Toto Cutugno, the legendary Italian singer and songwriter, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. Known for his 1983 hit song “L’Italiano,” which became a global sensation and maintained its popularity for decades, his death was a result of cancer as confirmed by his longtime manager, Danilo Mancuso, from San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.
Throughout his career, spanning from his late teens, Cutugno sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Mancuso, who had worked with Cutugno for two decades, emphasized his ability to create melodies that resonated with audiences, stating, “The refrains of his most popular songs are so melodic and have left a lasting impact on people’s hearts and minds.”
Cutugno’s journey in the music industry began as a drummer and pianist with a local band called Toto e i Tati in Northern Italy. He then ventured into songwriting, showcasing his talent for creating unforgettable songs. He collaborated with renowned French singers like Joe Dassin and Dalida, and also wrote songs for popular Italian artists such as Domenico Modugno, Adriano Celentano, and Gigliola Cinquetti. His compositions were even performed by international stars like Celine Dion.
However, Cutugno didn’t limit himself to writing for others. He formed the disco band Albatros, which achieved national recognition in Italy after securing third place at the Sanremo Festival of Italian Song in 1976. This success propelled him into a solo career, and in 1980, he won the festival with his song “Solo Noi,” gaining widespread recognition in his home country.
Three years later, Cutugno returned to the festival with “L’Italiano.” Although it finished in fifth place, the song became an anthem for Italy’s post-World War II recovery, featuring symbols of the country like espresso, the Fiat Seicento, and a president who fought as a partisan during the conflict. It remains one of Italy’s most well-known songs, frequently played on television and at street festivals, evoking nostalgia for the homeland among expatriates.
The success of “L’Italiano” opened doors for Cutugno’s international career. He toured extensively in the United States, Europe, Turkey, and Russia. Russian audiences particularly embraced his music due to its nostalgic melodies reminiscent of Eastern European musical styles. However, his ties to Russia sparked controversy in 2019 when Ukrainian politicians tried to prevent him from performing in Kyiv. Cutugno clarified that he did not support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, refusing a booking in Crimea after its annexation in 2014, and ultimately proceeded with his performance in Kyiv.
In 1990, Cutugno achieved another milestone by winning the Eurovision Song Festival with his ballad “Insieme: 1992,” dedicated to the European Union and its political integration. Only two other Italians, Gigliola Cinquetti in 1964 and the rock band Maneskin in 2021, had accomplished this feat. At the Sanremo festival that same year, Cutugno had the honor of Ray Charles singing an English-language version of one of his songs. He described this collaboration as the greatest professional satisfaction of his life.
Apart from his music career, Cutugno also pursued television presenting in Italy. Born on July 7, 1943, in the small town of Tendola, near Fosdinovo, in Italy’s northwest mountains, he showed a passion for music from an early age. Survived by his wife, Carla Cutugno, his son, Niko, and two siblings, Roberto and Rosanna Cutugno, Toto Cutugno leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of music.
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