Lars Ilmer
Four our category „Modern Talking Band“, we asked Lars, to answer us some questions, so that the fans can get to know him better. Dear Lars, thank you, for taking some time for us!
Date of Birth:
Place of living:
Family:
Instrument:
Hobby:
4th of Februar
I am living in the beautiful Federal State Brandenburg, not far away from Berlin.
I have got two wonderful children, a boy and a girl – more a young woman now ;-)!
Guitar
Sports, Soccer
TAO:
How long do you play in the Modern Talking Band and how did you came to the band?
Lars:
Since the reunion in 1998 I am playing the guitar at Modern Talking. In the 90s, I played in a Berlin Rock’n’Roll, Oldie-Coverband. At this time I met the former drummer of Blue System, Michel Rollin(who was drummer for Modern Talking later on).In 1996, he brought me to Blue System, where I was guitarist, until the reunion 1998 and where I met the future keyboarder of Modern Talking, Fritz Graner…That’s how I got from a band member of Blue System to the guitarist of Modern Talking….Oh my god, in May 2014, I am the guitarist of Thomas Anders and member of the Modern Talking band for 16 years now… ;-)!
Solo Lars Ilmer - Koszalin Juli 2013 © Thomas Anders Online
TAO:
How did you witness the second ending of Modern Talking and what was your intention to play further with Thomas?
Lars:
As known, the ending of Modern Talking, was announced by Dieter Bohlen on a concert in Rostock, Germany….I was there… and the last concert in the Berlin Wuhlheide was a real freaky event for
me…it was a “good bye” to a special, nice, exciting ad intense time. But as you all may know, with the last note in the Wuhleide, a new exciting, intense and nice time began…with the Gentleman of
Music…and this is still lasting on, unhindered!!!
TAO:
Who decides about the process of a show and by what criteria do you choose the songs?
Lars:
Normally the chef decides (so Thomas), what we have to play. Everyone is free to make suggestions for old and new songs.
TAO:
How often do you do rehearsals together, before a program is ready?
Lars:
We don’t do general or frequent rehearsals. If we have a new program or play some single new songs, everyone has the duty to practice on his own first, so that he can play his part. When we have the soundcheck we play it all together.
TAO:
Are there things, which are „disturbing you“sometimes?
Lars:
What is disturbing me? (from time to time)..So, sometimes the traveling is really hard, especially through many time zones. Berlin - Abu Dhabi - Kuala Lumpur – Abu Dhabi – Berlin in four days or
Berlin – St. Petersburg – Almaty – St. Petersburg – Berlin in three days and often without much sleep…this is exhausting...but you cannot talk about “disturbing”…we all are a little bit crazy and
we love our job. And the fans and people, who are watching us, are always happy and celebrate…that recovers a lot.
TAO:
Do you have other engagements, aside of Thomas Anders and the MT Band?
Lars:
Right now I am only playing for Thomas.
Video © Sergey Belyk - Thank you for sharing!
TAO:
What was the most beautiful experience regarding the Band?
Lars:
I had many, many beautiful experiences on tour and on single shows. I don’t know, which one I should highlight. No question, the MT-Tour in 1998 was one of the biggest, most beautiful and most exciting experiences, that I made within my musician life. Unbelievably intense, many new impressions, sold out concerts and gooseflesh all the time… ;-)
TAO:
In the last years, you mostly played abroad. Are there differences between the audiences in the different countries?
Lars:
The most wonderful thing on music is, that it connects people all around the world, no matter, where they are coming from. If we have fans from Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Malta, Norway, Mongolia etc, there is no difference at all. The people are dancing and celebrating everywhere, we have fun….they are singing along with us :) and everywhere you have so many flowers for Thomas….;)
Thank you for your emotions, experiences and encounters! Thank you for your time!
