Peppino di Capri dies, the Italian singer who dazzled The Beatles

Peppino di Capri, an Italian singer celebrated for his innovative fusion of Neapolitan song with rock and twist music, has passed away at the age of 88. Di Capri, born Giuseppe Faiella on the island of Capri, gained international recognition early in his career, notably opening for The Beatles during their 1965 visit to Italy. His music, deeply rooted in Italian tradition yet infused with modern rhythms, left a significant mark on the European music scene.

Throughout his extensive career, Di Capri was a prominent figure at the Sanremo Music Festival, sharing the stage with contemporaries like Gigliola Cinquetti. His enduring presence in music was highlighted by his colleague Caterina Caselli, who described him as "a true innovator." Caselli elaborated that Di Capri was the first to blend Italian songs with rock and twist, and also pioneered the fusion of Neapolitan melodies with these energetic genres. His hit song "Champagne" remains a beloved tune, particularly in Brazil, where it is a New Year's Eve staple.

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He was a true innovator: he was the first to fuse Italian song with rock and twist. He was the first to dance Latin American song: he was the first to make Neapolitan song dance with rock and twist… Champagne is a song loved in half the world; in Brazil, it is sung on New Year's Eve. A great among the greats: Carosone, Murolo, Bruni, Pino Daniele.

Di Capri was also remembered as a generous supporter of fellow musicians. Bruno Lauzi, a renowned interpreter, was among those who benefited from Di Capri's camaraderie. An anecdote shared by a journalist recounts Di Capri becoming emotional upon hearing a group attempt to sing Lauzi's poignant song "Il poeta" in a casual setting. Di Capri then joined in, singing the song with heartfelt emotion, transforming the moment into a celebration tinged with sadness, reflecting the song's own blend of joy and sorrow.

Marco Ottaviano, a professor at the University L’Orientale of Naples, witnessed this touching moment. He described how Di Capri, initially unnoticed, emerged to sing "Il poeta," a song he deeply cherished for its narrative quality and its exploration of failure. The performance resonated with those present, underscoring Di Capri's deep connection to music and his fellow artists, a connection that ensured his musical legacy would endure.

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He had great affection for that song, this kind of song that seemed like a story, the consequence of a failure… We didn't know the lyrics, but one of us insisted on singing it. We were eating very good pasta, and we noticed that behind us there was a gentleman listening to us and looking at us. Until suddenly we realized that that gentleman was Peppino di Capri, who started singing this song that he liked very much, because besides Bru