Winners of the Sanremo Festival

Nilla Pizzi was born on 16 April 1919 in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. She was an actress, known for Biblioteca di Studio Uno (1964), Canzone appassionata (1953) and Ci troviamo in galleria (1953). She was married to Guido Pizzi. She died on 12 March 2011 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy.

Carla Boni was born on 17 July 1925 in Ferrara, Italy. She was an actress, known for Bridget Jones's Baby (2016), ...e Napoli canta! (1953) and San Remo canta (1956). She was married to Gino Latilla. She died on 17 October 2009 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.

Flo was born in an upper class family of American extraction (UK origin). They lived in Rome from 1910 on. By chance Flo (Mammola is her birth name) was born in Vicenza (North Western Italy) where her father, a skilled restoring architect - specialist in stained glass windows) was called, at the time, to work at some damaged historical buildings and churches. Flo started to sing for fun. In 1944, Flo was working for US Army Corps in Rome, as interpreter. One day to celebrate a US Colonel's birthday, she was invited to sing an American song and "Stardust" was selected by many. When Flo started to sing, she sounded like a coming singer. By the merest chance, a successful Italian crooner, in those days, was recording a fascinating Italian version of "Stardust" making that song a hit in Italy. Who was the crooner? Natalino Otto, her husband 11 years later. Flo's career began in 1947 singing in the "Hot Club the France", a well-known Jazz Club, with Django Reinhardt and Stephen Grappelly. In 1950 had her first hit in "Verde luna" (Italian version from "Blood and Sand" with R.Hayworth and T.Power). In 1951 another film "Anna" by Alberto Lattuada offered Flo the chance for another success: doubling the main actress Silvana Mangano while singing "Non dimenticar". As a matter of fact, Flo won the very first "Golden Record" in Italy (1,000,000 records sold in Europe, 10,000,000 worldwide) and she was very flattered when Nat King Cole asked to perform an English version that he did beautifully, some years later. In 1953 Flo won the "Sanremo Festival" with "Viale d'autunno". Many were the Tours around the world and several the hits: just to mention a few..."El Negro zumbon", "Malasierra", "Sadie Thompson's song", "Never let me go", "Souvenir d'Italie", "Arrivederci". In 1955 married Natalino Otto (see above). They had one child, a girl named Silvia, in 1956. Unfortunately Natalino died in 1969 and for that reason Flo retired from the scenes, but in 1994/1995 at 70, she accepted the role of an eccentric mother in a very brilliant music comedy directed by Pietro Garinei "Gli uomini sono tutti bambini!" (All men are kids!). That was the first time for Flo to sing and dance at the same time: she did it successfully!

Gino Latilla was born on 7 November 1924 in Bari, Puglia, Italy. He was an actor, known for Un giglio infranto (1955), Te stò aspettanno (1956) and Ergastolo (1952). He was married to Carla Boni. He died on 11 September 2011 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy.

Giorgio Consolini was born on 28 August 1920 in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. He was an actor, known for Bellezze a Capri (1951), La leggenda del piave (1952) and Festival di Sanremo (1951). He died on 28 April 2012 in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

One of the most representative Italian popular singers, Claudio Villa became famous nationwide in 1955, when he won the Sanremo Song Festival for the first time. During his career he won that prestigious award three more times (1957, 1962 and 1967), recorded more than 3,000 songs, sold 45 million records worldwide, and starred in 25 musical movies.

Franca Raimondi was born on 8 July 1932 in Monopoli, Puglia, Italy. She was an actress, known for San Remo canta (1956), Eurovision Song Contest Lugano 1956 (1956) and Festival di Sanremo (1951). She died on 22 April 1990 in Monopoli, Apulia, Italy.

Nunzio Gallo was born on 26 March 1928 in Naples, Campania, Italy. He was an actor, known for Il bacio del sole (Don Vesuvio) (1958), A vent'anni è sempre festa (1957) and The Devil's Cavaliers (1959). He was married to Biancamaria Varriale. He died on 22 February 2008 in Telese Terme, Benevento, Campania, Italy.

Domenico Modugno was born on 9 January 1928 in Polignano a Mare, Puglia, Italy. He was an actor and composer, known for The Batman (2022), Money Talks (1997) and Casino (1995). He was married to Franca Gandolfi. He died on 6 August 1994 in Lampedusa, Pelagie Islands, Sicily, Italy.

Very talented Italian actor, his career has been characterized by his calm and clever style. Also a famous composer and singer, his most important successes were "Aggiungi un posto a tavola" and "Lettera a Pinocchio", but he demonstrates his acting talent especially in the theater in many Italian comedies, with Garinei and Giovannini. Currently he works for Italian television. He is the father of Gianluca Guidi, with Lauretta Masiero.

Tony Dallara was born on 30 June 1936 in Campobasso, Molise, Italy. He is an actor, known for Juke box - Urli d'amore (1959), Le tardone (1964) and Ragazzi del Juke-Box (1959).

Renato Rascel was born on 27 April 1912 in Turin, Piedmont, Italy. He was an actor and composer, known for The Overcoat (1952), The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1969) and Zodiac (2007). He was married to Giuditta Saltarini, Huguette Cartier and Tina De Mola. He died on 2 January 1991 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.

Luciano Tajoli was born on 17 April 1920 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. He was an actor, known for Napoli piange e ride (1954), Occhi senza luce (1956) and Don Lorenzo (1952). He was married to Lina Agnesi. He died on 3 August 1996 in Merate, Lombardy, Italy.

Betty Curtis was born on 21 March 1936 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. She was an actress, known for Goodfellas (1990), Ragazzi del Juke-Box (1959) and 008: Operazione ritmo (1965). She was married to Claudio Celli. She died on 15 June 2006 in Lecco, Lombardy, Italy.

Emilio Pericoli was an Italian pop singer, guitarist and pianist, popular in the early 1960's. In his youth, he was briefly engaged as a vocalist in a dance band. He also harboured aspirations to become a dramatic actor and appeared on stage with Isa Barzizza's company in the love story "Valentina". He also appeared in a few small film roles, but this did not lead to a full-time acting career. Instead, in 1959, Pericoli was signed by Ricordi Records for a compilation of classic Italian/Neapolitan songs, including "Anema e core". His biggest hit, however, turned out to be a cover version of the Betty Curtis/Luciano Tajoli number "Al Di La", 1961 winner at the San Remo Festival. "Al Di La" was subsequently used by Hollywood as the leitmotif for the Warner Brothers movie Rome Adventure (1962), starring Suzanne Pleshette and Troy Donahue. Pericoli performed the song with a small combo in a suitably romantic nightclub setting. Resulting airplay in the U.S. moved the song up to sixth in the Billboards pop charts.

In 1962, Pericoli entered the San Remo Festival in collaboration with songwriter Tony Renis and achieved additional fame with his rendition of "Quando, Quando, Quando". The following year, he made up for not winning this event with a bona fide number one entry, "Uno Per Tutte", also written by Renis. After his singing career petered out in the mid-1960's, Pericoli briefly returned to acting and then faded from the scene.

Tony Renis was born on 13 May 1938 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. He is an actor and composer, known for Game Night (2018), Superman Returns (2006) and After Hours (1985). He has been married to Elettra Morini since 1992.

She won The Festival di Sanremo Music Competion in 1964 with the song "Non ho l'età". With the same song - in the same year - she won the Eurovision Song Contest and entered the U.K. chart. SHE WAS ONLY 16!!! In her long career she has worked several times for RAI Italian Television and has had more then 10 Top20 hits. She was last seen in 1999 playing a small role in an Italian Sit-comedy "Commesse".

Patricia Carli was born on 12 March 1938 in Taranto, Italy.

Bobby Solo was born on 18 March 1945 in Rome, Lazio, Italy. He is an actor, known for A Most Violent Year (2014), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007) and Five Times Two (2004). He has been married to Tracy Quade since 1995. They have one child. He was previously married to Sophie Teckel.

Pop-folk chorus organized in 1961 by singer/songwriter Randy Sparks, who also served as their first Music Director. They got their first big break the following year when Andy Williams first heard them and signed them on as regulars on his TV show. A recording contract with Columbia records soon followed, and their many hits on that label included "Green, Green", "Saturday Night", "Today" and "Chim Chim Cheree". After leaving the Williams show, they remained busy for the balance of the decade, recording prolifically, guesting on many of the top variety shows of the period, and making personal appearances. They also provided the score for the 1964 film "Advance to the Rear," starring Glenn Ford, Stella Stevens and Melvyn Douglas. The Christies are unique among performing groups in the number of distinguished alumni that moved on from the group to successful careers of their own. A brief list would have to include: Karen Black, Kenny Rogers and most of the First Edition, Barry McGuire (#1 hit with "Eve of Destruction" 1965), Skyles and Henderson, Larry Ramos of the Association, Art Podell and Jerry Yester of the Livin' Spoonful.

Barry McGuire was born on 15 October 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. He is an actor, known for Rose Island (2020), The President's Analyst (1967) and Fil rouge (1987).

Iva Zanicchi was born on 18 January 1940 in Ligonchio, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. She is an actress, known for The Three Musketeers (1991), L'odissea (1991) and Una ragazza tutta d'oro (1967). She was previously married to Tonino Ansoldi.

Sergio Endrigo was born on 15 June 1933 in Pola, Istria, Italy [now Pula, Istria, Croatia]. He was an actor and composer, known for Massacre Time (1966), The Reunion (1963) and The Next Victim (1995). He was married to Maria Giulia Bartolocci. He died on 7 September 2005 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.

Roberto Carlos Braga is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, also known as King of Latin Music or simply The King. Most of his songs are written in partnership with his friend, singer and songwriter Erasmo Carlos (no relation). Roberto Carlos has sold over 140 million albums around the world. He is considered one of the most influential artists in Brazil, being cited as a source of inspiration by many artists and bands. His net worth is estimated at US$160 million.

Adriano Celentano is one of the most important singers of Italian pop music, but he's also been a creator of a comic genre in movies, with his characteristic way of walking and his facial expressions. For the most part, his films were commercially successful, in fact in the 70s and part of the 80s, he was king of the Italian box office in low budget movies. Probably, as an actor, his best film is Serafino (1968), directed by Pietro Germi. As a director he frequently casts Ornella Muti, Eleonora Giorgi and his wife Claudia Mori. He and Claudia have three children: Rosalinda Celentano Rosita Celentano and Giacomo Celentano. He also works often as a host for several Italian TV shows.