Salvatore Cutugno
| Toto Cutugno | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Salvatore Cutugno |
| Born | 7 July 1943 |
| Origin | Fosdinovo, Italy |
| Occupation(s) |
Singer Songwriter |
| Instruments | Voice, Piano, Acoustic guitar, Drums, Saxophone, Melodica |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Associated acts | Albatros |
Salvatore "Toto" Cutugno (Italian pronunciation: [ˈtɔːto kuˈtuɲɲo]; born 7 July 1943) is an Italian pop singer-songwriter and musician. He may be best known for his worldwide hit song, "L'Italiano", released on his 1983 album of the same title. Cutugno also won the Eurovision Song Contest 1990 with the song "Insieme: 1992", for which he wrote both lyrics and music.
Toto Cutugno was born in Fosdinovo to a Sicilian father from Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto and a homemaker mother. Shortly after his birth the family moved to La Spezia (Liguria).
He began his musical career as a drummer, but later formed a band that performed his own songs. He also had cowritten for popular French-American singer Joe Dassin, contributing some of his most famous songs, including "L'été indien" ("Africa"), "Et si tu n'existais pas" and "Le Jardin du Luxembourg" (written with Vito Pallavicini). He also co-wrote Dalida's "Laissez moi danser" ("Voglio l'anima"), which became a Platinum record shortly after its release.
In 1976, Cutugno participated for the first time in the Sanremo Music Festival coming up with third place with his band Albatros with the song, Volo 504. He then won in 1980 with the song "Solo noi".
However, Cutugno's iconic 1983 song "L'italiano" ("The Italian") revived Italian folklore with the song's lyrics and a melody that provided an affirmation of the typical Italian. It was initially intended for Adriano Celentano, who declined. The song was only fifth in Sanremo but was a big hit all over the world.
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