Gino Santercole
Encyclopedia
Gino Santercole is an Italian singer/songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He is well known for his breakthrough hit "Questo vecchio pazzo mondo" ("This old crazy world"), a cover of P.F. Sloan's "Eve of Destruction," and for the song "Such a Cold Night Tonight" that he sang in the movie Yuppi Du.
, Italy, on November 21, 1940. His family is from Puglia. Santercole's mother, Rosa, was the sister of singer, comedian, and movie director Adriano Celentano
.
Santercole lost his father as a child, he spent some years in college, and is then forced to go to work as a kid, by himself. He was fond of rock'n'roll, and in his free time he learned to play the guitar.
Celentano recruited Santercole for his group, the Rock Boys, when his second guitarist, Ico Cerutti, left the group. Santercole became a Rock Boy just in time to participate in the First Italian Festival of Rock and Roll, held May 18, 1957 at the Via Piranesi Ice Palace in Milan. Record producer Walter Guertler was in the festival audience, and signed the Rock Boys to a recording contract right after the show.
Santercole began singing as well; the first song he sang on was "Sono un fallito" ("I am a Failure"), a cover of Ray Charles
's "Busted." That was followed by his own solo single, 'Silver Star
', in December 1964, which got good airplay and chart success in early 1965. In 1965 he released a solo EP, credited to Santercole with Celentano and Don Backy
.
Then in 1966 Santercole sang on and released the single "Questo vecchio pazzo mondo" ("This old crazy world"). The song is a cover of the folk-rock/protest song written by P.F. Sloan, 'Eve of Destruction
' which became a hit when covered by Barry McGuire
in 1966. Santercole performs the song in Cantagiro in 1967. Celentano used the same music tracks and lyrics in 1984 on his album I miei americani (My American), a collection of U.S. hits translated into Italian, and again in the first episode of his 1999 television show, Francamente me ne infischio (Frankly I don't care) in 1999.
In 1966 Santercole participated in Festival di Sanremo with his uncle, Ico Cerutti and Pilade, performing "Il ragazzo della via Gluck" ("The Kid from Gluck Street") under the name Trio of Clan; however, they are eliminated in the early evening.
Meanwhile the kinship with Celentano is strengthened. Celentano separated from his Milena Cantù and married actress and singer Claudia Mori
, while Santercole fell in love with and married Mori's sister, Anna Moroni (becoming the brother-in-law of his uncle). Anna Santercole will bear him two sons.
"A Caress into a Fist" was the first song Santercole wrote. He had never tried to write a song, because he did not believe he could. One day, though, when learning a new song -- Bert Kaempfert
's "Strangers in the Night
" -- on guitar, he found himself varying notes and finally playing a completely different song, the one that became "A Caress into a Fist".
Other hits followed: "Svalutation", a rock song with electric guitar, on his 1976 album (which also contained his songs "The Boat" and "Room 21"), "A boy on the Lion", and "Remarkably" (written initially for Mina, with lyrics by Luciano Beretta).
Santercole also composed music for movies. He is credited with the soundtracks of Segni Particolari: Bellisimo (Distinguishing Features: Beautiful) (1983) and Joan Lui – Ma Un Giorno Nel Paese Arrivo 10 Di Lunedi (1985). In addition he did numerous work on the music of Celentano's films; a highlight being his hit "Such a Cold Night Tonight" (which Santercole sang in English), from the movie Yuppi du.
In 1969, Santercole also began an acting career. While he had previously played cameos and parts, his first substantial role came in the 1969 film Serafino (Seraphim). One day he visited Celentano, who had landed a role in the movie, on set; the director, Paolo Germi, saw him, thought he had a good face, and cast him as the Sergeant.
As an actor, Santercole has worked with directors like Pietro Germi
, Dino Risi, Giuliano Montaldo
, Luigi Comencini
, Luciano Salce
, and Mario Monicelli
. He has cast credits in four movies: Mani Di Velluto (1979), Yuppi du (1975), Il Commisario Pepe (1969), and Serafino (1969).
On January 22, 2007, Santercole agreed to participate with Varese at a celebration of the 50th anniversary of rock 'n' roll in Italy, along with Pennant, the Rebels, Rosie, Ghigo Agosti, and others. In September 2008 Santercole was a guest at the Festival in Venice with Adriano Celentano for the new release of Yuppi Du. 2009 in June he hosted the programme of Rai Two Stracult Show of Marco Giusti German in a sketch comedian with Stefano Sarcinelli and Nicola Vicidomini.
On April 13, 2010, Santercole released a new album, titled Nobody is Alone, on which he had composed all of the music. (Mimmo Politanò wrote the lyrics).
LPs
CDs
EPs
CDs
Soundtracks
Except where noted, film information courtesy of Internet Movie Database..
Early life
Santercole was born in MilanMilan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy, on November 21, 1940. His family is from Puglia. Santercole's mother, Rosa, was the sister of singer, comedian, and movie director Adriano Celentano
Adriano Celentano
Adriano Celentano is an Italian singer, songwriter, comedian, actor, film director and TV host.-Biography:Celentano was born in Milan at 14 Via Gluck, about which he later wrote the famous song "Il ragazzo della via Gluck"...
.
Santercole lost his father as a child, he spent some years in college, and is then forced to go to work as a kid, by himself. He was fond of rock'n'roll, and in his free time he learned to play the guitar.
Celentano recruited Santercole for his group, the Rock Boys, when his second guitarist, Ico Cerutti, left the group. Santercole became a Rock Boy just in time to participate in the First Italian Festival of Rock and Roll, held May 18, 1957 at the Via Piranesi Ice Palace in Milan. Record producer Walter Guertler was in the festival audience, and signed the Rock Boys to a recording contract right after the show.
The Rebels and the solo debut
The Rock Boys evolved into the Rebels, who backed up Celentano and other singers such as Ricky Clem Sacco and Gianco. Celentano began a solo career and soon Santercole became the group's lead guitarist.Santercole began singing as well; the first song he sang on was "Sono un fallito" ("I am a Failure"), a cover of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
's "Busted." That was followed by his own solo single, 'Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
', in December 1964, which got good airplay and chart success in early 1965. In 1965 he released a solo EP, credited to Santercole with Celentano and Don Backy
Don Backy
Don Backy, real name — Aldo Caponi, is an Italian singer and author. He collaborated with Sofia Rotaru for "Grey Bird" - Ukrainian version of Italian song "L'immensità".-External links:*...
.
Then in 1966 Santercole sang on and released the single "Questo vecchio pazzo mondo" ("This old crazy world"). The song is a cover of the folk-rock/protest song written by P.F. Sloan, 'Eve of Destruction
Eve of Destruction
"Eve of Destruction" is a protest song written by P. F. Sloan in 1965. Several artists have recorded it, but the best-known recording was by Barry McGuire. This recording was made between July 12 and July 15, 1965 and released by Dunhill Records. The accompanying musicians were top-tier LA session...
' which became a hit when covered by Barry McGuire
Barry McGuire
Barry McGuire is an American singer-songwriter best known for the hit song "Eve of Destruction", and later as a pioneering singer and songwriter of Contemporary Christian Music.-Early life:...
in 1966. Santercole performs the song in Cantagiro in 1967. Celentano used the same music tracks and lyrics in 1984 on his album I miei americani (My American), a collection of U.S. hits translated into Italian, and again in the first episode of his 1999 television show, Francamente me ne infischio (Frankly I don't care) in 1999.
In 1966 Santercole participated in Festival di Sanremo with his uncle, Ico Cerutti and Pilade, performing "Il ragazzo della via Gluck" ("The Kid from Gluck Street") under the name Trio of Clan; however, they are eliminated in the early evening.
Meanwhile the kinship with Celentano is strengthened. Celentano separated from his Milena Cantù and married actress and singer Claudia Mori
Claudia Mori
Claudia Mori , is an Italian actress, singer, television producer, and wife of the singer Adriano Celentano.-1960s:...
, while Santercole fell in love with and married Mori's sister, Anna Moroni (becoming the brother-in-law of his uncle). Anna Santercole will bear him two sons.
Composer and actor
Santercole has written many famous and significant songs of Italian music, including some of great success. His first success was "A Caress into a Fist" ("Una carezza in un pugno"), initially recorded by Celantano as a B-side in 1968. The song has becoe an evergreen of Italian pop music is, having been used several times by Celentano in his television programs. In 1992 the singer and Fiorello imitator included a new cover of "A Caress into a Fist" on his album Again fake."A Caress into a Fist" was the first song Santercole wrote. He had never tried to write a song, because he did not believe he could. One day, though, when learning a new song -- Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, such as "Strangers in the Night" and "Spanish Eyes".-Biography:He was born in Hamburg, Germany - where he received his lifelong...
's "Strangers in the Night
Strangers in the Night
"Strangers in the Night" is a popular song composed by Bert Kaempfert with English lyrics by Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder. It was originally created under the title Beddy Bye as part of the instrumental score for the movie A Man Could Get Killed...
" -- on guitar, he found himself varying notes and finally playing a completely different song, the one that became "A Caress into a Fist".
Other hits followed: "Svalutation", a rock song with electric guitar, on his 1976 album (which also contained his songs "The Boat" and "Room 21"), "A boy on the Lion", and "Remarkably" (written initially for Mina, with lyrics by Luciano Beretta).
Santercole also composed music for movies. He is credited with the soundtracks of Segni Particolari: Bellisimo (Distinguishing Features: Beautiful) (1983) and Joan Lui – Ma Un Giorno Nel Paese Arrivo 10 Di Lunedi (1985). In addition he did numerous work on the music of Celentano's films; a highlight being his hit "Such a Cold Night Tonight" (which Santercole sang in English), from the movie Yuppi du.
In 1969, Santercole also began an acting career. While he had previously played cameos and parts, his first substantial role came in the 1969 film Serafino (Seraphim). One day he visited Celentano, who had landed a role in the movie, on set; the director, Paolo Germi, saw him, thought he had a good face, and cast him as the Sergeant.
As an actor, Santercole has worked with directors like Pietro Germi
Pietro Germi
Pietro Germi was an Italian actor, screenwriter, and director. Germi was born in Genoa, Liguria, to a lower-middle class family. He was a messenger and briefly attended nautical school before deciding on a career in acting.He studied acting and directing at Rome's Centro Sperimentale di...
, Dino Risi, Giuliano Montaldo
Giuliano Montaldo
Giuliano Montaldo is an Italian film director.While he was still a young student, Montaldo was recruited by the director Carlo Lizzani for the role of leading actor in the film Achtung! Banditi!...
, Luigi Comencini
Luigi Comencini
Luigi Comencini was an Italian film director. Together with Dino Risi, Ettore Scola and Mario Monicelli, he was considered among the masters of the commedia all'italiana genre....
, Luciano Salce
Luciano Salce
Luciano Salce was an Italian film director and actor. His 1962 film Le pillole di Ercole was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival....
, and Mario Monicelli
Mario Monicelli
Mario Monicelli was an Italian director and screenwriter and one of the masters of the Commedia all'Italiana , three times nominated for Oscar.-Biography:...
. He has cast credits in four movies: Mani Di Velluto (1979), Yuppi du (1975), Il Commisario Pepe (1969), and Serafino (1969).
Return to television and reconciliation with Celentano
In 1999 Santercole collaborated on the new album by Pio Trebbi, lead singer of the Clan Celentano, who was experiencing economic difficulties: the two wrote the song "The Last of the Clan'. To help, Santercole contacted Celentano, who decided to join the two in an episode of his television program Francamente me ne infischio. The symbol of peace between the two after that in the past there had been some disagreements.On January 22, 2007, Santercole agreed to participate with Varese at a celebration of the 50th anniversary of rock 'n' roll in Italy, along with Pennant, the Rebels, Rosie, Ghigo Agosti, and others. In September 2008 Santercole was a guest at the Festival in Venice with Adriano Celentano for the new release of Yuppi Du. 2009 in June he hosted the programme of Rai Two Stracult Show of Marco Giusti German in a sketch comedian with Stefano Sarcinelli and Nicola Vicidomini.
On April 13, 2010, Santercole released a new album, titled Nobody is Alone, on which he had composed all of the music. (Mimmo Politanò wrote the lyrics).
With the Rebels
45s- 1960 Rebels in blues/blue shirt -(Italdisc, IR-69)
- 1961 Henry VIII/200 per hour -(Boško Peraica, QB 8031)
- 1962 La cavalcata/Serenata a Valle Chiara -(Clan Celentano, ACC 24002)
- 1963 at nine o'clock in the bar/Danny boy - Clan Celentano/I Rebels, R 6000; (The b-side is credited to Christmas Befanino and the Raebels)
- 1964 who is la ragazza del Clan?/quella donna -(Clan Celentano/I Rebels, R 6002)
LPs
- 1968 I Ribelli - (Dischi Ricordi, SMRP 9052)
- 1988 I Ribelli live - (CGDCompagnia Generale del DiscoCGD was an Italian record label.-History:CGD was founded in 1948 by singer Teddy Reno. At that time it was established in Milan in Via Passarella 4...
, LSM1315)
CDs
- 2002: I Ribelli (The Rebels). (Sony/BMG 191192)
- 2010: Cantano Adriano (Sing Adriano). (Indie Europe/Zoom 7794766)
Solo
45s- 1964: attached to ceiling/If you want -(Clan Celentano, ACC 24017)
- 1964: Silver Star/without shoes -(Clan Celentano, ACC 24020)
- 1965: Oh Rose ' Rosetta/ladies and gentlemen -(Clan Celentano, ACC 24025)
- 1966: this old crazy world/our time -(Clan Celentano, ACC 24042)
- 1967: the fight of love/soul -(Clan Celentano, ACC 24056)
- 1968: Jane and John/how beautiful the day -(Clan Celentano, ACC 24076)
- 1969: Poor Gino/Barbara -(Clan Celentano, BF 69024)
- 1970: the King of fantasy/how sad night -(Clan Celentano, BF 69045)
- 1975: Such a cold night tonight/the ballad -(Clan CelentanoCLN 3040)
- 1978: Giovanna/Uacci-du amor -(Valiant, ZBV 7087)
- 1980: Change for change, no!/Ancora us -(MONLupus, 4909; with Blue Valente)
- 1981: Adriano t set fire/the love -(Cherry White, CB-85; with Blue Valente)
- 1982: Love is blue/Cavomba -(DailyMusic, DLM-31014 Blue;)
- 2010: nobody is only -(SONY)
EPs
- 1965: Hi guys/who have it with me/I'm a failure/I want to sleep (-Hi! Boys, ACC-SP-25002; with , Adriano Celentano and Don Backy; Santercole sings "I'm a failure")
CDs
- 2000: Gino Santercole. (D'azur 1525) TBP series Yesterdays; re-recording with new arrangements of the biggest hits)
- 2005: Il Meglio (The Best). (DV More). UPC 8014406624564
- 2010: Nessuno è solo (No one is alone). (Sony Music).
Soundtracks
- 1983: Segni Particolari: Bellisimo (Distinguishing Features: Beautiful) (CGD Records 20406) (Cetra LPX 119).
- 1985: Joan Lui - ma un giorno nel paese arrivo io di lunedì (Joan Lui - but one day I arrive in the country on Monday).
Filmography
- 1960: San Remo, la grande sfida (San Remo, the Great Challenge), dir. Piero Vivarelli. As himself.
- 1961: Io bacio... tu baci (I Kiss ... You Kiss) dir. Piero Vivarelli.
- 1963: Uno strano tipo (A Strange Kind), dir. Lucio FulciLucio FulciLucio Fulci was an Italian film director, screenwriter, and actor. He is perhaps best known for his directorial work on gore films, including Zombie and The Beyond , although he made films in genres as diverse as giallo, western, and comedy...
. As himself. - 1964: Cleopazza, dir. Carlo Moscovini.
- 1964: Super rapina a Milano (Super Heist in Milan), dir. Adriano CelentanoAdriano CelentanoAdriano Celentano is an Italian singer, songwriter, comedian, actor, film director and TV host.-Biography:Celentano was born in Milan at 14 Via Gluck, about which he later wrote the famous song "Il ragazzo della via Gluck"...
[and Piero Vivarelli]. - 1968: Rose rosse per il führer (Red Roses for the Fuhrer), dir. Fernando di Leo. British parachutist.
- 1968: SerafinoSerafino (film)Serafino is a 1968 film directed by Pietro Germi.-Cast:* Adriano Celentano : Serafino* Saro Urzì* Francesca Romana Coluzzi* Ottavia Piccolo* Amedeo Trilli* Nerina Montagnani...
(Seraphim), dir. Pietro GermiPietro GermiPietro Germi was an Italian actor, screenwriter, and director. Germi was born in Genoa, Liguria, to a lower-middle class family. He was a messenger and briefly attended nautical school before deciding on a career in acting.He studied acting and directing at Rome's Centro Sperimentale di...
. Sergeant. - 1969: Il commisario Pepe (Police Chief Pepe), dir. Ettore Scolo. Oreste.
- 1969: Infanzia, vocazione e prime esperienze di Giacomo Casanova, veneziano (Childhood, vocation and early experiences of Giacomo Casanova, Venetian), dir. Luigi ComenciniLuigi ComenciniLuigi Comencini was an Italian film director. Together with Dino Risi, Ettore Scola and Mario Monicelli, he was considered among the masters of the commedia all'italiana genre....
. Baffo. - 1969: Il giovane normale (The Normal Young Man, dir. Dino Risi. Giorgio.
- 1971: Er più - Storia d'amore e di coltello (Er more: Story of love and a Knife), dir. Sergio CorbucciSergio CorbucciSergio Corbucci was an Italian film director. He is best known for his very violent yet intelligent spaghetti westerns...
. - 1972: Il sindacalista (The Union, dir. Luciano SalceLuciano SalceLuciano Salce was an Italian film director and actor. His 1962 film Le pillole di Ercole was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival....
. - 1973: Un amore così fragile, così violento (A Love So Fragile, So Violent), dir. Leros Pittoni. Russo.
- 1973: Il delitto Matteoti (Matteoti's Murder), dir. Florestano VanciniFlorestano VanciniFlorestano Vancini was an award-winning Italian film director and screenwriter.He directed over 20 movies since 1960...
. Fascist. - 1973: Li chiamavano i tre moschettieri... invece erano quattro (They Were Called Three Musketeers ... But They Were Four), dir. Silvio AmadioSilvio AmadioSilvio Amadio was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 24 films between 1957 and 1981. His film Wolves of the Deep was entered into the 9th Berlin International Film Festival.-Selected filmography:...
. - 1974: I figli di nessuno (Nobody's Children, dir. Bruno Gaburro.
- 1974: Sesso in testa (Sex Head), dir. Sergio Ammirata [and Fernando de Leo]. Diana's boyfriend.
- 1974: Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare (Almost Human), dir, Umberto LenziUmberto LenziUmberto Lenzi , is an Italian film director who was very active in low budget crime films, peplums, spaghetti westerns, war movies, cannibal films and giallo murder mysteries ....
. Vittorio. - 1975: Amore vuol dir gelosia (Love is the Meaning of Jealousy), dir. Mauro Severino.
- 1975: Labbra di lurido blu (Lips of Lurid Blue), dir. Alberto.
- 1976: Yuppi du, dir. Adriano CelentanoAdriano CelentanoAdriano Celentano is an Italian singer, songwriter, comedian, actor, film director and TV host.-Biography:Celentano was born in Milan at 14 Via Gluck, about which he later wrote the famous song "Il ragazzo della via Gluck"...
[and Miky del Prety]. Napoleone. - 1976: L'Agnese va a morire (And Agnes Chose to Die), dir. Giuliano MontaldoGiuliano MontaldoGiuliano Montaldo is an Italian film director.While he was still a young student, Montaldo was recruited by the director Carlo Lizzani for the role of leading actor in the film Achtung! Banditi!...
. Piròn. - 1978: Geppo il folle (Geppo the Crazy), dir. Adriano CelentanoAdriano CelentanoAdriano Celentano is an Italian singer, songwriter, comedian, actor, film director and TV host.-Biography:Celentano was born in Milan at 14 Via Gluck, about which he later wrote the famous song "Il ragazzo della via Gluck"...
. First journalist. - 1978: Viaggio con Anita (Travels with Anita) (dir. Mario MonicelliMario MonicelliMario Monicelli was an Italian director and screenwriter and one of the masters of the Commedia all'Italiana , three times nominated for Oscar.-Biography:...
) - 1979: Profumo e balocchi (Perfume and Toys), dir. Angelo Jacono.
- 1979: Switch, dir. Giuseppe Collizi. Annibale.
- 1979: Super Andy, il fratello brutto di Superman (Super Andy, Superman's Bad Brother), dir. Paolo Banchini.
- 1979: Mani di velluto (Velvet Hands), dir. Franco CastellanoFranco CastellanoFranco Castellano was an Italian screenwriter and film director. He wrote for 94 films between 1958 and 1997. He also directed 21 films between 1964 and 1992...
and Giuseppe MocciaGiuseppe MocciaGiuseppe Moccia was an Italian screenwriter and film director. He wrote for 96 films between 1958 and 2001. He also directed 21 films between 1964 and 1997...
. Leo di Giordano. - 1980: Sono fotogenico (I'm Photogenic), dir. Dino Risi. Sergio.
- 1982: Marco Polo, TV mini-series, dir. Giuliano MontaldoGiuliano MontaldoGiuliano Montaldo is an Italian film director.While he was still a young student, Montaldo was recruited by the director Carlo Lizzani for the role of leading actor in the film Achtung! Banditi!...
. Giuseppe. - 1987: Fantastico 8 (episode 1.13, Dec. 26) , TV Series, dir. Luigi Bonori, (Dec. 26). As himself.
- 1988: Rally, TV series, dir. Sergio MartinoSergio MartinoSergio Martino is an Italian film director and producer, notable for his contributions to the giallo genre.Martino is the brother of producer Luciano Martino. They collaborated frequently in their respective professions...
. - 2004: "Crimini d'amori" ("Crimes of Love"), Diritto di Difesa (Right of Defense) (episode 1.6, Feb. 3), TV series, dir. Gianfrancesco LazottiGianfrancesco LazottiGianfrancesco Lazotti is an Italian film screenwriter and director. Born in Rome, Lazotti studied at DAMS in Bologna and apprenticed as assistant director to many well-known Italian directors, including Ettore Scola and Dino Risi. Meanwhile he launched his own career directing commercials and...
and Donatella Maiorca.
Except where noted, film information courtesy of Internet Movie Database..