We’re living the impossible dream
ODAY Flintshire classical duo Richard and Adam Johnson are two of classical music’s best known voices – after a barnstorming performance on Britain’s Got Talent.
But when we caught up with Richard ahead of their next UK tour with former Welsh X Factor star Rhydian Roberts, he revealed how it all began in a Morrison’s car park in Liverpool when they auditioned for the show on a whim.
The brothers were catapulted to stardom when they had all four of the judges on their feet after what has been rated one of the best auditions in the show’s history.
The pair from Holywell, who came third in the seventh series with their harmonious operatic voices, have become two of the classical world’s best-known voices.
Their debut album of covers, The Impossible Dream, went to number one for four weeks, they sold out their first UK tour, and they went on to release their fourth album, Believe, which also reached number 1 in the UK classical charts.
And that’s not to mention their performances alongside Ken Dodd and Little Mix, singing in front of 45,000 people in Hyde Park and headlining the Millennium Stadium. The boys have enjoyed huge success.
Of that very first audition in Liverpool, Richard said: “Adam and I were out one day and there was a tent in Morrison’s car park for open auditions for BGT.
“He asked if I wanted to do it and at first I said no. But he begged and begged and two hours later, we went for it.
“We sang O Sole Mio – the Cornetto song – and within two weeks we were stood in the Birmingham ICC infront of Simon Cowell.”
The haunting audition is still talked about to this day and has since been viewed 11.2 million times on YouTube.
The 26-year-old, who described it as a “major moment” for both him and his 23-year-old brother, said that was the moment he realised they have “something special”.
“It was an amazing moment but for me it was more about getting the thumbs up,” he added.
“We always sang around the house and to family and they always said how fantastic we were, but I never really believed them.
“But in that moment, we had that verification from the judges and the audience that we actually had something special.
“That was a major moment for us both.
“We had achieved the impossible dream which represents what we were trying to achieve – from there it went from one extreme to another.
“It’s great to now take the Welsh flag around the country and sing the songs we know and love.”
The sandwich maker-turnedsuperstar, who is still a huge fan of BGT, revealed who he was backing during this year’s show.
“It was a really tough one – there’s always lots of amazing acts but we really liked the young singer with the huge powerful voice who had the golden buzzer (Sarah Ikumu),” he said.
“She was absolutely brilliant – how she came in seventh place with that voice I do not know. “We backed her from start to finish. “Against what people say about the show, it has given so many people a chance to launch a career in something they love doing.
“It’s been amazing for us – it’s given the life we wanted, which is better than ever at the moment.
“Anybody out there asking themselves if it is the right thing, just go for it – win or lose, it is a fantastic experience.”
Their next UK tour – which comes to Rhyl’s Pavilion Theatre on Sunday, October 1 and to Wrexham’s William Aston Hall on Saturday, October 14 – will see the Holywell boys collaborate with operatic star Rhydian.
And the trio will incorporate some pop music into the classical show, including songs by Adele.
Richard said: “Adam and I have been learning new material – stuff from musicals as well as some of the great classics and pop songs and we’ve been looking at Adele’s new album.
“We performed at Rhyl not so long ago with Rhydian and the reception we received was absolutely fantastic.”
He added: “When we met, we just got on so well – we liked the same music, we know the same singers and we both had connections with Simon Cowell.
“It’s very rare these days to bump into a classical singer who has been on such a similar journey to us.”
The duo, who are also due to perform at Mold Carnival on Sunday, July 9, revealed they are now in discussion about a new album and are looking at doing another collaborative tour next year.
To buy tickets for the Rhydian, Richard and Adam tour, visit rhylpavilion.co.uk or go to glyndwr. ac.uk.