Ever wonder what your favorite player is turning up to 11 in the car? Curious which rock star he’d like to hang out with?
Then join Jon Langford, bass player for The Chevin, for his series of Q&As with Major League Soccer’s biggest stars.
This week’s deejay, ahead of this weekend's heavyweight bout with the Seattle Sounders, is LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane.
MLSsoccer.com: What was the first single you ever bought?
Keane: The first song I bought with my own money was the Fugees’ “Killing Me Softly.” Remember that song? That was great.
MLSsoccer.com: Who is most responsible for shaping your musical tastes?
Keane: My dad. He was a singer, so I was brought up on music.
MLSsoccer.com: What kind of stuff did he sing?
Keane: He sung rock ‘n’ roll, kind of like Rod Stewart, stuff like that. He played on the pub circuit in Ireland.
MLSsoccer.com: Do you sing yourself?
Keane: Yeah, I love singing! Only after a few drinks though, then I think I can sing.
MLSsoccer.com: What was the first concert you ever went to and what are your memories of it?
Keane: My dad’s probably, but that was more kind of in pubs. If we’re talking about famous people, I went to see The Corrs when I was young and I think that was the first. I’ve been to loads, but I prefer small, intimate shows, especially in Ireland.
MLSsoccer.com: What’s your favorite kind of music?
Keane: I like everything. I like a lot of Irish music. People like Mary Black, who’s a famous Irish singer. She sang at my wedding. I like Christy Moore a lot as well.
MLSsoccer.com: Do you have a single favorite band or artist of all time?
Keane: Actually, I don’t have a favorite band because I love all music and I like everyone. I just like good songs, you know?
MLSsoccer.com: Which new artists do you like?
Keane:Mumford & Sons. I love their sound. It’s kind of Irish-y, the way they play their instruments. A few months ago I went to see them at a small place in LA called The Cat & Fiddle. They played five songs in the afternoon as a warm-up before their main show at the Hollywood Bowl. I went to that as well. They were brilliant.
MLSsoccer.com: Who has control of the stereo in the Galaxy locker room?
Keane: Everyone, really. All the lads throw their iPods on. There’s usually a lot of rap music before a game. Everyone likes it upbeat. I mean, I couldn’t be listening to “Killing Me Softly” before a game! That’s not gonna get me going, but it’s good for the car.
MLSsoccer.com: Which musicians, dead or alive, would you have over for a fantasy dinner party and why?
Keane: Well, I’m friends with [U2 singer] Bono and I’ve had him over for dinner! [laughs]
ACHTUNG, ROBBIE: U2's Bono (second from the right) is not only one of Keane's favorite musicians, but also a friend.
MLSsoccer.com: Are you a fan of his music?
Keane: Oh yeah! I love listening to his stuff.
MLSoccer.com: So, it’s you and Bono, and who?
Keane: Rod Stewart and 1980s Michael Jackson. I loved Jacko’s music, and I think he’d be an interesting character to speak to.
MLSsoccer.com: Do you have any guilty music pleasures? Is there anything that you wouldn’t care to admit you listen to?
Keane: [Laughs.] The thing is, I’m very supportive of Irish bands – bands like Westlife and Boyzone, because I know the guys. That’s probably not a very macho thing to say I listen to, but I don’t really give a [expletive].
MLSsoccer.com: Which artist would you like to see perform at halftime of the the MLS Cup final?
Keane:Beyonce. I thought she was incredible at the Super Bowl. Or Mumford & Sons.
MLSsoccer.com: What do you think of “Gangnam Style”?
Keane: [Laughs.] Well, I like it because my son, Robert Jr., loves it. He does the dance and he’s only three-and-a-half. It’s amazing how one song can grip the whole world If you actually listen to it though, there’s nothing to the song apart from when he says: “Gangnam Style.” People don’t know any other part of the song! It’s changed his life though, so fair play and good luck to him.
MLSsoccer.com: Which song should be used in a montage of your game? In other words: What’s your Rocky theme tune?
Keane: Someone did this for me when I was at Tottenham. They used one of my favorite Irish songs, “Willie McBride,” so I’ll say that one. It’s a very clever song.
