Andris Ērglis on the Phenomenon of 'Ripoja akmens': 'I Still Don't Understand Why It Became So Popular'
Musician Andris Ērglis candidly discusses the phenomenon of his song 'Ripoja akmens', the fame it brought, the accompanying 'star disease', gambling addiction, and his return to the stage as a mentor in 'Koru kari'.
Andris Ērglis, who this spring became a mentor for the Liepaja gold choir in the show 'Koru kari', still cannot fully grasp the phenomenon of his song 'Ripoja akmens'. Released 19 years ago, the song became a massive hit, granting the musician unprecedented fame but also negative consequences: sudden popularity brought large incomes, 'star disease', and a gambling addiction that led to debts.
Ērglis laughs as he recalls a friend telling him: 'You were born with a stone and will probably live with a stone your whole life.' He admits that although the song is still relevant today, he doesn't understand why it spread so widely. He remembers moments when, entering a store, his song was playing – in the early years, people would look back at him, but now it has subsided. People approached him on the street with kind words, but some said the song had become annoying.
The popularity began in 2007 when listeners actively requested the song on radio stations. Over time, some listeners grew tired of it, as radio personality Baiba Sipeniece-Gavare also acknowledged.
Regarding his personal life, Ērglis is reserved – it is known that he is divorced, but he does not reveal details. He admits that behind today's stability lies a difficult period in the past. After 2007, a bohemian lifestyle entered his life, along with an intense work pace and sudden fame, leading to financial difficulties and debts. In a 2024 interview with magazine 'Patiesā Dzīve', he revealed that he developed a gambling addiction. He says: 'At that moment, you don't think about winning or losing – you just enjoy the process.' This led to debts, lies, and severe internal pressure. 'There were times when I had no strength left,' he says. However, he emphasizes that the support of family and close friends was crucial in helping him overcome this period.
Ērglis is now in a different role with a different outlook on life, but he remains on stage. He does not hide his satisfaction that 'Ripoja akmens' is still relevant after 19 years.
