The Italian popular singer Massimo Ranieri has many successful roles. He is a songwriter, an actor, and a TV presenter. A few words to describe all the facets of the talent of this man is impossible. As a singer, he became famous as the winner of the San Remo Festival in 1988. The singer also represented the country twice at the Eurovision Song Contest. Massimo Ranieri is called a prominent figure in the field of popular art, which remains in demand in the present.
Childhood Massimo Ranieri
Giovanni Calone, this is the real name of the famous singer, was born on May 3, 1951, in the Italian city of Naples. The boy's family was poor. He became the fifth child of his parents, and in total the couple had 8 children.
Giovanni had to grow up early. He tried to help his parents provide for the family. The boy had to go to work from a young age. At first he was in the wings of various masters. Growing up, the boy managed to work as a courier, sold newspapers, and also stood at the bar.
Development of musical talent
Giovanni loved to sing since childhood. Given the difficult financial situation of the family, the lack of free time, it was not possible for the boy to study music. The presence of talent was noticed by others. The young man began to be invited as a singer to various events. So Giovanni Calone earned his first money using natural talent.
At the age of 13, at one of the celebrations where a vocal teenager performed, he was noticed by Gianni Aterrano. He immediately noted the bright abilities of the boy, introduced him to Sergio Bruni. At the insistence of new patrons, Giovanni Calone goes to America. There he takes the pseudonym Gianni Rock, goes on stage at the Academy in New York.
Recording the first album in mini format
The talent of Gianni Rock was a success. Soon the young man is offered to record a mini-album. He gladly takes on this task. The first disc "Gianni Rock" did not bring success, but marked the beginning of his solo career. The artist gives his first serious earnings to his relatives.
Alias change
In 1966, the singer decides to change direction. The artist returns to his native Italy. He dreams of solo activities, achieving popularity. This prompted him to think about changing his pseudonym. Giovanni Calone becomes Ranieri.
This is a derivative from the name of Rainier, Prince of Monaco, which later became an analogue of the surname. A little later, Giovanni added Massimo to this, which became a name. The new pseudonym became an expression of the singer's ambitions. It is with this name that he achieves popularity.
In 1966, Massimo Ranieri first appears on television. He performs in the music program Canzonissima. Having sung a song here, the artist gains success. The public all over the country will know about it. In 1967 Massimo Ranieri takes part in the Cantagiro festival. He won this event.
Active participation in festivals
Thanks to the first victory, Massimo Ranieri realized that participation in the festival gives a good set of popularity. In 1968, he first went to the competition in San Remo. This time, luck was not on his side. The singer does not despair. The following year, he returns to this event again.
Once again, he will appear on the stage of this festival only in 1988. Only in this run the singer will be able to win. In 1969, the artist also enters the Cantagiro stage. The performed song "Rose Rosse" not only liked the audience, but became a real hit. The composition immediately hit the national chart, 3 months without going below 2 positions. According to the results of sales, this song took 6th place in Italy.
Targeting a Hispanic audience as well as Japan
After gaining the first resounding success of Massimo Ranieri in his native country, it was decided to cover a wider audience. The singer records the composition in Spanish. This single was successful in Spain, as well as in Latin America and Japan.
Massimo Ranieri recorded his first full-length album only in 1970. Since that time, the artist has released a new record almost every year, sometimes with a short break. From 1970 to 2016, the singer recorded 23 full studio albums, as well as 5 live compilations. Along with this, the artist conducts an active concert activity.
Massimo Ranieri: Representing the country at the Eurovision Song Contest
As soon as the singer achieved popularity, he was immediately nominated to participate on behalf of Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1971 he took 5th place. Massimo Ranieri was sent to represent the country again in 1973. This time he took only 13th place.
Activities in the film industry
Simultaneously with active musical activity, Massimo Ranieri began acting in films. Over the years of his work, he has more than 53 films, where he acts as an actor. These are films of various genres and styles. Later, he began to act as a screenwriter, as well as play in theatrical productions.
At the opera house, Massimo Ranieri became a stage director. He supervised the creation of several opera performances, as well as a musical. As an actor, he showed the character as himself 6 times. The most recognized role was in "Woman and Men" in 2010.
Massimo Ranieri: Achievements and awards
In 1988, Massimo Ranieri won the competition in Sanremo. In his "piggy bank" there is also a "Golden Globe" for acting. In addition, Massimo Ranieri has the David di Donatello Award for Lifetime Achievement. Since 2002, the artist has been appointed FAO Goodwill Ambassador. In 2009, the singer participated in the recording of the song "Domani" by Mauro Pagani. The proceeds from the sale of the masterpiece were used to rebuild the Alfredo Casella Conservatory and the Stabile d'Abruzzo Theater in L'Aquila, both of which were damaged by a natural disaster.
