What do you think about the media frenzy surrounding the anniversary of Brels death?
There’s been a huge amount of coverage generated by the 25th anniversary. But as we’re about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Piaf’s death, I’d say Brel’s still got a long way to go! I think in some ways the discovery of the previously unreleased songs has got the Brel “machine” up and running again… Brel’s throwing in the towel at the height of his career isn’t something you can imagine happening these days… Well, there are plenty of singers who quit – but then you find out they were just pretending! (Laughs) Brel wasn’t a computer, you know. I think he just got to the point where he felt he was cheating. He said so himself, in fact. He got to the point where he was beginning to run out of ideas and felt it was time to move on to something else. Writing music and song lyrics doesn’t just happen on its own, you know. It requires a lot of effort and hard work. I think Brel needed a change of scene really. That’s why he turned round one day and said “I’m stopping!” I think he was
