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You are an amazing role model for gay men in South Africa. How does it feel to be an icon admired by so many admirers?
I am very happy if what I am, what I believe in and especially my music, can inspire people and make them proud of who they are.
Is there someone that has inspired you, and why?
Yes, a string of musicians and performers. Bach for his complexity, Elvis for his pelvis, Liberace for his showmanship, Nataniel for his professionalism and my hero, pianist Shirley Horn for her ability to make silence between notes as important as the notes themselves. Oh yes and Vin Diesel…
In the last few years there has been a confidence in your sexuality that is alluring. Tell me about this and how it has influenced your career as a performer?
I have never been ashamed of who and what I am. I think, confidence comes with age and one trusts and knows oneself so much better. If anything, people still buy tickets and send messages of support and compliments. Ultimately, an artist and performer have to be honest with themselves and the audience.
'Being different' as a teenager and during your student years were vital in your process of transformation?
One knows when one is different. The trick is to find a way to make that interesting and attractive to people. And for people to believe that and make them realize we can live and exist in different ways. Think of the beautiful movie Chocolat.
Who is man behind Rocco? The real Rocco?
The real Rocco is a combination of the "platteland" (my farm in the Free State), and my unbelievable love for the city and its offerings and lights. I like champagne and I love red wine mixed with Coca Cola. But ultimately I am a creature that was made to make music. It keeps me sane! I am completely obsessive, compulsive and love sad movies with tragic endings and lots of violins in the soundtrack. I am addicted to baked puddings and have a very, very naughty streak in me…
What makes you tick and inspires you?
Music, Bach
What in music inspires you?
That it can communicate an emotion instantly, more than any other art form.
Why Bach?
When I was little boy and had to play Bach it was the only music that made me feel when I played it, that the music pages turned sideways and became huge like a forest of music notes, and I could walk through this forest of sound.
What do you regard as your best quality?
To take my obsessions, turn them into comedy or...money!
What do you find sexy?
Baked puddings, shower, New York and red hair.
What do you do when you are not in the limelight or performing?
I gym 6 times a week, spend a lot of time on my farm, and try to visit the USA ( New York my favourite in the world) every year.
Compared to the USA, do you think South Africa is more tolerant and excepting of the gay lifestyle?
For very long I thought so and I was very optimistic, if ones look at our constitution. But what I see around me now in terms of censorship especially, I am afraid to say we are moving backwards.
How do you handle your success and fans that constantly 'stalk' you?
I feel blessed that I am successful. I work very hard! And the stalking....well!!
What does success mean to you?
That hard work pays off and that maybe I can make a difference in people's lives.
You are teaming up with a close friend and companion, Elsabe Zietsman for One Act, a show that is bound to rock our world? Tell me about this?
Elzabe and I worked together 16 years ago. WE grew up in the meantime. Had our ups and downs, but still remain the best of friends. She is a great performer and a brilliant interpreter of music and words. The show is a collection of beautiful music. No storyline, no concept, just music and the stories behind them.
Are you by nature a 'lonely drifter committed to his art' or more keen on creating a comfort zone in a secure relationship?
I am a loner, but 14 years ago I met Clive. It changed my life fundamentally and now I am not a loner anymore.
In every new show we seem to encounter a new Rocco. What is your secret?
That every show allows me to discover something new about myself. And that is so amazing about the 21st century. It is almost like the renaissance when one was allowed to be so many different things.
Your shows are always personal?
My work is also personal. Sometimes I get knocked for that, that I am ego centric. But that is what I know. I write music and speak about things and people who I find interesting, intelligent and inspiring.
Where did it all start for you? Being a musician?
I always wanted to be a pharmacist - I think it is because I am obsessive, compulsive. But music started for me when I was 3 years old. I (with the help of the garden man) broke the lock of the piano and started playing radio tunes.
Do you find that you express yourself better through music? Why?
Music of all the art forms is the quickest to create an emotion. after a couple of noted sound tells you whether it is sad, happy or funny.
A highlight in your career? Why?
Liberocco - a Liberace tribute and every performance on the Platteland.
Who is the real Rocco?
An Afrikaans boy form Harrismith who likes the shiny lights of the city.
What do you do when you are not on stage performing?
Read, work out at the gym, see friends and spend a much time as I can with my partner Clive van den Berg.
Would you agree that spending Christmas in Cape Town is the best place to be, why?
It is fantastic with the weather, the sea, mountain, sexy people. As long as one can skip the traffic.
Your future plans?
A new album, a new cocktail book and I want to spend time on my newly founded company Third Ear ( with Kulwano Masote). We write music for TV, film and museums. And I want to spend more time on my farm in the Free State
Visit Rocco's website: www.roccorocco.com
Copyright © 2008 - 2010 Daniel e. Dercksen/ The Writing Studio
Excerpts published with permission in the OUT Magazine, October 2010
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