Fabrizio de Andre | Artist
Fabrizio De André was an Italian singer-songwriter and poet born 1940 in Genoa, Italy. Celebrated for his poignant lyrics, evocative storytelling, and unique blend of folk, rock, and traditional Italian music, De André's music transcended genres and captivated audiences with its introspective themes, social commentary, and poetic sensibility. De André, who was regarded as Italy's answer to Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, fearlessly addressed taboo topics such as poverty, marginalisation, and political corruption, earning him a reputation as a subversive and socially conscious artist. His commitment to speaking truth to power and giving voice to the voiceless endeared him to fans and critics alike, establishing him as a cultural icon in Italy and beyond. Born into an upper-class family, de Andre showed an early aptitude for music and his father gave him some George Brassens records, whose songs influenced the style of his first songs. Brassens also inspired De André to become a libertarian and a pacifist, which was influential in his music and later, more-sophisticated productions. Entering university as a pre-law student, De André found music a more effective mode for expressing his views. He found his personal style in music, mixing literature with traditional songs, presenting himself as a contemporary troubador and storyteller. His narrative centered on the stories of marginalised people and antiheroes. During his recording career, De Andre released 13 studio albums plus numerous superb live albums. Standout studio albums include Tutti morimmo a stento (1968), La buona novella (1970), Non al denaro non all'amore né al cielo (1971), Storia di un impiegato (1973), Crêuza de mä (1984), and his final album Anime salve (1996). Also highly recommended is the 1997 live album In concerto: Arrangiamenti PFM, where De Andre is backed by Italian prog band PFM. De André attracted international attention when he was kidnapped, along with his compatriot Dori Ghezzi, in August 1979 and imprisoned for four months by Sardinian criminals. After leading a reclusive life and shunning public appearances, De Andre died from lung cancer in Milan on 11 January 1999, aged 58. Because of the success of his music in Italy and its impact on the Italian collective memory, many public places such as roads, squares, and schools in Italy are named after De André.
Artist Website: wikipedia/Fabrizio_De_Andre
Featured Albums: Fabrizio de Andre
Related Artists: PFM
