Alberto Rabagliati

Alberto Rabagliati (Milan, 26 June 1906 - Rome, 7 March 1974) was Italy's first pop star.

Singing

Back in Europe he became a singer. After a brief experience with Pippo Barzizza's orchestra, he joined the Lecuona Cuban Boys, a Cuban band. He performed with his face painted black and made a hit with the song Maria la O.

Related Topics:
Europe - Singer - Pippo Barzizza - Orchestra - Lecuona Cuban Boys - Cuba

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While with the Lecuona Cuban Boys he met Giovanni D'Anzi who proposed him an audition with Italian state radio station EIAR. Rabagliati soon became a radio star, and in 1941 even had his own radio show. Every Monday night EIAR aired Canta Rabagliati ("Rabagliati sings"), with the singer presenting his most famous songs such as Ma l'amore no, Mattinata fiorentina, Ba-ba-baciami piccina, Silenzioso slow, Bambina innamorata.

Related Topics:
Giovanni D'Anzi - Radio - EIAR - 1941

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He was so popular that his name was sung in the lyrics of La famiglia canterina, Quando canta Rabagliati, Quando la radio. Female audience went crazy for him, and covered him with red roses at every performance. At a time when anything foreign was banned, the idol Rabagliati was allowed to maintain his American-influenced style. Indeed, the Fascist government decided to make use of his popularity by choosing his song Sposi (c'è una casetta piccina) ("Wed (there's a little home)") as their demographic campaign anthem.

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