Al Bano and Romina Power are a family duet.
These performers from Italy became famous in the USSR in the 80s, when their song Felicita (“Happiness”) became a real hit in our country.
Al Bano's early years
The future composer and vocalist was named Albano Carrisi (Al Bano Carrisi).
He became the offspring of not the most prosperous farmers from the village of Cellino San Marco (Cellino San Marco), which is located in the province of Brindisi.
Albano's parents were illiterate peasants, worked in the fields all their lives and strictly adhered to the Catholic faith.
The father of the future singer, Don Carmelito Carrisi, died in 2005.
In his entire life, he only once left his native village during the Second World War, when he was called up for military service by Mussolini.
His son was born on May 20, 1943, while Don Carrisi was in the army. The name "Albano" was chosen for the child by the father in memory of the place of his then service.
Coming from a poor class, young Albano was generously endowed with musical talent and a love of music.
He came up with his first song at the age of 15, and a year later (in 1959) he left the village of Cellino
San Marco began to work as a waiter in one of the Milanese restaurants.
After 6 years, Albano ventured to perform at a musicians' competition, where he won and eventually signed an agreement with a recording studio.
It was then, on the advice of the studio producer, that the teenager Albano turned into a singer named Al Bano - so his name looked more romantic.
Then, in 1965, Al Bano's first record appeared under the name "Road" ("La strada").
At the age of 24, the singer released the album “In the Sun” (“Nel sole”), the single of the same name from this album brought the first public recognition and introduced him to his future muse.
This composition formed the basis of the film "In the Sun", and it was on the film set that the first meeting of the musician and his chosen one took place.
Romina Power
Romina Francesca Power was born in a family of film actors on October 2, 1951. She is a native of Los Angeles.
Already in childhood, fame came to her. A photograph of her father Tyrone Power with a newborn daughter in his arms was published in many American and overseas publications.
But already after 5 years, Tyrone left his daughter and wife, and soon died of a heart attack. Romina's mother, Linda, moves to Italy with her two daughters.
The girl from childhood showed her obstinate disposition.
She accused her mother of breaking up with her father and his death, of emigrating to Europe. With age, her rebellious habits were aggravated.
Her mother, unable to overcome her daughter's violent temper, placed Romina in a closed English school.
But this did not help much - Romina's behavior there turned out to be so unacceptable that she was soon asked to leave the educational institution.
Linda, trying to direct Romina's indefatigable energy into a creative channel, signed her up for screen tests, and the girl triumphantly withstood them.
Her film debut took place in 1965 with the release of the movie "Italian Household" ("Menage all'italiana").
At the same time, Romina's first phonograph record "When the angels change feathers" ("Quando gli angeli cambiano le piume") was published.
Before meeting with the singer, the girl starred in 4 films, and all of them smacked slightly of erotica - that was the choice of her mother.
Linda often visited filming, instructed Romina - she was sure that transient youth should be used with maximum own benefit.
Marriage of Al Bano and Romina Power
16-year-old Romina was on the set of the film "In the Sun" without a mother. The director and Al Bano saw a twitchy, tired and emaciated girl, and decided to feed her properly first.
This meal marked the beginning of a romantic relationship between a musician from the hinterland and a glamorous American bride.
24-year-old Al Bano became a friend and mentor to Romina. She liked his attention, and he was flattered to patronize the girl.
Soon, the young actress forgot about cinema and completely surrendered to her relationship with the Italian singer. Her mother was shocked by the choice of her daughter, she poured icy contempt on Al Bano.
But Romina's stubborn nature did not fail, and in the spring of 1970 she informed Al Bano that he would soon become a father.
The wedding was played in Cellino San Marco in the house of Don Carrisi. Only the closest relatives and friends were invited.
Don Carrisi himself and his wife were also not happy with the choice of their son: a capricious American actress cannot become a good wife and mother!
However, Romina managed to melt this ice by convincing Al Bano's parents of her ardent devotion to her husband.
Linda was furious, she offered to dissolve the marriage, and to determine the newborn child in a closed school, isolated from her parents.
Al Bano was forced to give his mother-in-law a large bribe so that she would not interfere with the registration of marriage.
After 4 months after the wedding, Ilenia appeared. Her parents doted on her. Al Bano was ready for anything for the sake of the child, he bought a large house for the family in Puglia.
He became the true head of the family, resolute, domineering. And his previously so capricious wife resignedly submitted to her new position.
She liked to keep house and please her man.
Joint work of Al Bano & Romina Power
The peak of the duo's creative career was 1982. Even in the Soviet Union, their song "Happiness" ("Felicita") became an absolute hit. The video clip for this composition is remembered to this day by many residents of the CIS countries.
By the way, this video became the reason for gossip in the press: some media claimed that with their excellent external data
Romina compensates for her rather weak vocals, and the rather nondescript Al Bano uses her beauty as a backdrop for his performances and photo shoots.
But the artists didn't care. Their dream came true - worldwide fame came. In 1982, they recorded the song "Angels" ("Angeli"), securing their position on the Olympus of world pop music.
They traveled the world, got rich, were happy together - everything was fine.
Divorce Al Bano & Romina Power
Ramina was very displeased that their children hardly see their father and mother.
At the same time, despite his wealth, Al Bano turned out to be a stingy husband - he preferred to invest in real estate, motivating his concern for the future of the family.
In the nineties, the world of show business stirred up a sensation - Al Bano filed a lawsuit against Michael Jackson.
An Italian singer claimed that an American pop star stole his song "Swans of Balaca" ("I Cigni Di Balaca"). Based on the work, the famous hit “Will You Be There” was created.
The court took the side of the plaintiff, and Jackson had to fork out a lot of money.
However, this joy was overshadowed by terrible news. The family's first child, daughter Ylenia, disappeared in 1994 after calling her father and mother for the last time from New Orleans.
Drugs in the family of artists
Even before that, oddities began to appear in her behavior, and, apparently, drugs became their cause.
Heartbroken Romina for many years was unable to come to terms with the loss of her eldest daughter.
Al Bano consoled his wife as best he could - but a few years later he suddenly announced in an interview that Ilenia had disappeared, it seems, forever - she died.
His words became an unbearable blow and betrayal for Romina. Since then, their relationship has broken down.
The singer plunged into creativity and concerts, and Romina did not stop consulting with detectives, psychics.
As a result, she became interested in yoga and moved to India. She was disappointed in her husband.
From a talented village musician, he turned into a greedy capitalist predator, a cynical showbiz star.
He almost abandoned relations with children, became unbearably stingy and demanding.
In 1996, the singer announced the beginning of his solo career. For some time he hid the separation from the press from his ex-wife, but one day the paparazzi caught him in the company of a Slovak journalist - and everything became clear. As a result, the couple officially divorced in 1997.
Nowadays
Al Bano was officially married twice more - to the Italian Loredana Lecciso (Lordana Lecciso), who gave birth to his daughter Jasmine and son Albano, as well as to the Russian woman Marie Osokina, a student of the philological faculty of Moscow State University - there is little information about her.
Romina bought a house and lives in Rome. She no longer married, is engaged in literary work, paints pictures.
Her daughters Kristel and Romina followed in the footsteps of their parents and appear on the stage.
