Styrian Markus Illko

Grammy winner: “I am an Austrian with heart & soul”

Grammy triumph: Markus Illko and band colleague Janet Robin rejoice in Los Angeles.(Bild: VALERIE MACON / AFP / picturedesk.com)

Markus Illko from Kapfenberg was awarded the Grammy in Los Angeles on Sunday night for his cover version of the Johnny Cash classic "Folsom Prison Blues". On his way back from the Grammy after-show party, the 42-year-old told Krone+ how it feels, why he was allowed to play Cash's old guitar and which place he has reserved for the trophy.

Krone: Hand on heart: Did winning the Grammy Award on Monday night in Los Angeles fulfill a lifelong dream for you? 
Markus Illko: Everything is "high life" for me at the moment. I'm very, very euphoric and have a lot of positive feelings inside me. We have worked incredibly hard for this. The Grammy is an award that is presented by musicians, composers and previous winners. To be honored by this community is a great honor. The nominees in our category included Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (for the cello version of "Paint It Black" from the Netflix series "Wednesday") and Ludwig Göransen with "Can You Hear The Music" from the Hollywood hit "Oppenheimer". I'm proud to be able to say that we beat the Rolling Stones. A lifelong dream? Phew, at least I don't feel so bad (laughs).