Salvatore Toto Cutugno passed away. The Italian singer, composer, and musician celebrated for his iconic hits “L’Italiano” and “Insieme: 1992,” has passed away at the age of 80. The singer died after a prolonged illness, with his health deteriorating significantly in the recent months leading up to his passing.
While Modugno as “Mr. Volare” introduced our melody to the US, Toto Cutugno became the emblem of the “authentic Italian” for the global stage. There is no taxi driver, who having perceived our accent, does not look for a hook-up by intoning “lasciatemi cantare”.
– Corriere
Cutugno was born in Tuscany. He started his musical career as a drummer, and at the age of 19 he formed his first band, Toto e I Tati. Less well known is that he co-wrote the music for “Et si tu n’existais pas” and “L’Été indien”.
Toto Cutugno was a consistent contender at the esteemed Italian music festival Sanremo. Notably, he secured victory in 1980, but perhaps more significant of his Sanremo legacy are the remarkable six second-place finishes out of his 15 total participations. His triumph continued at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990, a festival inspired by Sanremo, where his song “Insieme: 1992” clinched the top spot. This song, resembling an anthem, celebrated the unity of Europe.
The funeral will take place in Milan.
