Fred Buscaglione facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fred Buscaglione
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Buscaglione in a scene from The Thieves
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| Born |
Ferdinando Buscaglione
23 November 1921 Turin, Italy
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| Died | 3 February 1960 (aged 38) Rome, Italy
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| Nationality | Italian |
| Other names | Fred |
| Occupation | Singer, actor |
| Spouse(s) | Fatima Robin |
Ferdinando "Fred" Buscaglione (born November 23, 1921 – died February 3, 1960) was a famous Italian singer and actor. He became very popular in the late 1950s. Fred was known for his fun, tough-guy image, which he showed in his songs and movies. He often played characters who were charming and a bit rebellious.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Ferdinando Buscaglione was born in Turin, Italy, on November 23, 1921. His father was a painter, and his mother was a piano teacher. Fred loved music from a very young age.
When he was 11, his parents enrolled him in the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Turin. As a teenager, he performed in nightclubs around Turin. He sang jazz and played the double bass and violin.
Music During World War II
During World War II, Fred Buscaglione was held in an American camp in Sardinia. His musical talent was quickly noticed. He was allowed to join the orchestra of the allied radio station in Cagliari.
This gave Fred a chance to keep making music. He also got to try out new sounds and rhythms from the United States. At that time, the Italian Fascist government had banned most foreign music.
Rise to Fame
After the war, Buscaglione went back to Turin. He continued working as a musician for different bands. Soon, he formed his own group called the Asternovas.
In 1949, while on tour in Switzerland, he met and married Fatima Robin. She was an entertainer from Germany and Morocco. Around this time, Fred started to develop his famous public image. He was inspired by actors like Clark Gable and tough characters from detective stories.
Hit Songs and Collaborations
Fred's friend, Leo Chiosso, was a lyricist. He wrote the words for many of Fred's songs. Together, they created many hits that made Fred famous across Italy.
Some of their popular songs included Che bambola (What a Babe!), Teresa non sparare (Theresa, Don't Shoot!), and Guarda che luna (Look, What a Beautiful Moon). These songs helped define his unique style.
Fred started recording his songs in 1955. His first single, which included 'Che bambola', sold one million copies. This happened with almost no advertising! It made him much more famous than he ever expected.
By the end of the 1950s, Fred Buscaglione was one of Italy's most sought-after entertainers. He appeared in commercials, on television, and in movies.
Legacy and Influence
Fred Buscaglione passed away at 38 years old in a car accident in Rome. His car, a lilac Ford Thunderbird, crashed with a truck. He was taken to the hospital but it was too late.
Just hours before, he had dinner with friends and met the future Italian pop star Mina Mazzini. They talked about working together, but sadly, it never happened. Tens of thousands of people attended his funeral in Turin on February 6, 1960. He is buried in the Cimitero Monumentale.
Fred Buscaglione is remembered for his songs and movies. He also played a big role in helping new musicians. He encouraged younger artists, who were influenced by early rock and roll, to stand up for their art. He helped them get recognition for their unique style. This helped start the "yellers" scene, which changed Italian popular music in the early 1960s.
Selected Filmography
- Tough Guys (1960)
