Johnny Dorelli

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Johnny Dorelli
Johnny Dorelli in 1958
Johnny Dorelli in 1958
Background information
Birth nameGiorgio Guidi
Also known asD.Johnny, Dorellik
Born (1937-02-20) 20 February 1937 (age 84)
Meda, Milan, Italy
GenresEasy listening, Jazz, Swing, Pop
InstrumentsVocalist, Piano, Double-Bass
Years active1951–present
Johnny Dorelli in 1965

Johnny Dorelli (real name Giorgio Guidi; born 20 February 1937, in Meda) is an Italian actor, singer and television host.

Life and career[]

Early life

Dorelli was born in Italy. In 1946 he moved to New York with his family, where his father, Nino D'Aurelio (born Aurelio Guidi), found work as opera singer. Dorelli studied double bass and piano at the High School of Music and Art in New York.

His show business career began when he was discovered by bandleader Percy Faith, who made him participate on The Ken Murray Show. He later appears on the show conducted by Robert Alda, accompanied by Paul Whiteman. He receive a great success, in fact some American newspapers described Dorelli as a "phenomenal Italian boy". However he returned to Italy in 1955 due to the expiry of his residence permit.

He debuted as singer and pianist in the late 1950s for CGD label with cover of American standards; Lover, What is this thing called love, Love me or leave me and many others.

Career

His first success was Calypso melody in 1957. In 1958 and in 1959 he won the Sanremo Festival in duo with Domenico Modugno, with the songs "Nel blu dipinto di blu" (also known as "Volare") and "Piove (Ciao ciao bambina)". His most famous songs of the period are : Julia (1958), Boccuccia Di Rosa (Pink Lips) (1958), Love In Portofino (1959), Lettera A Pinocchio (1959), Montecarlo (1961).

In 1962 he appears on The Ed Sullivan Show and sings his smooth ballad Love in Portofino and You're the Top with Connie Francis and Johnny Hallyday.

As a (popular and jazz) crooner, he sang numerous songs live on television shows (mainly in the 60's), in Italian and in English.

In 1967 "L'immensità" earned Dorelli a ninth place at the 1967 edition of the Sanremo Song Festival.[1] In the same year he was the lead actor on the movie How to Kill 400 Duponts, a parody of the comic series Diabolik. With this role, Dorelli had a great success and he inspired the character of Paperinik. Some songs of this periods are Speedy Gonzales (1962), Era Settembre (1964), Probabilmente (1965), Al Buio Sto Sognando (1966), Solo Più Che Mai (Strangers In The Night) (1966), Arriva La Bomba (1967), I Think of You (1972).

His greatest success was the musical Aggiungi un posto a tavola, which was also performed at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End in an English version entitled Beyond the Rainbow in 1978.

After a period of absence, he returned to success in the 1980s. In 1983, he played St. Philip Neri in Luigi Magni's TV film State buoni se potete. Dorelli's latest feature film role is in Pupi Avati's Ma quando arrivano le ragazze (2004).

In 2007 he returned after 38 years to the stage of Sanremo as a participant with the song Meglio così, written by big names as Gianni Ferrio and Giorgio Calabrese, and accompanied by jazz pianist Stefano Bollani and the orchestra conducted by Ferrio.

Curiosity[]

For his typical singing style, Dorelli has often been imitated by musical comedians and impersonators.

Besides he has two eyes of different colors; condition called heterochromia iridum

Personal life[]

Had a long relationship with actress Lauretta Masiero , then married actress Catherine Spaak (1972–1978), and in 1981 Gloria Guida, a former model and actress in Italian comedy movies of the 1970s.

Selected filmography[]

Discography[]

Albums

  • 1955 - Songo americano (CGD, MV 203)
  • 1958 - Cordialmente (CGD, MV 224)
  • 1958 - È arrivato da Sanremo (CGD, MV 225)
  • 1958 - Dance with (Liberty, I 8508)
  • 1959 - We Like Johnny (CGD, FG 5002)
  • 1959 - Sanremo 1959 (CGD, SR 1012)
  • 1964 - 30 anni di canzoni d'amore (CGD, FG 5010)
  • 1965 - Viaggio Sentimentale (CGD, FG 5017)
  • 1965 - Johnny Dorelli (CGD, FG 5024)
  • 1967 - L'immensità (CGD, FG 5032)
  • 1970 - Promesse Promesse (CGD, FGS 5063, con Catherine Spaak)
  • 1973 - Le canzoni che piacciono a lei (CGD, 69030)
  • 1975 - Aggiungi un posto a tavola (CGD, 88119)
  • 1975 - Toi et Moi (CGD, 69060, con Catherine Spaak)
  • 1978 - Giorgio (WEA Italiana, T56588)
  • 1980 - Accendiamo la lampada (Cam, ARSAG 29103)
  • 1989 - Mi son svegliato e c'eri tu (Five Record, FM 14204)
  • 2004 - Swingin' (Carosello, CARSM120-2)
  • 2007 - Swingin' - parte seconda (Carosello, CARSM198)

References[]

  1. ^ Indice brani (in Italian) at HitParadeItalia site
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