Nino Ferrer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nino Ferrer
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Ferrer in 1970
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Nino Agostino Arturo Maria Ferrari |
| Born | 15 August 1934 Genoa, Italy |
| Died | 13 August 1998 (aged 63) Saint-Cyprien, France |
| Genres | Pop, rock, jazz, R&B, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, author |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboards |
| Years active | 1959–1998 |
| Labels | Riviera, CBS, WEA, Vogue, Fnac Music, Barclay |
Nino Agostino Arturo Maria Ferrari (born August 15, 1934 – died August 13, 1998), known as Nino Ferrer, was a famous singer-songwriter and author. He was born in Italy but became a French citizen later in life.
Contents
Biography and Career
Early Life and Studies
Nino Ferrer was born on August 15, 1934, in Genoa, Italy. He spent his early childhood in New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific Ocean, where his father worked as an engineer. He attended religious schools in Genoa and Paris.
From 1947, Nino studied interesting subjects like ethnology (the study of cultures) and archaeology (the study of ancient history through digging up old things) at the Sorbonne in Paris. He also loved music and painting during this time.
Starting His Music Journey
After finishing his studies, Ferrer traveled the world, even working on a freighter ship. When he came back to France, he focused on music. He loved jazz and the blues, especially artists like James Brown, Otis Redding, and Ray Charles.
Nino started playing the double bass in a jazz orchestra called Bill Coleman's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. His first time appearing on a recording was in 1959, playing bass for a group called the Dixie Cats. A singer named Nancy Holloway, whom he often played with, suggested he try singing solo.
First Songs and Big Hits
In 1963, Nino Ferrer recorded his very first song, "Pour oublier qu'on s'est aimé" (which means "To forget we were in love"). The other song on that record, "C'est irréparable," became a huge hit in Italy in 1965. It was translated for the Italian superstar Mina as "Un anno d'amore" ("A Year of Love"). Later, in 1991, a Spanish singer named Luz Casal also had a hit with "Un año de amor" for a movie.
His first big success as a solo artist came in 1965 with the song "Mirza." Other popular songs like "Cornichons" and "Oh! hé! hein! bon!" followed. These songs made many people see him as a funny, comedic singer. However, Nino sometimes felt "trapped" by this image. He wanted to sing other kinds of songs, but audiences always wanted to hear his popular, funny hits.
Success in Italy and Return to France
In 1967, Nino had a major hit in Italy with "La pelle nera" (meaning "The Black Skin"). The French version was "Je voudrais être un noir" ("I'd like to be a black man"). This soul song became very famous in Italy. It talked about wanting to have the musical talent of his favorite black music idols.
After "La pelle nera," he released more songs in Italy and even performed at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1968 and 1970. In 1970, he moved back to France. Nino Ferrer often disagreed with the way the music business worked, feeling it was too focused on money and not enough on art. He believed that songs were a "minor art" and "just background noise," similar to what other artists like Serge Gainsbourg thought.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1975, Nino Ferrer started breeding horses in Quercy, France. In 1989, he officially became a French citizen. He said this was to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. He even recorded the French national anthem with a choir.
Nino Ferrer passed away on August 13, 1998, just two days before his 64th birthday. Many newspapers in France and Italy honored him, calling him the "Don Quixote" and "Corto Maltese" of French show business. His music continues to be remembered and enjoyed.
Discography
Studio Albums
- 1966: Enregistrement public
- 1967: Nino Ferrer
- 1969: Nino Ferrer
- 1972: Métronomie
- 1972: Nino Ferrer and Leggs
- 1974: Nino and Radiah
- 1975: Suite en œuf
- 1977: Véritables variétés verdâtres
- 1979: Blanat
- 1981: La carmencita
- 1982: Ex-libris
- 1983: Rock'n'roll cow-boy
- 1986: 13e album
- 1993: La désabusion
- 1993: La vie chez les automobiles
Live Albums
- 1970: Rats and Rolls
- 1995: Concert chez Harry
Singles and EPs
- 1963 Pour oublier qu'on s'est aimé
- 1965 Mirza
- 1966 Les cornichons
- 1967 Le téléfon
- 1969 La rua Madureira
- 1975 Le Sud (his biggest hit, reaching number 1 in France in 1975)
- 1989 La Marseillaise
Images for kids
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Ferrer in 1970
