WHEN tenor Mark Vincent steps onto The Gabba stage alongside some of the biggest names in world music this December, there will be one person in particular on his mind, his grandfather.
The star-studded spectacular “Carreras and Friends’, expected to draw music lovers from Ipswich and across South East Queensland, will also mark one of the final major concerts at the iconic Brisbane venue, adding another layer of significance to what promises to be an unforgettable night.
Long before national television, 12 albums and performances on some of Australia’s biggest stages, Vincent was a six-year-old singing in his grandparents’ Italian restaurant and falling in love with the soaring voices of Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Andrea Bocelli.
“Even from that age, I grew interest to that genre,” Vincent said.
His grandfather would not live to see just how far that passion would take him, passing away before Vincent auditioned for Australia’s Got Talent, but left his grandson with a final wish – that he pursue a career in music.
At just 15, the teenager from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire walked onto one of Australian television’s biggest stages, eventually winning the 2009 season and being thrust into the national spotlight.
“I was petrified,” he said. “But saying all of that, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It opened my eyes to the industry. It taught me to be resilient and to stand up for what you believe in yourself and follow your dreams.
“The hard work, the sacrifice, the knockbacks, the people that didn’t believe in you and now do – it was all worth it.”
That was driven home recently when Vincent performed at the John Farnham celebration concert, delivering a stirring rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
“When I stood on that John Farnham stage, I just had flashbacks of my childhood, listening to Whispering Jack, the greatest album of all time,” he said.
“There I am watching John Farnham on the screen and part of me is thinking, ‘How can I follow that performance, the greatest voice of all time?’ ”
Now, another deeply personal career moment awaits as Vincent will perform as part of José Carreras’ 80th birthday celebration, joining a remarkable lineup including Robbie Williams, Ronan Keating, The Corrs, Ann Wilson of Heart, Il Divo, Darren Hayes, Katherine Jenkins, Natalie Imbruglia and Sheppard.
“I feel so grateful, very honoured, very humbled,” Vincent said.
“And I’m telling you, my grandfather’s smiling from above.”
