Music
“L’Italiano” singer Toto Cutugno died
Italian singer Toto Cutogno died in Milan at the age of 80. photo
© Pacific Press/Pacific Press via ZUMA Wire/dpa
In his songs he used typical Italian clichés – and was always proud of it. The “real Italian” sang his way into the hearts of his fans with his pop numbers “L’Italiano” and “Insieme 1992”. Now Toto Cutugno has died.
In Germany, Cutugno is primarily associated with the Italo classic “L’Italiano”, which is better known there under the refrain “Lasciatemi cantare” (Let me sing). One of his greatest successes is his victory at the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Zagreb with “Insieme 1992”. With 100 million albums sold, Cutugno is one of the most successful singers in Italy. He took part in the legendary Sanremo Festival a total of 15 times as an interpreter – once he won the competition: in 1980 with the song “Solo noi” (Only we). Another 15 times he composed the songs for participants.
In 1943 he was born Salvatore Cutugno, his real name, in the small Tuscan community of Fosdinovo, the son of Sicilians. He and his family ended up in La Spezia in Liguria. He was interested in music early on: he learned drums and accordion. As a young man he sang in a band.
His song “L’Italiano” in particular is still associated with Italy today. No typical Italian cliché remains untouched – from the Fiat 600 to menthol shaving cream to the blue pinstripe suit – but that’s exactly why he brought Italy closer to his many fans. He also hit the right note with his European anthem “Insieme 1992” at the ESC 1990.
After the great success of his two top numbers, Cutugno became quieter and quieter. In old age, health problems plagued him. In 2007 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but was able to recover. In the last years of his life Cutugno almost completely withdrew from the public eye.