Vasco Rossi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vasco Rossi
Rossi in 2007
Background information
Born	(1952-02-07) 7 February 1952 (age 73) Zocca, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Genres	Pop pop rock rock
Years active	1977–present

Vasco Rossi (born February 7, 1952) is a famous Italian singer, songwriter, and poet. People often call him just Vasco or by his nickname Il Blasco. He has released 30 albums and written over 250 songs. He has also written lyrics for other artists.

Vasco Rossi calls himself a provocautore, which means a "provoking author." This is because he has often been talked about for his lifestyle and song lyrics. He is one of Italy's best-selling singers, with over 35 million albums sold. His concert in Modena Park 2017 holds the world record for the highest number of tickets sold for a single concert!

About Vasco Rossi

Early Life and School

Vasco Rossi was born in Zocca, a small town in Italy. His dad, Carlo Rossi, was a truck driver, and his mom, Novella, was a housewife. His mom decided to enroll him in singing school when he was a little boy. This was a bit unusual for their small village, but Vasco quickly fell in love with music. By the time he was 14, he was already playing with his first band.

Later, Vasco and his family moved to Bologna, Italy. He studied accounting in high school. After graduating, he opened a music club called Punto Club. He also started university to study Economics and Business. To support himself, he worked as a DJ. He also helped start one of Italy's first private radio stations, "Punto Radio." This was where he first started playing his own songs for people to hear.

His Music Journey

Vasco Rossi was encouraged by his friend Gaetano Curreri to release his first music. On June 13, 1977, he released an EP (a short album) with two songs: "Jenny è pazza" (Jenny is crazy) and "Silvia." In 1978, he released his first full album, Ma cosa vuoi che sia una canzone ("What do you expect from a song").

In 1979, his second album, Non siamo mica gli americani ("We're certainly not Americans"), came out. This album showed off Vasco's unique style of writing songs. His album Colpa d'Alfredo ("Alfredo's fault") in 1980 caused some controversy. Its main song was even removed from the radio, and it received strong criticism. However, this controversy actually made Vasco more popular! He quickly became famous across Italy, especially after performing on a popular TV show called Domenica In.

In 1981, he released the album Siamo solo noi ("It's only us"). The title song became a very important anthem for a whole generation of young people.

In 1982, Vasco Rossi performed for the first time at the Sanremo Music Festival. He sang "Vado al massimo" ("I'm taking it to the max"). He faced a lot of criticism again and finished in last place at the festival. In April of that year, the album Vado al Massimo was released. The next year, he returned to Sanremo and sang "Vita spericolata" (Daredevil Life). This is probably one of his most famous songs, and he finished second-to-last this time.

His album Bollicine ("Little Bubbles"), released in 1983, was his sixth album in seven years. This album made him a true idol for a new generation and a symbol of Italian rock music. The title song, which is about Coca-Cola, won the Festivalbar '83 award. His tour that year was also a huge success.

To celebrate his success, Vasco released his first live album in 1984, called Va bene, va bene così ("It's alright, it's alright this way"). His next album, Cosa succede in città ("What's going on in the city"), came out shortly after.

In 1987, Vasco Rossi's ninth album, C'è chi dice no ("There Are Some Who Say No"), was released. More and more fans were coming to his concerts. This meant he had to stop playing in small clubs and start performing in big arenas and stadiums. He is still known for selling out huge venues today!

His tenth studio album, Liberi liberi ("[we are] Free, Free"), came out in 1989. It sold 800,000 copies in Italy. The success of his 1989 tour led to a live album called Fronte del palco. He also held two big concerts in 1990, one in Milan and one in Rome. The live album sold over 300,000 copies.

Vasco's next album, Gli spari sopra ("The shots above"), released in 1993, sold incredibly well, reaching ten times platinum status. The main song was a big hit and was a cover of "Celebrate" by the Irish band An Emotional Fish. In 1994, he gave a special song called "Senza Parole" ("Without Words") to his official fan club members.

In 1995, Vasco Rossi performed two concerts at the San Siro stadium called Rock sotto l'assedio ("Rock under siege"). These concerts were a protest against the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He invited some Bosnian bands to perform.

In 1996, Vasco recorded a new studio album, Nessun Pericolo... Per Te ("No Danger... For You"). It included popular songs like "Sally" and "Gli angeli" ("The Angels"). The music video for "Gli angeli" was directed by the famous filmmaker Roman Polanski. The drums for the song "Anche se" ("Even If"), later called "Praticamente perfetto" ("Practically Perfect"), were played by Taylor Hawkins.

In 1998, Vasco Rossi returned to his songwriting roots with the album Canzoni per me ("Songs for me"). This album had a softer, less "rock" sound. It even included some songs he had written early in his career but never released. Despite the different style, Vasco won his second Festivalbar award with the song "L'una per te." He decided to hold only one concert in 1998, as a guest star at the first Heineken Jammin' Festival in Imola, Italy. This concert was captured on video and released as the 1999 live album Rewind. A few days into the tour, Vasco's close friend, guitarist, and co-writer, Massimo Riva, sadly passed away. Vasco and his fans remember and celebrate him at almost every concert since.

In 2001, Stupido Hotel ("Stupid Hotel") was released. Vasco won his third Festivalbar award with the song "Siamo Soli" ("We are alone"). In 2002, he released Tracks, which featured remastered versions of his songs. This was followed by three sold-out concerts at San Siro Stadium in Milan. His album Buoni o cattivi ("Good or Bad Ones") was the most successful album in Italy in 2004.

On May 12, 2005, Vasco Rossi received an honorary degree in Communication Sciences from IULM University in Milan.

On September 9, 2005, Vasco released the double DVD È solo un Rock'n'Roll show ("It's Only a Rock'n’Roll Show"). This DVD used all the songs from his Buoni o cattivi album to create a two-hour music video. Three months later, Buoni o cattivi live anthology 04.05 was released. This was a big collection of CDs and DVDs recorded live during his record-breaking 2004 and 2005 tour. In December 2005, he returned to his hometown of Zocca. His childhood friends and the community organized a special tribute for him, including a photo display and other celebrations.

In 2007, he released the "Vasco Extended Play," which included the hit song "Basta Poco" ("A Little Is Enough"). This EP was number one on the Italian FIMI Charts for 21 weeks, making it the best-selling single in Italy for 2007.

On November 4, 2010, he released a new album, Sono innocente (I'm innocent). The first song released from this album was "Come vorrei" (How I would like to). While recording this album, Vasco wrote the lyrics for a song that Dave Grohl (from the Foo Fighters) wrote the music for. This song, called "Sognare ancora" (Dreaming Again), was included in a music project by Dave Grohl.

In May 2023, Vasco Rossi received Rome's highest civilian honor, the Lupa Capitolina. It was given to him by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri.

Retirement from Touring and Return

In June 2011, Vasco Rossi announced that he would stop touring and performing live. However, he said he would continue to work in the music business.

But in January 2013, Vasco changed his mind! He announced a new tour in Turin and Bologna. This was followed by more tours: Vasco Live Kom '014, Vasco Live Kom '015, and Vasco Live Kom '016. Then came the huge concert to celebrate his 40 years in music. This concert was held on July 1, 2017, in Modena and was called Modena Park. The Modena Park 2017 concert is currently the largest ticketed concert in the world, with over 225,000 tickets sold!

Personal Views

Vasco Rossi is an atheist, meaning he does not believe in God. He has also shown support for anarchism, which is a political idea that suggests society should be organized without a government.

Discography

Albums

• 1978 – ...Ma cosa vuoi che sia una canzone...
• 1979 – Non siamo mica gli americani
• 1980 – Colpa d'Alfredo
• 1981 – Siamo solo noi
• 1982 – Vado al massimo
• 1983 – Bollicine
• 1984 – Va bene, va bene così
• 1985 – Cosa succede in città
• 1987 – C'è chi dice no
• 1989 – Liberi liberi
• 1990 – Fronte del palco
• 1993 – Gli spari sopra
• 1996 – Nessun pericolo... per te
• 1998 – Canzoni per me
• 1999 – Rewind
• 2001 – Stupido hotel
• 2002 – Tracks
• 2004 – Buoni o cattivi
• 2005 – Buoni o cattivi Live Anthology 04-05
• 2008 – Il mondo che vorrei
• 2009 – Tracks 2 – Inediti e rarità
• 2010 – London Istant Live
• 2011 – Vivere o niente
• 2011 – Live Kom '011 – the complete version
• 2012 – L'altra metà del cielo
• 2014 – Sono innocente
• 2016 – Tutto in una notte – Live Kom 015
• 2016 – Vascononstop
• 2017 – Vasco Modena Park – Live 2017
• 2019 – Vascononstop Live
• 2021 – Siamo qui
• 2022 – Vasco Live Circo Massimo Roma

EPs and Singles

• "Jenny / Silvia" (1977)
• "La nostra relazione / ... E poi mi parli di una vita insieme" (1978)
• "Albachiara / Fegato, fegato spappolato" (1979)
• "Non l'hai mica capito / Asilo republic" (1980)
• "Voglio andare al mare / Brava" (1981)
• "Splendida giornata Remix" (1982)
• "Vado al massimo / Ogni volta" (1982)
• "Vita spericolata / Mi piaci perchè" (1983)
• "Brava Giulia / Blasco Rossi" (1987)
• "Non mi va Remix" (1987)
• "Gli spari sopra (Hard Attack Mix) / Delusa (Mode Mix) / Delusa (Club Mix)" (1993)
• "Gli spari sopra (Celebrate)/Delusa (Rock Party Mix) /Se è vero o no/ L'uomo che hai di fronte (B. Mix)" (1993)
• "Senza Parole Remix" (1994)
• "Senza Parole" (1994)
• "Vasco Remixed" (1996)
• "Gli angeli" (1996)
• "Praticamente perfetto Remix / Io Perderò Remix" (1996)
• "Quanti anni hai" (1998)
• "L'una per te" (1998)
• "Io no" (1998)
• "Rewind (single)" (1998)
• "La fine del millennio" (1999)
• "Siamo soli" (2001)
• "Ti prendo e ti porto via" (2001)
• "Stupido hotel" (2001)
• "Standing ovation" (2002)
• "Io ti accontento" (2002)
• "Tu vuoi da me qualcosa" (2002)
• "Buoni o Cattivi (single)" (2004)
• "Come stai" (2004)
• "Un senso" (2004)
• "Cosa vuoi da me (remix)" (2005)
• " E..." (2005)
• "Señorita" (2005)
• "Basta poco" (2007)
• "Bollicine (Saffa remix 2007)" (2007)
• "Basta Poco (Bloom06 remix)" (2008)
• "Il mondo che vorrei" (2008)
• "Gioca con me" (2008)
• "E adesso che tocca a me" (2009)
• "Vieni qui" (2009)
• "Colpa del whisky" (2009)
• "Ad ogni costo" (2009)
• "Sto pensando a te" (2010)
• "Ho fatto un sogno" (2010)
• "Eh... già" (2011)
• "Vivere o niente" (2011)
• "Manifesto futurista della nuova umanità" (2011)
• "I soliti" (2011)
• "Stammi vicino" (2011)
• "Vivere o niente" (2012)
• "L'uomo più semplice" (2013)
• "Cambia-menti" (2013)
• "Dannate nuvole" (2014)
• "Come vorrei" (2014)
• "Sono innocente" (2015)
• "Guai" (2015)
• "Quante volte" (2015)
• "Il blues della chitarra sola" (2016)
• "Un mondo migliore" (2016)
• "Come nelle favole" (2017)
• "La verità" (2018)
• "Se ti potessi dire" (2019)
• "Una canzone d'amore buttata via" (2021)
• "Siamo qui" (2021)
• "La pioggia alla domenica" (feat. Marracash) (2022)
• "L'amore l'amore" (2022)

DVDs

• Rewind (1999)
• Vasco Rossi Tracks (2002)
• Vasco Rossi @ S. Siro 03 (2003)
• E' Solo Un Rock'N' Roll Show (2005)
• Buoni O Cattivi Live Anthology (2005)
• Fronte Del Palco — Live 90 (2006)
• Gli Spari Sopra Tour (2006)
• Vasco@Olimpico.07 27.28 giugno sold out (2007)
• Vasco Rossi. Il mondo che vorrei. Live (2008)
• Live Kom 2011– The complete edition (2012)
• Live KOM 015 Live at Naples (2015)
• Il decalogo di Vasco (2015)
• Tutto in una notte – Live Kom 015 (2016)
• Vasco Modena Park (2017)
• Vascononstop Live (2019)

Concert Tours

• Buoni o Cattivi Tour (2004–05)
• Vasco Live 2007 (2007)
• Vasco.08 Live in concert (2008)
• Tour Europe indoor (2009–10)
• Vasco Live Kom '011 (2011)
• Vasco Live Kom '013 (2013)
• Vasco Live Kom '014 (2014)
• Vasco Live Kom '015 (2015–16)
• Modena Park 2017 (2017) in Parco Enzo Ferrari in Modena, Italy, with 225,173 tickets sold, was the world's largest ticketed concert.
• VascoNonStop Live 2018 (2018)
• VascoNonStop Live 2019 (2019)
• VascoNonStop Festival 2020 (2020)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Vasco Rossi para niños