BIOGRAPHY
Born 14 February 1955 in Dudelange, I spent my childhood in Esch/Alzette and I had
my first contact with music, from the earliest age by singing in the choir of the parish St.
Henri under the baton of Mr Jos Closen.
In 1966, I went to Arlon (B) to attend the Institute of the Marist (ISMA) brothers and I
have joined the choir "Les Rossignolets of Arlon" directed then by the dear brother
Charles Lesire. I am proud and I remember, lifelong, several concerts in the Palace of
Laeken (private concerts for the Royal family - Christmas concerts), France and
Germany (Eucharistic and popular) tours, but especially the great religious service at
the St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in 1968 singing to Pope Paul VI - Festival Pueri
Cantores (6.000 young singers from around the world)
1969 back in Luxembourg I attended the College and as it did not have a choir I've
joined the “Student Marching Band” beating drums whatever was the size.
In 1970 I changed school to attend the classes of the Lycée Classique of Echternach. It is
here that "virtually" begin my 'career' as a musician/singer. Indeed the St Willibrord
boarding school had musicians among students and it creates an Orchestra under the
name of "Pentagon" that animated the masses in the Basilica of religious services for
students. Mr. Guy Welter, organist, today would say "keyboards" among Pentagon had
also established a band to animate popular balls and had invited me to integrate this
band as a front man in 1973 - the Orchestra was called then The Six Friends
(Welter Guy - keyboards, Ansey Léon - trumpet, Bernard Arsène - trombone low /guitar
- Muller Micheline - sax - alt, Stracks Armand-drums/saxophone/clarinet, Stracks
Jeannot - percussion/vocals.)
THE SIX FRIENDS alias THE PIPSI BAND
The public having frequented the gigs in Pétange as "Dancing Tornado - Mogador -
Home - Bowling etc, surely remember those nights during the 1970s."
An advertisement in media made by Mr. Claude Steichen (The Thunderbirds) who was
looking for a substituting drummer for his drummer, with a broken hand, and I had the
chance to substitute him. I had invited a friend guitarist to join us. This friend, it was
Mr. Jean-Paul Fischbach. After this period of replacement it proved that 'the
thunderbirds' would complete these activities due to the marriage of Mr. Steichen. Still
having some contracts to honor, Jean-Paul and I had decided to continue the challenge.
This was something great; initially the launch platform of the "The Blackbirds"
The blackbirds 1985
Nobody at that time could imagine that the Band "The Blackbirds" would perform for
more than 20 full years (1977-1998) for Dancing-Partys of U.S.Esch - Fraternelle
Handball - Pedal Koerich - Pavillon Gaalgebierg - Camping Gaalgebierg - Zeitung vum
Letzebuerger Vollek etc, not to mention a few 300 weddings and other private parties.
We will never forget our show in Moscow in 1981 on the occasion of an exchange of
workers of the steel companies between (in these times) Soviet Union and the workers of
the Arbed, (today Arcelor-Mittal) organized by the "Zeitung vum Letzebuerger
Vollek". Invited by this newspaper, to represent our delegation at an evening of cultural
exchange, we sang a few songs in Luxembourgish - it is clear that the public there
understood nothing and we quickly changed the shotgun from shoulder - without prior
permission - we made a show consisting of tubes of "The Beatles and The Rolling
Stones" I can't describe the reactions of the public while under the influence of the
soviet regime. We thought we are the real Beatles and Rolling Stones. It must be
remembered that at this time this kind of music was not “IN” (officially) but forbidden.
It is not a secret that my job is in the private sector bus driver and my boss knowing my
penchant for music had sent me for 2 years with our Night Liner - double deck coach
equipped with 18 beds, kitchen, living room – for various artists touring in Europe. Here
I get in touch with the real world of Show Business and sympathize with a few
superstars such as Marius Muller Westernhagen - Zuchero - John Miles - Lisa
Stansfield - Wet Wet Wet - Die Höhner - Die drei jungen Tenöre ( Nokia Night of The
Proms touring) and some groups such as Nazareth, Uriah Heep, Fury in the
sloughterhouse, DJ Bobo, etc...
These tours were from Italy to Ireland, from France to Poland. It is a period in my life I
will never forget. Indeed the last star I did office as driver was Kevin Kostner for his
concert at the “Atelier” in Luxembourg in 2010.
An unforgettable experience was the "1998 Double Trouble Tour" of the Rockband
Uriah Heep, together with the Band “Nazareth’. Uriah Heep after learning my penchant
for music have invited me every night on stage to sing together their tube "Lady in
Black" as closing vamp.
Mike Box and The Singing Bus Driver
After the dissolution of the 'Blackbirds' in 1998 and my divorce, I had a sabbatical
period and my comeback in 2008 requires a short explanation.
In 2008 for a transatlantic cruise, my current wife and I celebrated our 5 years of
marriage and with the agreement of the Captain, and in surprise for my wife I made an
ELVIS REVIVAL SHOW on the ocean cruiser “Costa Magica” - show seen by 900
people. Echo was so positive that the captain asked me to repeat the show in order to
give the possibility to the +/-3.000 passenger on board to attend also this event.
Theatre Urbino of Costa Magica displayed once more "sold out" and the show was then
broadcast live in cabins and other large rooms of the boat on the internal TV channel.
Moved by this performance my wife, when back home, encouraged me to resume my
musical activity in purchasing me complete professional equipment.
“ELVIS REVIVAL SHOW" on the Costa Magica
Also under the pulsation of my wife, in 2009 I participated in the Radio TV Luxembourg
goes for talent contest with a song of Elvis Presley - VINO DINERO Y AMOR and I've
achieved despite a cold voice, semi-final. This TV appearance has allowed me to resume
my concerts (9 concerts in 2009)
The motor of my success – Viki - my wife
In February 2010, I again participated in the Radio TV Luxembourg goes for talent
contest, but this time with a song of Engelbert Humperdinck - I must confess that
through a competent Jury especially indulgent I passed playoffs - and I was involved in
the RECALL with a song by Joe Dolan "Good Looking Woman.(thanks Joe for your
song - R.I.P.) This time, I convince the Jury (Mrs. Silvia Camarda - Pierre Dillenburg
and especially Gaston Waltzing) because I went into ½ finals. At this stage among the
TOP 20.
Wanns De Eppes Kanns - edition 2010 – ½ Final
LUXEMBOURG GOES FOR TALENTS
One of the most beautiful days of my life was March 27, 2010, when a team of RTL came
to record a broadcast portrait and ………….. to announce me having been voted by the
public into the finals of the WDEK 2010 which took place on 11 April 2010, live on RTL.
No one being champion born, nerves and especially adrenaline pushed to the maximum
for a “Live Session” on TV, I've failed to convince the general public again and finally I
completed among the "TOP 10" for 2010. I am especially proud because this ranking
shows that with music even 56 years old, I remained young.
After a show on June 22, 2010, festivities for the Luxembourg National Holiday in
Rodange, the TV channel "den DOK Kanal " offered me a show "Talk mam Jos
Roulling - with a first discussion on a Compact Disc production."
End of October took place the recording of a second "TALK & SHOW" TV show and
an interview at RADIO GUDD LAUN and the recording of my 1st CD
December 2010 entry and ranking 4th in RGL RADIO GUDD LAUN charts, with the
song "Muselwain" then 3rd and 2nd and on the classification of the year 2010 with only
4 weeks of presence I rank 14th out of 100.
For Christmas was held the recording of a third TV - "TALK & SHOW" - Christmas
Special - and I sang "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer" Also participating in this
program Stephanie - Luke Haas & Lisa Mariotto - Fabbiano Buffadini.
Great was the surprise and much thanks to the
PROSOUND & MEDIA PRODUCTIONS’ manager Steve Nilles (the recording studios)
When they announced me that in recognition of our good common work he had installed
a page on the web. Thus, on January 15, 2011 www.marcello.lu went online.
On January 19, 2011 I am invited by the Radio Station RTL, Patrick Greis on air to
present my first CD and the same day I receive a phone call from Ms. Viviane Conter
(RTL TELEVISION) who invites me too, this time for television show "20vir" on
February 01st 2011.
20 January 2011 is broadcast on channel DOK the open channel, the recording of a
show which took place on January 8, 2011 in Clemency.
During April and May 2011 I performed several times for RTL TELEVIE (association
that raises money for scientific research about Leukemia)
In 2011 I gave some 50 concerts (mostly charity concerts) and we are working on my
second CD
Then – BIG SURPRISE – I received in November 2011 an e-mail from Marlan Morse –
Medford (OR) USA – to make my show in Medford. Believe me – a dream becomes
reality – So we are working now on this show – skip the CD production – and working in
the studio to set up this show – Probably the greatest SHOW I will ever have
February 2012 - great departure via San Francisco to the concert which was held on 18
February in the presence of some 150 people invited to this evening of charity, which
was designed to raise funds for the construction of a second orphanage in Uganda.
Fabulous concert ending with a Standing Ovation and the compliments of Mr Clint
Ingebretson - a professional Elvis Presley – impersonator
Returned to Luxembourg I had the honour of being invited by RTL Radio and
Television for a documentary report of my concert in the United States. Late April,
second participation to TÉLÉVIE (charity event raising funds for medical research) in
Differdange and Schuttrange and interview on RTL Radio, as well as in TVStudio in the
evening taking phone calls from the donators
Currently I'm working on the 2nd CD which should be out at the end of 2012
Tradition already participation in Rodange (Street Sales)e - Rodange and Schifflange
Festivities for our National Holiday as well as a novelty the Rodange Fair and the
Popular Festival of Mondercange. Super was the experience participating in the
CHRISTMAS PARADE in the city of Luxembourg on 16 December 2012
Meeting old friends at the Rockhal on December 14, 2012 URIAH HEEP (15 years later)
MICK BOX – MARCELLO - TREVOR BOLDER –BERNIE SHAW - VIKI
Finaly Decmbre 22nd 2012 Live Show at the Christmas Market in my Home Town of
Esch/Alzette - presentation of the new CD - THE LEGENDS OF LAS VEGAS - a
compilation of song of artists who had shows in the main theaters/casino of Las Vegas
Visit Marcello.lu for more details
St Sylvestre 2012 – dinner-show at the Ai Due Ghiottoni Restaurant - to my delight the
Restaurant was sold out
For the 3rd time show on the cruise ship COSTA MAGICA - show attended by some
900 people - this happened on a private Mediterranean Cruise
In April, already traditional participation with a show at Eischen for TELEVIE-Day
and a Stand for the sale of gadgets TELEVIE and biscuits at Esch/Alzette operated by
my wife. A tidy sum of €500 could be harvested in favour of TELEVIE
Unfortunately I have bad news - a good friend TREVOR BOLDER - bass guitar and
vocals - at URIAH HEEP died (R.I.P Trevor)
Photo taken in December 2012 at the Rockhal in Esch
Now tradition requires, the traditional venue in Schifflange and Rodange for national
day festivities and the rummage sale
In July, show for EUROFESTIVAL 2013 - 15 nations were represented - excellent
organization
In June July we produced a song on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the signing
of the Schengen Treaty. A song performed in German by Fido Vagash. Luxembourgish
version was written and sung by myself.
A period sabbatical is announced for August an September because my teeth caused me
problems and I have submit me to an urgent intervention - Finally everything is
returned in the order (2 dental prosthetics).
Resumption of the shows planned for October 2013
last updated 18/09/2013 to follow
