An interview to jimi FITZ? I mean, I want to share one of my memories with you! So, I was just a teenager in the first grades of high school in 1984. At 15 we did not use to go dancing yet. Our passion for international pop, without internet and youtube, focused on listening to radios and watching a pioneer music show in Italy, Deejay Television. It was on air at Saturday midnight, and replied on Sunday afternoon. The opening tune was so cool, and it really marked the beginning of hours of great music and fun.
Well, I could never have guessed that one day, after more than 30 years, I would have had the chance to talk and write to that guy that I saw every Sunday afternoon, waiting for his “Audio/Video” to kick the show off!!! That’s why I feel extremely happy and honored to share with you this little interview to jimi FITZ! And please, write it strictly in small and capital letters 🙂
– First of all, Jimi, “Audio/video” is surely one of the symbols of the 80s: definitely a great song that was released exactly at the right time. In fact it was used for MTV, and for other shows. Could you tell us how this happened? I mean, did you write the song explicitly for MTV or did it happen by chance? How did you happen to write this great great hymn to music and video? ????
Thank you for your kind words Diego. I was in my studio apartment in New York City MidTown Manhattan 3AM in the morning, sitting on my bed with my portable electronic keyboard and my headphones plugged in, watching a local cable TV show. I came up with the entire song (lyrics and music) in 15 minutes, and I did not write it or even think about MTV at the time I composed it.
Everything happened so quickly after that!! Before I knew it, I was in regular rotation on MTV in the US and “DeeJay Television” in Italy!! I used to get international music magazines every week to track the chart progress of Audio/Video. It reached no. 2 behind Raf’s “Self Control”. It was a very exciting time. I was scheduled to open for Joe Cocker for a big European tour and that included Italy of course. As fate would have it, I lost both of my parents unexpectedly and did not do the tour. I still want to tour Italy in the next year or two as jimi FITZ and also with my new rock band “FAULTS OF ANDREAS”.
– Who were FITZ (and of course jimi FITZ) at those times, and who is jimi FITZ today? We know you play with… FITZ and Friends, but you are also an author, a producer, nominated in many categories at the Coachella Valley Awards! How does jimi FITZ describe … jimi FITZ? 🙂
I have had and continue to have a very exciting role in the entertainment business wearing a lot of hats. I would say “FITZ” was a combination of living in New York City and collaborating with special music brothers and sisters in New York, along with my long time collaborators in Nashville, Tennessee. FITZ explored many music genres and created with no record company interference. I have been in the music game my entire life, and I get a thrill every time I’m on stage performing or introducing other artists to my audience.
I love to collaborate with musicians and especially my talented wife WJ Rene. Wendy is an amazing lyricist and she knows how to write lyrics for me that are really me, genuine and honest. As jimi FITZ I’m exploring Blues a bit as well as my rock and roll roots. I cover some songs from the 80s as well!!
– Finally, if you had a magic wand and could go back to a specific moment in time (during the 80s of course), which day or moment in your career would you choose, and why?
The 80s were very action packed for me, with many amazing shows and memories. Playing on the same bills as James Brown and Johnny Cash were surreal experiences among others. I do have to say I was in Houston, Texas, getting ready to play the Tower Theater opening for the comedian Gallagher. We had MTV in our room and “AUDIO/VIDEO” came on between David Bowie and Flock of Seagulls. That was a heart pumping moment in time as an artist and songwriter.
In conclusion, a big big THANK YOU jimi FITZ for being so kind and nice to us! Our best wishes for your current projects! While we wait to see you in Italy, we hope that your great passion for music will make you enjoy every single note and emotion in shows with your friends for many and many years again, in front of your audience!
Finally, let’s enjoy the historical first moments of DeeJay Television in Italy. It’s 1984, Saturday midnight.
