As always, Julio Iglesias speaks the language … of love

By John Katsilometes

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 | 7:30 p.m.

Julio Iglesias speaks the international language of love, which is a good thing, because his rich Spanish accent is not always conducive to clear English expression.

How we started a recent phone conversation.

Julio Iglesias: “How is it you pronounce your last name?”

The Kats Report: “Cat-sell-OH-meet-us. The thing to remember is, it doesn’t rhyme with Wheaties.”

Julio: “It is Greek? You are Greek, then?”

TKR: “Half.”

Julio: “You speak Greek?”

TKR: “I don’t, sorry.”

Julio: “I was hoping to do the interview in Greek!”

TKR: “We’ll have to stay with English.”

Julio: “Sometimes people have a difficult time understanding my English.”

TKR: “We’ll make it through.”

Julio: “We will!”

And we did. Julio Iglesias is back in Las Vegas -- or, rather, Henderson -- for a performance Saturday night at Green Valley Ranch’s Grand Events Center. He’s sold out, too. Not in the artistic sense, though few have moved more music than the 66-year-old balladeer, but in the ticket sales sense. Even so, additional tickets will be put on sale Saturday morning (tickets are $34.95, $44.95, $59.95 and $69.95, not including fees). Go to the GVR Web site for information.

Rightfully, Iglesias’ image for decades has been that of a warm, romantic vocalist, a dexterous duet partner of such contemporary legends as Willie Nelson (in the oft-imitated “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before”), Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder, Art Garfunkel, Paul Anka, Placido Domingo, Sting, The Beach Boys and Luciano Pavarotti.

Iglesias has formalized the duet in his personal life, too, marrying his longtime girlfriend, Miranda Rijnsburger, on Aug. 20 in Marbella, Spain. Only their five children and two witnesses were in attendance, and afterward the party attended Mass at Iglesias' property near Malaga, Spain.

Amid that activity, Iglesias is working on a new album, expected this spring, titled, “Numero 1,” a befitting title as he is the No. 1-selling Latin artist in history. During his more than 40-year career, Iglesias has sold more than 300 million albums. He has issued a total of 79, and has recorded 20 languages (including Greek, but not including sign), an unmatched feat that prompted officials with Guinness World Records to award him a Diamond Disc nearly 20 years ago.

Yet, Iglesias records and tours as if he were closer to 26 than 66. Why?

“I love it,” he says. “I love the intimacy of the audience. I love intimacy, always, of performing.”

What was unexpected, over the course of a 20-minute chat, is that Iglesias is a playful subject, quick to joke, and quick to point out that he’s joking in case you might have missed the joke. Excerpts from the exchange:

TKR: “First, congratulations on the marriage. I do need to ask, though, why did you wait 20 years to finally marry your girlfriend? What was the catalyst for that?”

Julio: “It was a question of money (laughs)! Not really! I said, ‘We just have to get naked and get married (laughs)! But we are finally with five kids, so why not? We already were married in our hearts and in front of our kids, but they were being asked about it, so we are married for our kids. We are very happy, and it was not very expensive. We paid nothing (laughs)!”

TKR: “Did you have butterflies?”

Julio: “I had butterflies in my brain (laughs)! But it was a very liberating feeling in my life, and we share a very good philosophy of love. It’s just a little paper in reality, being married, but at the end of the story, in the eyes of my kids and my wife, it made it much more real. It was something that was needed. It was like a miracle, yes.”

TKR: “You’ve played Las Vegas hundreds of times over the years. You must like it here, eh?”

Julio: “I do. I played over 600 shows at the old Circus Maximus (at Caesars Palace), a great old showroom. I’ve played a lot in Las Vegas in my life. The food is great, I have five lovers every week …”

TKR: “Five lovers?”

Julio: “Not really!”

TKR: “A lot of your contemporaries have found the city to their liking.”

Julio: “A lot of people who are very much involved in music and entertainment have grown up singing there through the years. It’s an incredible place, a beautiful place, very comfortable. I have played more than 60 countries, but still, my memories are there in Las Vegas.”

TKR: “I know that you’ve played the L.V. Hilton previously, too.”

Julio: “And in 1979, when I first came there, I was at Bally’s when it was the MGM Grand. Then to Caesars Palace for 20 years. And Green Valley, which is a beautiful place. I don’t want to play the same place each time. It’s like being with different women, you know (laughs)?”

TKR: “You keep coming back to that.”

Julio: “I enjoy women (laughs).”

TKR: “You’re working on a new album right now?

Julio: “I’m actually calling you from the studio in the Caribbean.”

TKR: “How’s it coming along?”

Julio: “It is a lot of work. I’m tired of being in the studio. It is not good for a man of my age.”

TKR: “I’ve seen some photos, and you still look pretty young. Care to disclose your secret?”

Julio: “I have the best surgeons in the world (laughs).”

TKR: “Is there anything about you that you’d like people to know?”

Julio: “Just, please let my sense of humor come out!”

TKR: “You have my word.”

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.