When I speak to young Italians they always turn their nose up when I say I am a huge fan of Claudio Villa. His voice really appeals to me, but they always remark 'Haha Nikki, onlee my graandmudder leisten to Claaaudio Villa!'. In particular I love the Stornelli Amirosi, which, if you ever want to fall in love in a garden somewhere, just have that playing somewhere in the background.
Claudio was truly "Il Reuccio" (The Little King) of Italian popular music for more than three decades. I had the honor and privilege of knowing him very well back in the mid-70s and we spent many memorable days touring on our motorcycles together. He even ended up purchasing one of them as he was as much of a motorcycle nut as I was. His mellow and powerful voice would shame most tenors these days as his range and tone was comparable only to the Pavarotti-level singers. Listen to his 50's recording of Granada and tell me if there is anyone alive today who can hit AND HOLD those notes. He was not just a popular singing star, as he was a marvelous, amicable, approachable, and highly opinionated intellectual who I truly miss each and every day. Rest in peace, Claudio, your biker bro will always admire your greatness!
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