Pino D'Angiò

Giuseppe Chierchia, known professionally as Pino D'Angiò, was an Italian singer-songwriter. He was best known for his 1980 hit Italo disco song, "Ma quale idea".

WWW pinodangio.com

Life and career

Born in Pompei on 14 August 1952 into a family originating from Mercato San Severino, he was the son of engineer Francesco Chierchia, and teacher Franca Romana. D'Angiò spent his childhood between the United States and Canada, following his father, before returning to Italy in 1963. After completing his military service, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at University of Siena. As a music lover, and in need of extra money, he started singing in local bars, where he met record producer Ezio Leoni, with whom, inspired by Fred Buscaglione's artistic personality and style, he made his recording debut in 1979, with the single "È libero, scusi?". In 1980, he obtained international success with his signature song "Ma quale idea", which sold over two million copies in Italy, and 12 million copies worldwide.
He released several more singles and albums in the same style, notably "Un concerto da strapazzo", "Fammi un panino", and "Genoveffa". By 1990, his recordings had sold over four million copies.
Under the name Age of Love, he and producer Bruno Sanchioni released an eponymous track in 1990, which featured vocals by French dancer Valérie Honoré. The vocal is often misattributed to Dutch supermodel Karen Mulder. Starting from the late 1980s, he also worked as a television and radio presenter and writer.
D'Angiò also composed songs for other artists, notably "Ma chi è quello lì" for Mina. In 2024, he took part in the Sanremo Music Festival 2024 where he presented a new version of "Ma quale idea" together with the band Bnkr44; the ensuing single was a hit, being certified platinum.
In his later years D'Angiò faced multiple health issues, including throat cancer, lung cancer, and a stroke. He died suddenly on July 6, 2024, at his home in Formello, at the age of 71, following a serious illness he had suffered in the preceding weeks. His family announced the news on his social media profiles. His funeral was held three days later in Pompeii, at the Church of SS. Salvatore, and he was buried in the local cemetery. The following day, the artist was scheduled to appear on TV, along with Bnkr44, in an episode of TIM Summer Hits, recorded on June 12 of that year in Rome and broadcast on RAI 1; however, his performance was not aired as a sign of mourning and was postponed to July 19.

Discography

Albums

1981 – ...Balla!
1982 – Ti regalo della musica
1983 – Una notte maledetta
1986 – Sunshine Blue
1988 – Gente sì & gente no
1989 – Dancing in Jazz
1991 – STS - Siamo tutti stufi
1997 – Notte d'amore
1999 – I successi
1999 – Ma quale idea? e le altre storie
2002 – Lettere a Federico Fellini
2010 – The Only One
2011 – The Italian Jazz Band & Fred Buscaglione Theory
2016 – Dagli Italiani a Beethoven
2019 – King of Funk - Pino D'Angio
2020 – Jazz donne fragole & Ombrelli
2023 – The New Album
2024 – ''Funky Maestro''

Singles

1979 – È libero, scusi?/La bottega di Mefistole
1980 – Ma quale idea/Lezione d'amore
1981 – Un concerto da strapazzo /Me ne frego di te
1981 – Okay okay/Una notte da impazzire + Mannaggia rock and roll
1982 – Fammi un panino/Questo amore è un motore
1983 – Evelonpappà evelonmammà/Mani in alto
1983 – Una notte maledetta/I tabaccai
1987 – Più sexy/Alquanto arrabbiati
1989 – Bella margherita/Gente intelligente
1990 – The Age of Love G. Chierchia/B. Sanchioni - Vocals: Valérie Honoré
1991 – Gli sgarbi si pagano/L'inverno
2010 – Montecarlo
2010 – Without Without You
2011 – Che strano amore questo amore
2013 – A South American Girl
2019 – La Lampada
2020 – Patatonza
2020 – Marilyn Is Waiting For Me
2020 – FAI TUTTO TU
2020 – CASINO CASINO
2020 – SOLO
2020 – SMETTILA
2020 – Slow
2020 – Poker
2020 – Non lo so chi era
2020 – L'HO CONOSCIUTA
2020 – IL DOMATORE
2020 – CANZONE LENTA
2020 – CHI E' STATO
2022 – Non dormo mai
2022 – Funky Jump
2023 – Sali sul treno
2024 – MA CHE IDEA
2024 – ''Paperina Qua Qua''