Adriano Celentano

Just as Elvis Presley revolutionized music and dance with his unique voice, look, and moves, Adriano Celentano brought a completely different style to Italy, a style that was destined to change the musical scene forever and to create perhaps the biggest icon in Italian show business. Since 1965 when his first album was released he has sold more songs than anyone in Italian music; to date, his selling record is around 150 million units (among LP, CD and downloads), simply astonishing numbers. Adriano Celentano has done everything from singing to acting to hosting TV shows, and he has created a myth around his persona that very few others have done, if anyone at all in Italy. It is very difficult to define a Renaissance man like Celentano, so probably it is best to explore his life per aspects of his career, looking at his public appearances and roles in order to give a fair picture of this incredible artist.

Above Adriano Celentano in Azzurro
Clentano started as a singer, and that is most probably how he will be remembered. Some of his songs are very powerful, and especially very deep. "Azzuro," "Il ragazzo della via Gluck," "24,000 baci," and "Il tuo bacio e' come un rock" are some of his successes, songs that spoke to an entire generation and created a movement in which Adriano became a leader with his "Clan." He then moved on and continued as a soloist in what became an impressive musical journey. While hundreds of his songs themselves became famous, his performances are equally historical. He was able to move in very unique ways and he still does, almost like a human spring. This is how he got his artistic nickname, "il molleggiato." Another memorable part of his singing career are the duets with another living icon, Mina. The two together appeared on TV several times, delivering some incredible moments that shaped the modern pop Italian culture as we know it today. Recently, Mina and Adriano reunited to record a CD which was hugely successful.