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ANDREA Corr laughs as she holds a glass of halo-halo, "Yes, I'm wondering
why this ice cream is purple."
It's a gloomy Saturday morning. The "stunning" scenery you could see
from the hotel window was a building under construction. Inside the Admiral
Suite of Discovery Suites in Ortigas where FWD Magazine was doing its cover
shoot, everyone was perky. The Corrs were posing with local desserts.
"It's too early for dessert," Caroline says laughing when her turn
came up.
The group is finally getting its share of the limelight and enjoying
the moment. It has played small movie roles, opened for musicians like
Celine Dion and sold 25 million records.
The Corrs journey to fame started in Dundalk, Ireland. Their musical
parents encouraged the children to play various instruments at an early
age. After appearing in the movie "The Commitments," they linked up with
the film's music coordinator, John Hughes, who would eventually become
their manager. In 1994, the group impressed the United States ambassador
so much it was invited to play at the soccer World Cup celebration in Boston.
The Corrs cut their first album, "Forgiven, Not Forgotten," in 1995
with the help of hot-shot producer David Foster. A tour with Celine Dion
followed. Andrea did a slight detour, working in Alan Parker's "Evita."
The group recorded its second album in 1997, "Talk on Corners," spawning
four major hits, that included "Dreams," its version of the Fleetwood Mac
classic as a tribute to the band. By then, the world was definitely listening.
The Vatican invited The Corrs to play at its Christmas concert. They
performed with Pavarotti, opened for the Rolling Stones and recorded their
"MTV Unplugged" album (where they sang REM's "Everybody Hurts" as a tribute
to the victims of the Omagh bombing). Their fusion of folk, pop and Irish
music along with lyrics about love lost and love found landed them on numerous
charts and music countdowns across the globe.
The siblings would dedicate their third album, "In Blue," to their
mother Jean who passed away during the recording. Mutt Lange coproduced
the album, which has already sold four hit singles since its July 2000
release, with The Corrs.
People have started calling them "rock stars," implying they are musicians
with a certain attitude.
So what? They have come a long way from playing in dingy bars where
people barfed in their hair and performing in places where people would
not listen to a note they played.
As the pictorial continued, Andrea put on a black cardigan, plopped
down on the sofa and fell silent. We were suddenly reminded of our little
sisters who, at times, morph from adorable to spoiled rotten, putting her
thumb in her mouth and watching people move around her. Caroline asked
me where I wanted them to sit. I told them the sofa was fine, hoping not
to start the conversation on the wrong foot. Sharon jokingly told the band
to sit next to the widescreen TV.
"Let's go sit on the floor next to the TV," Andrea suggested, before
giggling girlishly as her siblings sat down on the sofa, ready to talk
about the album, playing live and the early years.
Hard work
You have worked your butts off for years to get where you are now.
How does it feel to finally make it?
Caroline: The thing is, it's not like this global thing happened in
one night. It started in our hometown, and then in Australia, and then
in England, and then the rest of the world. I think it's better to progress
that way, and we know we worked really hard to get to where we are. If
it was a really fast thing, you don't get to appreciate the hard work and
everything that goes into [making music and performing].
Do you still work as hard as before?
Sharon: Not as hard… well, nearly as hard.
Let's talk about "In Blue." What makes this album different from the
others?
Andrea: It's progression. You know what I mean? We're two years older
than the last album, two years older than what we've written before. We've
had more experiences, a lot has happened, and we've played in an awfully
lot of live shows. Those definitely have an impact in the way we write.
You produced some songs on your new album. Do you see an album produced
solely by the band?
Sharon: Well, on the first album, Jim produced a lot of songs with
David (Foster), so he's been doing a lot of behind-the-scenes things. We
have always been involved in our music. I mean, we write the songs and
we play them. But sometimes you have to let someone else handle your work.
Caroline: You couldn't be objective if you produce the entire album
yourself.
Andrea: I think if you write the songs, you play the songs, you record
the songs, and then expect to be objective when you produce the songs,
that just won't happen. I think you'd be playing with the devil if you
think you can do all that and still be objective. I mean, we're musicians,
and playing live and writing are what come naturally to us, and that's
why we stick to doing that. (To Jim who starts fanning himself with a fan
he found on the table) Stop doing that, I can't see her. (Everyone becomes
quiet. Andrea laughs before speaking again.) For producers, that's what
comes naturally to them. Also, we are four in the band. That's too difficult
because there are too many cooks. You need one person to go, "Okay, let's
listen to this." Otherwise we'll all be confused and be going, "I'm not
really sure," and each would want it to be this sound or that sound. So
it would be really hard.
Do you have any requirements when recording or writing?
Sharon: I don't think so. Do you have any? (Looks at the others)
Caroline: Well, we've recorded everywhere, from a studio to a bedroom,
where we used to record when we started out.
Andrea: I think what we always require is a comfortable space, somewhere
we're comfortable in. Maybe there's a TV where one can watch while someone
else is [recording] his or her part.
Let's talk about playing live. You've opened for other bands. What
is, so far, the best act you've toured with?
Jim: I'd say U2. It was actually very nerve-wracking, I mean, just
the fact that we would get to play on the same stage with them. But it
worked out well. I think we even got a standing ovation in some of the
shows we've done with them. They're really nice people and it was an honor
to be able to tour with them.
'Sick' encounter
And the worst live experience? (Everyone laughs)
Caroline: Oh, please, don't remind me!
Andrea: Okay, this was in the beginning when we were really, really
desperate to get a break in Britain. I mean, this was our neighbor
and we would try all the time to break in, but it would not happen. So
once there was this radio show that had a party and we played. Everyone
in the place was drunk and no one was listening. We got off the stage feeling
horrible. You know, it was like when you are playing the piano in a hotel
lobby and no one's really listening. We just felt really, really bad. And
the place was filled with roaring drunks.
Caroline: And then one of the radio people was so drunk, he got sick
in my hair! (Andrea giggles)
While you were playing?!
Andrea: No, after.
Caroline: It was sooo disgusting! I mean, I was mad that I was up on
stage in that situation. Anyway, I was so mad that we were playing for
these people who wouldn't listen, who weren't even interested in us, and
then they got sick in my hair. That was just…(Makes a face that makes everyone
laugh) It was just all of a sudden… gross!
Last question: Any guilty pleasures?
Andrea: (Eyes widen) Guilty pleasures?
Caroline: Wine.
Sharon: Yes, we all love wine.
Andrea: Yeah, I would say really good red wine. I love red wine.
And then get sick all over your sister's hair?
Andrea: (Laughs) No, not sick like that, no!
Jim: Red wine is nice.
Lots of guitars for you, Jim?
Jim: No I don't, actually. I don't collect guitars. Actually I don't
really have new ones. But anyway, I have guitars that have this distinct
sound, but not a million guitars.
After signing a CD, The Corrs were escorted out of the room and to
the café where a press conference would be held. More than 200 media
people and fans were waiting, not counting those in the hotel lobby.
They were rushed to a service elevator, which they said was not needed.
"We're not superstars, why can't we go the normal way?" they asked.
How we wish all "rock stars" were like them.
The end.
60 Minutes Interview Transcript
Sharon: Yeah, we’ve had our difficulties over the years, we’ve certainly
had a hell of a lot of petty rows and a hell of a lot of huge rows as well.
Interviewer: Sharon Corr, the violinist, 31, just married, they say
she’s the peacemaker.
S: And we found great difficulty trying to achieve a sense of space,
a sense of individuality, a sense of having your own identity and still
being part of this. Also you see a lot of family bands, and it’s generally
not good....
I: Yeah, the Jacksons are weird, the Gallaghers can’t stay in the same
hotel...
S: I mean, they don’t talk to each other, they can’t stay in the same
hotel, it’s particularly nasty.
I: So how do you resolve conflict when it does come up?
Jim: Baseball bats (laughter), we try a little bit of democracy, if
that doesn’t work we resort to the lowest tactics possible (more laughter).
I: Jim Corr, 37, guitarist, he and younger sister Andrea share a wicked
sense of humour.
Andrea: Violence is the only real way, and you know, when you’re smaller
or weaker than somebody you find quite devious ways to be violent! (laughter)
I: Andrea Corr, the sultry singer voted most beautiful woman in the
world, the baby of the band and who at 26 still sucks her thumb.
I: This one’s hardcore, drummer Caroline completes the quartet, currently
on their first tour down under since their mother Jean’s unexpected death
18m months ago.
Caroline: She was just very sick, she got something that was very rare,
fluke, really a fluke...
I: At 57, Jean Corr died while waiting for an urgent lung transplant.
A: And you know, it made us stronger, I think we stopped having our
silly rows, that’s for sure. We have faith, we know, you know, Mammy was
very very unwell, it wasn’t a happy way to live – we believe in God, we
believe in heaven, and we believe she’s there.
I: As part of the healing, the Corrs performed a benefit concert for
Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, England where their mum died. Dad Gerry
spoke from the heart:
Gerry: I think Jean would have wanted it, which is marvellous, you
know, for all of us its a great night, for Newcastle it’s a great night.
I: The pulling power of the Corrs paid for a new wing at the hospital
for people with lung disease.
J: Well, you know, you endeavour to try and turn something very negative
into something positive, and they’ve decided which is very nice of them
to actually call that wing, to name it after our mother, Jean Corr.
I: Jean inspired the kids to take up music as fresh faced teenagers,
they simply copied mum and dad, who played Abba and Fleetwood Mac covers
in the local pubs and clubs.
C: I mean when I look back on it now, we thought we were in the normal
family, but actually we were kinda strange because we had two parents that
went out at the weekend and played music.
I: And their now legendary story fact followed fiction.
- Commitments clip -
I: The Corrs first formed a band to audition for the movie “The Commitments”.
Andrea scored a small role as the kid sister of Jimmy Rabbite, the band
leader. Then in a local club their Irish influenced pop caught an influential
air; they were invited to perform in America in front of the Kennedys,
and their manager seized the chance to stake out Michael Jackson’s producer.
S: And we sat in the lobby, of the studio, and he came out and you
know, John said, you know we could play for you, do you want to hear it,
and we played Forgiven Not Forgotten around the piano and we were signed
the next day.
I: Music... good looks... which one do you think got you through the
door that day?
J: The whole package, it has to be.
A: We got a listen, but the music had to do the rest, you know.
S: You can audition gorgeous looking girls and put them on stage and
give them music, but you know, that wasn’t his thing so... we got in the
door, but if we didn’t play, we didn’t get anywhere.
I: The raw ingredients, talent, good looks, the twist: that they’re
one family, add image makers, some professional polish, and hey presto,
household names.
Michael Dwyer, Melbourne based senior writer for Rolling Stone Magazine:
I think they make great music which is innocuous and comfortable, very
difficult to dislike, they look fantastic, and they’re obviously competent
and very professional and they work very hard. It’s as simple as that,
it’s a formula it’s a package, but it works.
Well, Irish music has got a great capacity for representing authenticity,
it’s something Bonno’s flippantly described as three chords of the true,
this is the pursuit of your classic Irish group. I hear the three chords
with the Corrs, I don’t hear a lot that’s going to resinate very long beyond
the next single.
A: I do understand why people are more cynical these days and think
a lot of things are really contrived. It starts to get more business and
marketing than music.
I: The Irish element’s a big crowd pleaser, but lately there’s been
criticism that the Irish sound is diluted these days.
I: You’ve been working with Mutt Lange and the accusation that’s been
made is that he took the country out of Shania, and the Irish out of the
Corrs.
A: What we do is what we’ve decided to do, what we write is what naturally
comes to us and if Irish doesn’t fit, we’re not going to put it in for
patriotic reasons, what’s that about?
S: People expect me to come in with a middle __?___[suggestions here?!]
and it’s very Irish - if I do that for the rest of my life on every single,
I’ll get so BORED! Not only that, I’m capable of more than that, I mean,
my background is classical.
I: Sound check, the afternoon of their Sydney concert, drumming takes
it’s toll on Caroline’s hands, glamour gives way to sticking plasters and
gloves.
They’re one of the hardest working bands in the world, on the road
for up to 9 months a year. Tempers could easily fray, but the Corrs
value their reputation for being nice.
On a ferry crossing from Scotland to Ireland, while seasick and nursing
an ear infection, Andrea showed that fans rule.
A: I was really sick, and sick bags and all that kind of thing... and
so I’d come out of the bathroom, drained, just absolutely miserable and
this woman’s there going “oh you got sick....” and then she goes “you wouldn’t
mind signing me an autograph for my daughter” and I went “yeah, yeah, I’ll
just finish washing my hands first shall I?” (laughter). And she goes “oh,
I feel terrible when you’re sick - you wouldn’t mind doing two, would ya,
for my son as well!”
I: A little known Corrs kiwi connection, this video clip (WCID) was
shot in Canterbury on tour here in 1997 [it was 98!].
C: It was a really strange video, we were like in front of this kind
of church was it or was it a building or something...
I: A church.
C: Church and ah...
A: Having a bath in your clothes, with no water on the top of a hill....
we do that at home!
I: Same tour they remember Auckland for being without power during
the power crisis.
S: So it took us about three hours to get a generator sorted out and
actually get to do the show, and by that time the crowd were absolutely
plastered, drunk, and it was a brilliant show, because they just hackled
us all night, and it was just, it was really great fun!
I: Sharon returns to New Zealand a married woman, the first to wed,
she tied the knot in July with long term love of her life, Gavin Bonnar.
I: Does hubby come on the road - where’s hubby now?
S: Hubby has a job! (laughs), he’s... he’s a barrister...
I: What’s that like - being away from him touring so much of the time?
S: Very difficult, it is, it’s very difficult, it’s very strange, because
I think I’m going to go back home in a few weeks and go “hello, who are
you, didn’t I marry you last month?” you know...
I: What about babies?
S: Babies.... oh god I think em...
J: I like them, but I can’t eat a whole one! (laughter)
S: Em, babies are very important, I think, but we take things as they
come, they’re a gift...
I: If there are babies, they could be third generation Corrs.
A: We’d have dressing rooms for the babies, you know, and then we’d
teach them instruments so they can start their own family band.
I: The Corrs have made it, but a marriage and possibly babies in the
future could signal changes ahead. Andrea recently dabbled in the movies
a part in Evita.
- Evita clip -
She played along side Madonna.
I: What was she like?
A: To be very honest I was scared I’d be very intimidated by her, so
I kinda kept - I really kept to myself actually, and just did what I had
to do, she seemed nice... but we didn’t turn into buddies or mates or anything,
no!
I: And for now the Corrs are sticking to their core curriculum: music.
J: We’ll basically keep going until we lose, if that ever happens,
our love of what we’re doing, and the crowd get sick of us.
S: I think I’d like to leave before they got sick of us! (laughter)
A: What about the fact that the public are already sick of us and have
been for four years?! (more laughter)
End of interview.