British pop legend Sir Cliff Richard is marking his 65th year in music with a cinema concert – The Blue Sapphire Tour – which will be screened across Australia, including Canberra, on February 7 and 11. 

Recorded at the iconic Hammersmith Apollo in London, Cliff performs hits from across his unrivalled eight-decade career, including Move It, Wired For Sound, The Young Ones and many more.

In this syndicated interview, Sir Cliff remembers his Australian tours and reveals what audiences can expect to see. 

Q: This year marks your 65 th year in the music industry. Could you ever have imagined reaching such an immense level of success at the beginning of your career?

A: I have been incredibly fortunate to have had such an amazing career to date. I’ve sold well in excess of 250 million albums around the world, which was beyond my wildest dreams 65 years ago! I am eternally grateful for my wonderful fans in Australia – they have also given me 12 top 10 records and even a #1 single over the years.

You, of course, had an incredible career on screen. Was it important to you to celebrate such a huge milestone on the silver screen?

Hugely important! I’ve starred in many films throughout the years, the first being Serious Charge in 1959 – the same year I released my debut album! Cinema has also given me one of my biggest hits. The Young Ones was released in 1962, it was taken from the film of the same name and was #1 in Australia that same year! So cinema is very important to me, it’s been a massive part of my career and it has been amazing to watch how it has evolved over the years. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my fans in Australia would be watching my concert on the silver screen 65 years on – just incredible.

What can audiences expect from Cliff Richard: The Blue Sapphire Tour?

All of my greatest hits, as well as some of my favourite songs from recent years. I perform songs from all eight decades of my career, from Living Doll and Summer Holiday to Wired For Sound and Devil Woman. 

I also perform tracks from my most recent album Cliff With Strings – My Kinda Life, as well as some of the songs I write about in my new book A Head Full of Music.

In-between songs I chat about my career throughout the years, and there’s even a couple of surprises exclusively for cinema audiences!

What can you tell us about that?

I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil anything for audiences! But there will be some never-seen-before footage exclusive to cinemas.

What was it like recording the concert at the Hammersmith Apollo in London?

It was a wonderful, full circle moment for me. My first concert at the Hammersmith Odeon was in 1979, so to be back there celebrating 65 years in the industry was very special. We played six nights in total there and recorded the concert, and what a marvellous six nights they were!

Performing on that stage brought back so many amazing memories from across the years. I hope my Australian fans will enjoy watching it just as much as I enjoyed recording it.

How have your concerts changed over the years?

The spirit of my concerts haven’t changed in 65 years. I still love performing for my fans with a live band, and I love performing songs from throughout my career. Technology has changed the way I perform – in some ways it has made it easier and improved the experience for the audience with incredible lights and better sound quality. It has also made it possible for audiences in Australia to experience a concert I performed in London, which I think is a great thing.

Do you have any favourite memories of performing in Australia?

Australia is a beautiful country and I love performing there. My first tour of the country in 1961 was one to remember – I performed in five different venues in all corners of Australia. 

Another highlight was performing at the iconic Sydney Opera House in 1973. I feel so very lucky to have returned so many times throughout the years, singing in some of Australia’s most incredible venues, so it’s amazing that my fans down under can now experience my concert from the comfort of their local cinema.

Cliff Richard: The Blue Sapphire Tour will be coming to cinemas around Australia, including Canberra, on February 7 and 11.

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