Italian singer-songwriter, record producer and dancer and actor Renato Fiacchini, professionally known as Renato Zero, was born 74 years ago in Italy’s capital city Rome. He was married and has an adopted son.
Since he was very young, Renato had a passion for arts and did not continue with his studies to pursue a music career. In 1965, his first songs were recorded but never released and his first single issued two years later was a total flop.
He worked several jobs like singing and dancing in TV shows, musicals, appearing in commercials and film acting. He also befriended sisters and singers Loredana Berte` and Mia Martini.
Renato used to wear makeup and cross-dress and had this unique appearance on stage and his career was boosted with the introduction of glam-rock music in the beginning of the 70s. Two long plays were released but did not prove successful.
Fate took a positive turn for Renato and in 1976 he had his first album ‘Trapezio’ which featured the hit single ‘Madame’, gaining constant and faithful audiences which continued to grow and grow over the years. Until the early 80s, he had various successful LPs and several chart-topping tracks like ‘Mi Vendo’, ‘Triangolo’, ‘Il Cielo’, ‘Il Carrozzone’ and ‘Spiagge’, amongst others.
After 1984, Renato’s career came to a halt as his next two albums failed to reach the expected success. However, in 1991, Renato rose to fame again when he sang ‘Spalle al Muro’ at the San Remo Music Festival. The LPs released afterwards were very popular and his concerts would be sold out.
Renato also collaborated with other famous artists by writing songs for them as well as sang in duet with tenor Luciano Pavarotti as well as Italian singer Mina.
During the last two decades, Renato continued to release more albums and appeared in several TV shows as guest, presenter and performer. He had about 30 albums which featured in the Top 10 of the Italian charts, one of which was certified Diamond. In addition, he is known to be the only artist to arrive in 1st place on the Italian charts in the last 6 decades i.e. from the 70s to the 00s.
Renato is also a philanthropist and actively takes part in campaigns against drug abuse.
*Image: no infringement intended. Source: thetvjunkies.com