Adamo Salvatore Belgian singer-chansonnier Date of Birth: 01.11.1943 Country: Belgium

Biography of Salvatore Adamo

Salvatore Adamo is a Belgian singer-songwriter of Italian origin, known for his chanson-style music. He was born into a mining family and in 1947, his family moved to the small Belgian town of Mons before eventually settling in various cities in Belgium. Adamo developed a passion for singing during his school years, as everyone in his family had a talent for it, and later began writing songs. At the age of 14, his grandfather gifted him a guitar, which now hangs as a cherished memento in Adamo's home in Brussels.

Adamo embraced the French language as his own, making him equally considered a French singer. In terms of culture, he belongs to France, but Italian influences have always remained present in his music. One of his favorite songs, "Lacrimae Napolitane" (Neapolitan Tears), has become a permanent part of his repertoire.

Although he did not complete his studies at the College of St. Luke in Tournai, Adamo began his career by performing "Neapolitan songs" and debuted with the album "Vous Permettez, Monsieur?" (May I, Sir, Dance with Your Daughter?). The title track of this album became a major hit. The peak of Adamo's popularity came in the 1960s, with his albums selling more than 80 million copies. He was strongly influenced by Jacques Prévert, Georges Brassens, and Italian canzonetta. In 1963, he recorded the hit song "Sans Toi mamie" (Without My Mama), while songs like "Quand Les Roses" (When the Roses) and "Dolce Paola" (Sweet Paola), and "La Filles du bord de Mer" (The Girls from the Beach) topped the charts in 1964. However, Adamo's most famous song is arguably "Tombe la Neige" (The Snow Falls), which gained popularity not only in the West but also in the East (it is considered almost like a folk song in Japan).

In 1972, Adamo embarked on his first tour to Moscow, which was a resounding success. He performed at the Luzhniki Stadium, attracting an audience of over 25,000 spectators. He also had successful performances in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and Riga. He performed three times at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York (1970, 1974, 1976). In 1977, he embarked on a triumphant tour of Latin America, including Chile and Argentina, performing in stadiums filled with thousands of fans.

Adamo has always taken an active social position and has written numerous songs that reflect important political events worldwide. In the 1990s, he continued to perform, albeit not as frequently or for such large audiences as during his peak years. One of his latest recordings, "Regards" (Glances), was released in 1998 and immediately won universal love. Adamo has held several positions in international organizations at different times, including serving as a cultural advisor to UNESCO.