Renato Carosone Italian musician Date of Birth: 03.01.1920 Country: Italy

Biography of Renato Carosone

Renato Carosone, one of the greatest figures in the Italian music scene of the second half of the 20th century, was a contemporary interpreter of traditional Neapolitan songs. He gained worldwide fame with his composition "Tu vuò fà l'americano", which was featured in several films, including the drama "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999).

Born on January 3, 1920, in Naples, Italy, Renato Carosone was the eldest of three children in his family. He began learning to play the piano at a young age at the Naples Conservatory, encouraged by his father. Carosone obtained his diploma from the conservatory in 1937, at the age of only 17.

After graduating, Carosone signed a contract with a band leader and embarked on extensive tours in East Africa. When the company he was with ceased to exist, Carosone continued working as a pianist in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Massawa, Eritrea, where he gained recognition within the local music circles.

During World War II, Carosone served in the Italian forces in Somalia, which was under Italian protectorate at the time. After the war, he performed with various orchestras, met his future wife, got married, and returned to Naples in 1946.

Despite his success abroad, Carosone remained relatively unknown to the Italian public. He had to start his career from scratch, playing the piano in small dance halls. These performances were heavily influenced by the new rhythms and styles he had encountered overseas.

Although Carosone's father, the impresario of Teatro Mercadante, wanted him to stay in Naples, Carosone moved to Rome, hoping to establish himself in the music industry. In 1949, he was offered the opportunity to form a group for the opening of a new night club.

After auditions, Carosone signed contracts with Dutch guitarist Peter Van Wood and Neapolitan drummer Gegè Di Giacomo. This marked the birth of the "Trio Carosone," which later became a quartet with the addition of Hungarian musician Elek Bacsik, who played guitar, bass, and violin. However, Van Wood and Bacsik eventually left the group to pursue solo careers, and new musicians joined, solidifying the band's permanent lineup.

In the 1950s, Carosone's popularity grew, and his orchestra became highly sought after in Italy and abroad. His song "Torero," written specifically for performances in Spain, topped the American charts for 14 weeks. The song was translated into 12 languages, and there were dozens of cover versions recorded in the United States alone.

On January 5, 1957, Carosone and his group embarked on a successful American tour, starting with a concert in Cuba and culminating in a triumphant performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Several of Carosone's hits were the result of his fruitful collaboration with poet Nicola Salerno, including "O suspiro," "Torero," "Tu vuò fà l'americano," "Mambo Italiano," "Caravan Petrol," "Pigliate 'na pastiglia," and "O Sarracino."

In 1958, Carosone launched his own record label, Stereo Dischi. At the peak of his fame, in 1960, he announced his retirement from the music industry. In his statement, he expressed his difficulty in adapting to new musical directions that emerged during that time.

His decision sparked outrage, and some fans speculated that he had encountered legal troubles. However, Carosone turned to other forms of art, particularly painting and the study of classical music.

After fifteen years of silence, on August 9, 1975, Carosone made his comeback on the music scene with a televised concert. From then until the late 1990s, he performed numerous live concerts, participated in the Sanremo Music Festival, and made television appearances.

Renato Carosone passed away on May 20, 2001, in his home in Rome, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential figures in Italian music history.