Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — German singer-composer-producer Thomas Anders, part of the duo Modern Talking, an 80s European pop band, was surprised with the friendliness of Vietnamese people when he arrived in Việt Nam yesterday morning.

The singer, in the country for his debut Viet Nam show tonight, talked with local media a few hours after his arrival.

Before coming to Hà Nội, he had learned a little about the capital because he sometimes visits a Vietnamese restaurant named Hanoi in his home of Koblenz.

“I was impressed by the warm hospitality and friendliness of Vietnamese people I met at that restaurant. Although I’ve just been here in Hà Nội for a few hours, I’m really moved by what I’ve seen and received from all of you. You are extremely friendly,” Anders said.

At the press conference, the singer, who is on a world tour, discussed his relationship with his former bandmate Dieter Bohlen.

“We used to be friends with each other, but at the moment, we are just two business partners as we co-operate a company together, which mainly manages the sale of our music as well as the copyright of the ‘Modern Talking’ trademark,” he said.  

At the show tonight, Anders will perform the song You’re My Heart, You’re My Soul – the single that rocketed him and Bohlen to remarkable success in early 1985.

The show will also feature several of the band’s other hits, including You Can Win If You Want, Cheri, Cheri Lady, Brother Louie, Geronimo’s Cadillac, and Atlantis Is  Calling.

The singer said he always tried to bring freshness to each old song whenever he performed.

“Audiences everywhere always want me to sing You’re My Heart, You’re My Soul, and I have sung that song for 32 years. Of course, I don’t want to keep singing in the same style for such a long time. Instead, I try to make it fresher by refreshing my style or with modern mixing,” he said.  

A talented composer, who has enjoyed a triumphant solo career after splitting-up with Bohlen in 1987 and again in 2003, Anders will also delight the Hanoian audience with his own compositions.

“About one fourth of the repertoire will be my own pieces,” he revealed.

At the meeting yesterday, Anders also received admiration from his fans, who were waiting outside the conference venue to give him gifts, including flowers and paintings of the singer. Others brought old LPs to get Anders’s signature.

Modern Talking – Thomas Anders Live in Concert, brought to Việt Nam by IB Group and VPBank, will take place at the Mỹ Đình National Convention Centre tonight and tomorrow. — VNS