Gianni Morandi’s love for Sanremo shines by means of when he tells anecdotes from the previous or shares reflections on the significance the pageant has regained over the previous couple of editions. That love turned an actual factor for the primary time in 1972 together with his debut at Sanremo as a contestant. That began a decent connection that’s about to resume itself as soon as once more, after 51 years.
In between, every part modified: music, the pageant itself, society. Sanremo didn’t at all times handle to painting all of it precisely, as mirrored in declining tv rankings from 2000 to 2018— however the previous couple of editions reversed the pattern.
On this context of rediscovered creative relevancy and sociocultural implications, Morandi will hit the stage of the Ariston Theatre as soon as once more to flank Amadeus as co-host. Billboard Italy spoke with him proper earlier than the beginning of the pageant.
You might have participated in lots of editions of Sanremo in a number of completely different roles. The pageant itself is completely different now. Amadeus’ contact is efficient, ranging from the collection of artists. How are you getting ready for this new version?
I’ve seen each single version of Sanremo since 1958, when Domenico Modugno sang “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu.” To me, Sanremo is a incredible alternative, an excellent stage. I like the truth that I turned such a frequent presence right here. Amadeus added one thing, for certain. He has an excellent data of music and he’s additionally an innovator; he actually opened the doorways to new music traits. He’s a forward-looking form of man. The outcomes of the final three editions show it. What makes Sanremo nice is the songs that keep — that folks don’t overlook and carry on singing. And within the final three years, the hits have been many. Ranging from Måneskin, who turned a world success. They’re extraordinary on their very own, however they began from Sanremo. Amadeus vastly improved the pageant. Now it’s additionally adopted by a youthful viewers.
It’s additionally extra consistent with up to date traits of Italian music, and it promotes artists that aren’t essentially recognized by everybody. How do you see immediately’s music scene? Did you ever get to know an artist higher due to Sanremo?
Effectively, sure. Take La Rappresentante di Lista, Coma Cose, Colapesce and Dimartino, Rkomi: They have been in all probability common sufficient earlier than, however Sanremo gave them the additional enhance, and now they’re powerhouses. These instances when Sanremo was not so influential, I used to suppose: “It’s a disgrace that we don’t worth this chance of visibility for Italian music on this planet.” As a result of the pageant is adopted internationally — ask these artists who reached worldwide recognition because of it. Like Eros Ramazzotti. He participated in Sanremo and have become a world star. Identical factor for Laura Pausini or Andrea Bocelli. And so many songs of Sanremo have been reinterpreted by nice worldwide artists, even Elvis did that [“You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” was his rendition of “Io Che Non Vivo Senza Te”]. So I’m pleased that the pageant went again to reflecting the traits of Italian music. And no person turns up their nostril anymore. This 12 months, the lineup is stuffed with massive names but additionally younger artists — Amadeus encourages them loads.
Sanremo noticed you as a contestant, then as a bunch, then as a contestant once more. Your final participation was simply final 12 months, and now you’re internet hosting the occasion. How did this transition occur?
I’ve at all times had an excellent feeling with Amadeus. We hosted a New 12 months’s Eve celebration collectively, again in 2020. We must always have completed it in Terni, however we ended up doing it in Rome in an empty studio the place we stayed for 5 or 6 hours. He advised me that he needed me as a co-host final 12 months, too. However then he noticed that I submitted the track Jovanotti had written for me. So he didn’t count on me to take part as a contestant. This 12 months, he simply fulfilled a want he expressed two years in the past.
A lot of your life and plenty of of your hits are certain to Sanremo. What are some particular reminiscences?
I bear in mind going to Sanremo to see it up shut once I was 16 or 17. I used to be already singing with a band from Bologna, however I hadn’t even launched my first file again then. A good friend and I made a decision to go see how that dream-like metropolis was, since Domenico Modugno’s efficiency in 1958 had moved me deeply. It was not even the interval of the pageant after we went. Then I at all times adopted it. Within the golden years of Sanremo, I participated in a number of editions of Canzonissima, one other essential TV occasion of that point. This system used to start out in September and finish on Jan. 6, so going on to Sanremo after that appeared a bit an excessive amount of to me. However I had nice events. Franco Migliacci had written “Che Sarà,” however Ricchi e Poveri ended up singing it as an alternative of me. Identical factor with “La Prima Cosa Bella.” After I lastly approached Sanremo, it was in all probability not my finest second, nor with one of the best track. I participated with “Vado a Lavorare” (“I’m Going to Work”]. I acquired a telegram [that said]: “So that you’re lastly going to work! It was time,” signed by [popular comedians] Cochi and Renato. I by no means understood whether or not it was a joke or a severe name.
Understanding them, it might have been each. However apart from the songs, there’s the competitors, which additionally paves the way in which to a global alternative akin to Eurovision. How a lot is that perceived by the artists? And what emotions do they share throughout that week?
Over these days you develop relations and see folks you haven’t met for a very long time. I believe there may be some type of solidarity among the many artists, even when the competitors remains to be there. However they share a variety of issues, and nobody will get mad in the event that they lose. If an artist hits that stage and sings a superb track, the viewers will discover it, whatever the remaining rating. Take Tananai, for instance: He ranked final in 2022, however then he had an enormous success [with “Sesso Occasionale” (“Casual Sex”), which has 37 million streams on Spotify]. The viewers is aware of how you can pay you again.
What do you would like for this version of Sanremo?
I hope to see at the very least 15 or 20 hit songs. That’s the success of Sanremo: when songs final for many years. Eros Ramazzotti’s “Una Storia Importante” (“An Necessary Story”) is nearly 40 years outdated now. Amadeus chosen an excellent lineup this 12 months. There’s a little bit of every part, even massive comebacks akin to Anna Oxa and Cugini di Campagna, but additionally new skills akin to Olly, gIANMARIA, Madame and so many others who symbolize immediately’s music. Sanremo is shining once more. It began with Claudio Baglioni [who was Sanremo’s artistic director in 2018 and 2019], however Amadeus introduced it to the subsequent stage.
