Jennifer Rush is coming to SA

The song has become a classic and had resounding success with cover versions by Laura Branigan, Celine Dion and Air Supply. To celebrate this milestone, the international superstar will be touring Southern Africa with a series of concerts in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe later this year.

Rush has hired an all-South African band to join her on stage. “I’ve always wanted to work with South African musicians, and figured why not now? I selected all the musicians online and am currently in the country for rehearsals.”

This will add a new twist to her iconic 1980s music, but she admits that performing the same songs year after year can become monotonous. “I like to change the arrangements, keep things fresh and exciting,” says Rush.

“Otherwise, it can really drive you insane. It’s great when you meet people who speak the same language as you on stage and I am really happy with the selection I’ve made.” Although Rush has never felt obligated to stick to one particular genre, she acknowledges the fans get what they want.

“If someone is happy with what you’ve written, then great. You keep making them happy,” she says. But she experiments with different genres, saying: “I still love all kinds of music and will continue writing in my own time. It also helps me grow as an artist because that’s important, to keep growing.”

SUPERSTAR. Singer-songwriter Jennifer Rush heads to SA. Pictures: Michael Reh

Looking back at fans’ mass hysteria in the 1990s, she says: “Things have definitely calmed down since then. Let me be honest, I don’t need to do this. I do it because I love it. When I hear the voices of my audience singing together to my songs, that’s what turns me on.

“As long as the tickets are selling, I will keep performing.”