Domenico Modugno facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Domenico Modugno
Background information
Born	(1928-01-09)9 January 1928 Polignano a Mare, Apulia, Italy
Died	6 August 1994(1994-08-06) (aged 66) Lampedusa, Sicily, Italy
Genres	Neapolitan song pop folk
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter actor film director film producer politician
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1953–1993
Labels	RCA Fonit Cetra Curci Carosello Panarecord Decca United Artists Jubilee

The Honourable Domenico Modugno
Member of the Senate
In office 18 April 1990 – 22 April 1992
Constituency	Rome IV
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
In office 2 July 1987 – 18 April 1990
Constituency	Turin
Personal details
Nationality	Italian
Political party	Radical Party
Spouse	Franca Gandolfi (1955–1994; his death)
Children	Marcello Modugno Marco Modugno Massimo Modugno (from his wife) Fabio Camilli (from Maurizia Calì)
Profession	Artist singer

Domenico Modugno (born January 9, 1928 – died August 6, 1994) was a famous Italian singer, songwriter, and actor. Later in his life, he also became a member of the Italian Parliament. He is best known for his huge international hit song from 1958, "Nel blu dipinto di blu" (often called "Volare"). This song won him two Grammy Awards. Many people see him as the first true Italian cantautore, which means a singer-songwriter who writes and performs their own songs.

Domenico Modugno's Early Life

Domenico Modugno was born in Polignano a Mare, Italy, on January 9, 1928. He was the youngest of four children. His father, Vito Cosimo Modugno, worked as a police commander, and his mother, Pasqua Lorusso, was a housewife.

When Domenico was nine, his family moved to San Pietro Vernotico. There, he went to primary school and learned the local dialect. He later attended secondary school in Lecce.

Domenico Modugno's Music Career

While still a student, Domenico Modugno started acting in films. His first taste of fame came in 1957 when his song "Lazzarella" placed second in a big Italian music contest called the Festival della Canzone Napoletana.

The biggest moment of his career happened in 1958. He entered the Sanremo Music Festival with a song he co-wrote called "Nel blu dipinto di blu". This song won the contest and became a massive hit all over the world. It sold over 22 million copies and won two Grammy Awards. The song also represented Italy in the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest, where it finished third.

Domenico Modugno singing "Nel blu, dipinto di blu" at the Eurovision Song Contest 1958.

Modugno won the Sanremo Music Festival again in 1959 with "Piove" (also known as "Ciao, ciao bambina"). He also came in second place in 1960 with "Libero." He represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest again in 1959. Later, his song "Io" was covered by Elvis Presley in English, titled "Ask Me."

In 1962, Modugno won the Sanremo Music Festival for a third time with "Addio... addio...." He returned to Eurovision in 1966 with "Dio, come ti amo." Other artists like Sergio Franchi and Jack Jones later recorded this song.

Besides singing, Modugno acted in many movies, appearing in 44 films. He also produced two films, including Tutto è musica (1963), which was about his own life. In the 1970s, he started focusing more on classical music and acting in modern operas.

Domenico Modugno's Later Years

In 1984, Domenico Modugno had a serious health issue that affected his ability to perform. This led him to focus on his recovery.

From 1986, he became very active in fighting for the rights of people with disabilities. In June 1987, he was elected to the Italian Parliament as a representative for Turin. He was part of the Radical Party, a group focused on social issues. He spoke out against unfair treatment of patients in hospitals and supported campaigns for human rights.

Modugno returned to music in 1992–1993. His last song was "Delfini" (meaning "Dolphins"), which he sang with his son, Massimo, in 1993.

Domenico Modugno passed away on August 6, 1994, at the age of 66. He died from a heart attack at his home on the island of Lampedusa, south of Sicily. His beautiful beach house was later put up for sale.

Domenico Modugno's Songs

Here are some of Domenico Modugno's well-known songs:

• "Lu pisce spada"
• "Lazzarella"
• "Nel blu dipinto di blu" – also known as "Volare" (Sanremo winner, 1958)
• "Buon Natale A Tutto Il Mondo" (1958, with Ennio Morricone)
• "La lontananza"
• "Piove" – also known as "Ciao, ciao bambina" (Sanremo winner, 1959)
• "Sopra i tetti azzurri del mio pazzo amore"
• "Vecchio frac"
• "Non piangere Maria"
• "Amara terra mia"
• "Stasera pago io"
• "Il maestro di violino"
• "Tu si 'na cosa grande"
• "Questa è la mia vita"
• "Addio...addio..."
• "Piange... il telefono"

Sanremo Music Festival Wins

Domenico Modugno won the Sanremo Music Festival four times. Here are his winning years and other notable entries:

• 1958 "Nel blu dipinto di blu" (winner)
• 1959 "Piove (Ciao, ciao bambina)" (winner)
• 1960 "Libero" (second place)
• 1962 "Addio... addio..." (winner)
• 1964 "Che me ne importa a me" (second place)
• 1966 "Dio, come ti amo" (winner)
• 1967 "Sopra i tetti azzurri del mio pazzo amore"
• 1968 "Il posto mio"
• 1971 "Come stai?"
• 1972 "Un calcio alla città"
• 1974 "Questa è la mia vita" (second place)

Images for kids

• 

  Modugno in 1955

• 

  Modugno performing "Nel blu, dipinto di blu" (better known as "Volare") at the 1958 Sanremo Music Festival

• 

  Modugno in 1969

See also

In Spanish: Domenico Modugno para niños