For Michael Bublé, the path to global stardom was paved long before he took the stage—thanks to the influence and encouragement of his beloved grandfather. The Grammy-winning crooner recently reflected on the family roots that have shaped his career, recalling how his grandfather not only introduced him to jazz, but also predicted the very legacy Bublé would go on to build.
“He always said I’d carry the torch for the greats,” Bublé shared. “Every time I perform, I feel like I’m honoring him.”
A Grandfather’s Influence
Bublé’s grandfather, a plumber by trade and a passionate music enthusiast, was the one who opened his world to the timeless sounds of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Ella Fitzgerald. It wasn’t just a matter of sharing records—he believed in his grandson’s talent and did everything he could to support it. In fact, he famously bartered his plumbing services for Bublé’s first stage gigs at local clubs, ensuring that Michael had every opportunity to share his voice with the world.
“Those words—‘You’re going to keep these classics alive for the world’—have guided me my whole life,” Bublé recalled. “My grandfather believed in me long before anyone else did.”
Carrying the Torch
Bublé’s career, which took off with his major-label debut in 2003, has seen him sell more than 75 million records worldwide and earn comparisons to the very legends his grandfather so loved. With hits like “Feeling Good,” “Sway,” and “Haven’t Met You Yet,” he has brought jazz standards and swing back into the mainstream, appealing to new generations while paying tribute to the classics.
For Bublé, though, it’s about much more than the music. “When I walk on stage and sing those songs, I hear his voice in my head,” he said. “It’s not just about the notes or the melodies—it’s about love, family, and keeping a promise I made.”
A Living Tribute
Fans of Bublé often remark that his concerts feel more like celebrations of a cherished tradition than simple performances. That, he says, is exactly how his grandfather imagined it would be. “He wanted me to remind people that these songs are eternal,” Bublé said. “And I’m proud to keep that alive—for him, and for everyone who still believes in the magic of the classics.”
Through every note and every encore, Michael Bublé continues to honor not just the legends of jazz and swing—but the grandfather who saw it all coming, and who made sure the world would too.
