Fred Bongusto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Commendatore Fred Bongusto
Fred Bongusto, July 1975
Born	Alfredo Antonio Carlo Buongusto 6 April 1935 Campobasso, Molise, Italy
Died	8 November 2019 (aged 84) Rome
Occupation	Musician
Political party	PSI

Alfredo Antonio Carlo Buongusto (born April 6, 1935 – died November 8, 2019), known as Fred Bongusto, was a famous Italian singer, songwriter, and composer. He was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s for his easy-listening, or "light music." This type of music is usually calm and pleasant to listen to.

His Music Career

Fred Bongusto was born in a town called Campobasso in Italy. He started his music journey in 1960 with his first song, "Bella Bellissima." This song was released on a record.

Some of his most well-known songs include "Amore fermati," "Una rotonda sul mare," and "Spaghetti a Detroit." In 1966, his song "Prima c'eri tu" won a music competition called Un disco per l'estate.

Fred Bongusto loved to explore different music styles. He often used rhythms from Latin America and sounds from American Big Bands. This made him very popular in South America, especially in Brazil. He even worked with famous musicians like Toquinho, Vinicius de Moraes, and João Gilberto. João Gilberto later sang his own version of Bongusto's song "Malaga."

Music for Movies

Fred Bongusto also composed music for many films, more than 30 in total! This means he wrote the songs and background music that you hear in movies. Some of the films he worked on include Day After Tomorrow (1968), The Divorce (1970), and Malizia (1973). He also appeared as an actor in a couple of movies, like Obiettivo ragazze (1961).

Awards and Recognition

In the 1990s, Fred Bongusto became involved in local government. He was elected as a town councillor in Bari for the PSI. This meant he helped make decisions for the city.

Later, in 2005, he received special honors. On March 18, 2005, the President of the Council, Silvio Berlusconi, gave him a silver plate. This was to celebrate 50 years since he started his music career. A few months later, on June 2, 2005, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi gave him the title of Commendatore. This is a special award given to people who have done great things for their country.

His Personal Life

Fred Bongusto was married to Gabriella Palazzoli. She was an Italian performer who was famous in the 1950s and 1960s. She was known for acting in movies, like Buonanotte... Avvocato! with Alberto Sordi.

Gabriella had a daughter named Blyth Dolores from a previous marriage. Fred Bongusto helped raise Blyth as his own daughter.

Fred Bongusto spent a lot of his time in a beautiful village called Sant'Angelo, located on the island of Ischia. He passed away in Rome on November 8, 2019, at the age of 84.

Discography

Here is a list of some of the music albums Fred Bongusto released during his career:

• 1963 - Fred Bongusto
• 1964 - La notte è fatta per ballare
• 1966 - ...forse è colpa della musica...
• 1970 - Alla mia maniera
• 1971 - Un'occasione per dirti che ti amo
• 1972 - Alfredo Antonio Carlo Bongusto
• 1972 - Alla mia maniera n° 2
• 1974 - Malizia... un po'...
• 1974 - Doppio Whisky
• 1974 - Italian graffiti
• 1975 - Noi innamorati... d'improvviso
• 1975 - Napoli alla mia maniera
• 1976 - Flashback
• 1976 - La mia estate con te
• 1977 - Il giorno e la notte
• 1978 - Professionista di notte
• 1979 - Lunedì
• 1979 - Fred Brasil
• 1980 - Fred & Bongusto
• 1981 - Fortunatamente ancora l'amore
• 1982 - Freddissimo
• 1983 - Belle bugie
• 1984 - Appuntamento con la luna
• 1985 - ...dillo tu
• 1986 - Guancia a guancia
• 1987 - Cioccolata
• 1988 - Paradiso perduto
• 1989 - Le donne più belle
• 1990 - Appena posso, torno
• 1991 - Una canzone per ballare
• 1992 - Io dopo i giorni degli azzimi
• 1992 - Ancora insieme/We'll Be Together Again
• 1992 - Bailemos
• 1994 - Facciamo finta di volerci bene...
• 1995 - Fred
• 1997 - E io le canto accussì
• 1997 - La luna

See also

In Spanish: Fred Bongusto para niños