Adriano Celentano is one of the most outstanding personalities of sunny Italy in the 20th century. Many generations grew up with his most famous films and songs of the universal idol.
What makes Adriano Celentano so attractive to residents not only of his country but also worldwide? Answers in this article.
Adriano Celentano: a symbol of an entire era…
Singer, composer, actor, public figure, charismatic person, charming man, tender son, and loving husband… All these qualities and roles naturally combine in this talented individual.
Despite not having an ideal appearance, Adriano Celentano conquered and continues to conquer millions of admirers of his talent. All thanks to his unique charisma and outstanding mastery as both a comedian and a dramatic actor.
Celentano’s fame once again proves that not only perfect appearance determines acting talent. But also the qualities of a person’s character, their attitude towards life and others. And the unrestrained desire to give energy, love to the world, and immense work capacity leave a mark in the hearts of fans forever.
It is also worth noting that Celentano starred with outstanding actors of his time, including the charming and unique Ornella Muti. These are beloved films such as “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Madly in Love,” and others. Thanks to them, Adriano Celentano gained love and admiration from many women. He even received the title of sex symbol.
Currently, despite his career not being as active, he continues to record songs and engage in charity work. When asked about his health, he invariably responds: “Alive and kicking!”
About life…
To fully understand the fundamental reason for Celentano’s popularity, it is necessary to refer to some aspects of his biography. Many modern psychologists argue that a person’s popularity largely depends on the attitude of their parents, especially during childhood.
What can be said about Adriano and his close people? It is known that he was the youngest child in the family. When the future star was born (January 6, 1938), his mother, Juditta Celentano, was already 44 years old.
This event took place in Milan, during the Italian celebration of laughter and joy. Although Adriano’s parents, especially his mother, were not in the mood for laughter. Four years prior, she lost her daughter Adriano due to illness. Therefore, she did not harbor high hopes for a smooth birth.
But fate decided otherwise, and the child was born healthy and strong. As a child, he was extraordinarily energetic, mischievous, and quarrelsome. Many neighbors constantly complained to his parents about “The Provocateur” and “Barefoot Earthquake” (their nicknames for him). The child was constantly threatened with punishment, but his parents never carried it out.
The same was true for school. Adriano constantly found excuses to skip classes. And if he did attend, he would often talk back to teachers, loving to be the center of attention among classmates.
Once, in 1943, during a bombing in Milan, a significant event occurred. On that day, Celentano once again refused to get ready for school, and his mother did not insist. Later, it was revealed that a bomb hit the school building, and almost all children died.
Parents are the main thing
Most likely, Celentano’s immense self-confidence, courage, inexhaustible energy, and charisma are rooted in the love of his parents! It protected him from various misfortunes.
His close ones simply adored him. Especially his mother, Juditta – a kind, brave, energetic woman. When his father, Leontino, passed away, they remained alone, as the older children already had their own families and lived separately.
The future celebrity spent his childhood and adolescence in Milan, on a famous street named after the composer Gluck. When the family had to move to another district, it was a real tragedy for Adriano.
Despite harmonious family relations, they did not live in wealth. When his father died, Adriano had to leave school and start working. He began learning the profession of a watchmaker. His mother planned for him to pursue this craft for life. But again, fate intervened.
Celentano fell in love with music and cinema. It was on a film set that he met his future wife, muse, and beloved woman – Claudia Mori.
About love…
The film “Some Strange Guy” united young hearts. And although the girl was not in a hurry to reciprocate, Adriano insisted and won her heart! Charm, kindness, and courage helped him in this.
He declared his first love to Claudia Mori directly from the stage during one of his concerts. The romance was passionate and extraordinarily beautiful. The couple married in 1964 in Grosseto.
The married couple has been together for 55 years! His wife, by character and appearance, is very similar to Celentano’s mother. And he has always had warm and understanding relations with her. Claudia knows how to prepare his favorite dishes or how to approach him in different life situations.
About music…
Adriano was born and raised in a family where everyone loved music. But no one intended to make a career, earn money, or become famous through this hobby. Except Adriano.
The family’s tranquility ended when he was born. All family members and neighbors initially listened to the infantile songs of the future idol, and later, real songs.
The adult love of Adriano Celentano for music manifested itself when he first got a vinyl record with Elvis Presley’s album.
The first fame came with a contest for the best parody of a popular musician. Adriano parodied Louis Prima. And it was so skillful that the future singer, musician, and actor woke up the next day famous in his hometown Milan.
Another hobby of Adriano is rock and roll. His mother supported him in this, attending all his performances. Celentano, in turn, constantly won all contests and festivals.
Thanks to his flexibility and energetic movements, he even earned the nickname “Spring Boy”.
Since the mid-1950s, Adriano Celentano has been writing and performing his own musical compositions. His long-term producer and songwriter was friend Miki Del Prete.
In the early 1960s, Adriano formed his own band and toured across European countries.
Rebirth of a star
Celentano also regularly performed in Sanremo music contests. Although his songs rarely won the main prize, they consistently topped the charts.
One of his well-known compositions is about a guy from Gluck Street. It was the first song with a socio-political character to go around the world.
The popularity of the Celentano-Mori couple was further boosted by another musical event. In 1970, the spouses performed at Sanremo with the song “He Who Doesn’t Work Doesn’t Make Love” and became winners.
In 1979, in collaboration with Toto Cutugno, the musician recorded the album “Soli,” which was warmly received by fans of Adriano Celentano. The collection topped the Italian charts for a whole year.
Another interesting fact: the popular song from the late 1960s performed by Celentano, “Azzurro,” became the unofficial anthem of Italian football fans in 2006.
Regarding the charitable activities of the famous Italian musician, in 2012 a new album by Adriano was released. Despite the country’s crisis, he gave a grand concert attended by about 6,000 people. Interestingly, the ticket price was only 1 euro. This shows that Adriano Celentano believes that happiness is not in money, but in unity of people! He wanted families to come together.
About cinema…
The talent of the well-known and loved Italian is truly multifaceted. His main creative direction is cinema.
His career began in 1963. Besides the previously mentioned films, Celentano also gained fame for roles in:
- “Velvet Hands”;
- “Grumbler”;
- “Bingo-Bongo”;
- “Ace”;
- “Bluff”;
- “He’s Worse Than Me”;
- “Sing-Sing”;
- “Grand Hotel” and others.
Later, from 1970, the actor began writing his own scripts and directing his films. Adriano Celentano also worked as a TV host.
Celentano today…
At 81 years old, the idol looks and feels quite good. He lives on a villa with Claudia. He continues to record songs, play tennis and chess. Interestingly, he has recently rekindled his interest in watchmaking.
Summary
The fact that an asteroid was named after the great Italian in 1987 speaks volumes. The same applies to the fact that Celentano was awarded the highest Milanese award – the “Golden Ambrosia”.
Indeed, the popular actor, musician, TV presenter, and simply a wonderful person has contributed significantly to the culture of his homeland and the world.
He has recorded over forty musical albums, totaling around 150 copies. And he has starred in about forty films…
Celentano is a true symbol of Italy!
In lieu of an epilogue…
In this sunny country, there is a tradition: people who have made a huge contribution to the development of culture, who have captured many hearts, are simply called by their first name. And Adriano is among them! Just like the world-famous Leonardo.
