20 Facts About Renato Carosone

Renato Carosone was a piano prodigy and prominent figure in the Italian music scene in the second half of the 20th century.

Renato Carosone was a modern performer of the so-called canzone napoletana, a traditional music genre from Naples.

Renato Carosone was one of the first post-war Italian artists who sold records and toured in the United States without singing in English.

Renato Carosone studied piano and composition at the Naples Conservatory under Alberto Curci, and obtained his diploma in 1937, when he was just 17.

Renato Carosone decided to remain in East Africa, and he moved on to Asmara in the Eritrean highlands, playing piano in an orchestra at the Circolo Italia.

Renato Carosone adopted her son Giuseppe, known as Pino, born to Lita five years before the wedding.

Shortly thereafter, Renato Carosone moved to Addis Ababa, where he spent a few months as conductor at the White Eagle.

Renato Carosone was a prominent figure of the local music scene, performing a combination of big-band music, Neapolitan songs and Eritrean percussive elements.

Renato Carosone worked at the Odeon Club in Asmara, where he become a prominent figure of the local music scene, building his musical experience with a combination of big-band music, Neapolitan songs and Eritrean percussive elements.

Partially due to his long tenure abroad and inactivity caused by the war, Renato Carosone was discovered to be virtually unknown in his home country.

Renato Carosone started his career afresh, playing piano for small dance-hall bands.

In 1949 Renato Carosone was asked to put together a band for a club's opening night.

Renato Carosone then moved to Pathe and recorded Blue Italian Skies.

At the height of his career, Renato Carosone announced his retirement from music in 1960.

Renato Carosone felt that the advent of Rock and roll had the consequence of making his swing, big-band sound no longer popular: "I'd rather retire now on the crest of the wave, than being tormented later by the idea of rock and roll wiping away all that I have achieved in so many years of hard work".

Away from the spotlight, Renato Carosone turned to other interests, mainly painting.

On 9 August 1975 Renato Carosone made his comeback in a televised concert.

Renato Carosone then resumed his musical career with live concerts, performances at the Sanremo Music Festival and TV appearances until the late 1990s.

The majority of Renato Carosone's songs were the result of his long and fruitful collaboration with the lyricist Nicola Salerno, who used the pseudonym Nisa.

Renato Carosone died on 20 May 2001 at the age of 81 in Rome, Italy.