Massimo Morsello

Massimo Morsello was an Italian far-right political activist and singer-songwriter. He was the main figure of Italian far-right political music and, with Roberto Fiore, a co-founder of the Italian nationalist movement Forza Nuova. He was born, in Rome, on November 10, 1958 and later died, in London, on March 10, 2001.

Music

While most Italian right-wing musicians are influenced by Celtic music or Oi!, Morsello instead put far-right political themes into a more traditional acoustic, folk guitar-based songwriting. His self-admitted main influence is the Italian singer and songwriter Francesco De Gregori. In his later works he tried to develop a more personal style, influenced by psychedelia, especially in songs like Otto di Settembre and Vandea. His lyrics focused on themes like revolution, nationalism, Fascism, abortion and European Union, all from an unambiguously far-right point of view.

Related Topics:
Celtic music - Oi! - Francesco De Gregori - Psychedelia - Revolution - Nationalism - Fascism - Abortion - European Union

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The songs of Morsello are often of good quality and can be safely compared to those of much more famous Italian political left-wing songwriters like Francesco Guccini or Claudio Lolli. A self-proclaimed Fascist, his far-right political leanings, as expressed in his songs, won the praise of far-right supporters, but hindered his acceptance by the mainstream public. His first three albums were released as demo tapes and only later re-mastered on CD. Nevertheless, he was the best selling far-right Italian songwriter, selling 15,000 copies of his record Punto di non ritorno.

Related Topics:
Francesco Guccini - Claudio Lolli - Fascist - Demo tapes - CD

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Morsello took advantage of the low profile he had in the mainstream to play a prank on the Italian communist newspaper Il Manifesto. He published a half-page ad of his record La direzione del vento declaring it "a truly revolutionary record" and emphasizing his friendly stance towards the Palestinians, one of the few platforms he shared with the far-left. The day after, the newspaper, having discovered from letters sent by its readers the identity of Morsello, publicly apologized and tried to give back the money paid by Morsello.

Related Topics:
Newspaper - Il Manifesto - Ad - Palestinians - Far-left

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Discography

• Per me… e la mia gente (1978) , first released as demo tape
• I nostri canti assassini (1981) , first released as demo tape
• Intolleranza (1990) , first released as demo tape
• Punto di non ritorno (1996)
• Massimino, a compilation featuring his first two demo tapes (1997)
• La direzione del vento (1998)