The poet, born on November 1, 1943, told Thierry Ardisson about his chaotic journey from glory to oblivion and recognition.
Its cheerful, blue flower stands out for generations. Salvatore AdamoThe huge star of the 1960s celebrates his 80th birthday on November 1. who is the singer recently had to cancel concerts for health reasons, a popular figure with titles such as snow is falling, My hands on your hips, please let me sir Or mermaids. The artist talked about his life at length in 2001. everyone is talking about itThierry Ardisson’s cult showavailable on the channel INA Arditube.
A life full of triumph and pain. First, suffering. Difficult and uprooted childhood Sicilian parents When he was four years old, he went into exile to Belgium for economic reasons. At the age of seven he suffered from meningitis of the spinal cord. He later suffered deafness in his right ear and paralysis on the same side. “I can sing in stereo“, he laughs. Because very quickly, music appeared like a magical parenthesis. His father saves money to pay for his music lessons. He wins a singing competition (and two kilos of chocolate) by singing. Love is a bouquet of violets By Luis Mariano. “After winning a telecrochet, the minor fame faded within a few months. I wanted to return to my studies but my father encouraged me to persist.”
Forgotten in France, victory in Japan
Success comes eventually. Adamo increased his hits in the 1960s. By 1966 it had reached the point where it was falling behind the Beatles in sales. He bought his parents a house and an Alfa Romeo. The career of diversity artists is a matter of fashion and reputation. Salvatore Adamo is no longer in fashion: too nice, too blue, too soft. “There was May-68. The perspective of a certain group has changed. They thought I couldn’t evolve but I did itThierry Ardisson also defends himself. Every time I tried to surprise, we came up with the song that most closely reflected my old image.»
Adamo left France but had a good international career, particularly in Japan, before facing backlash in the 2000s. Race results: 90 million albums sold. Without making any noise. Secret and popular. With the image of an eternal romantic and peace lover. A popular singer never controls his career. “This is my life, I can’t do anything about it, he was the one who chose me.»
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