spirituality is to put your heart and soul at the service of others. I go to mass twice a year, but I do church tours. The good Lord is happy, I fill his churches (laughs)!
What relationship do you have with your son, Alexandre?
I wanted my son to be proud of me and he is. When he tells me that he loves me, I tell myself that I have achieved the essentials in my life.
How do you see the period in which we are living?
I am very unhappy not to sing anymore. But I put up with it, I wait for it to get better. I am very careful while waiting for my vaccination. I wrote my book during confinement, so the time seemed shorter, less difficult to live with. It is a parenthesis that must be endured. We must remain optimistic!
What can we wish you on your birthday?
That I can resume concerts, because I’m a little bored. I miss the audience. It’s so heartwarming when you leave the stage and meet people. I would also like to find some great songs to make a new record, but it doesn’t run the streets.
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