If Hootie and the Blowfish ring a bell, the name Darius Rucker may also ring a bell. After great success in the 90s with his pop rock band, the southerner returned to his roots and became a country musician.
Darius Rucker Boulevard in Charleston leads from the stadium to the international highway. The four-lane road is named after the city's most famous citizen. "I could hardly believe it when I heard about it," recalls Darius Rucker. However, the country musician from South Carolina is a loyal soul. "I've lived in Charleston my whole life and have given back to the community as much as I can." And the port city is proud of the singer.
In 1989, Rucker, now 50, founded the band Hootie and the Blowfish with three fellow students. Their debut album "Cracked Rear View" hit like a bomb. It achieved diamond status and was the best-selling record of 1995 in the USA. Anyone who listened to bands such as Soul Asylum or Aerosmith in the 90s could not ignore Hootie and the Blowfish. The two top hits and sing-along anthems "Hold My Hand" and "I Only Wanna Be With You" still reverberate today. After three albums, their success waned. Nine years ago it was over.
Darius Rucker embarked on his solo career. As a country musician. How did he change his mind? "Even as a child, I wanted to play country music. I loved the music of Kenny Rogers or Charley Pride. After the band broke up, I was finally ready." Listening closely to the Hootie and the Blowfish hit "Let Her Cry", the change of style comes as no surprise. The pop ballad already sounds pretty country-like.
Darius Rucker then hit the jackpot with the first single in the newly chosen genre. "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" became a number one hit. A moment steeped in history. Since 1983, the Southerner was the first African-American to get a song into the top ten of the country charts. Only Rucker's idol Charley Pride had managed that before. According to the singer, there are now more dark-skinned country musicians, but the style of music is still the business of the whites.
Despite his continued success, even he is criticized. "From both white and black people", as the country star emphasizes. "They ask me what I'm doing in this style." But Darius Rucker doesn't care what people say. "I hope I'm a role model for other African-American country musicians." On March 5, Darius Rucker will be making a stop at the Kaufleuten in Zurich as part of his world tour. For all fans of Hootie and the Blowfish: a reunion is not out of the question! "We've talked about it. Maybe in 2019. After all, we're still friends and sometimes meet up for a jam session."
