 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
Fred Bongusto | |
|---|---|
 Fred Bongusto in July 1975 | |
| Born | Alfredo Antonio Carlo Buongusto 6 April 1935 Campobasso, Molise, Italy |
| Died | 8 November 2019 (aged 84) Rome, Italy |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Political party | PSI |
Alfredo Antonio Carlo Buongusto (6 April 1935 – 8 November 2019), known by his stage nameFred Bongusto, was an Italianlight music singer, songwriter and composer who was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s.
Bongusto was born inCampobasso. He made his recording debut with the song "Bella Bellissima", a song written by Ghigo Agosti and produced by theMilan-based label Primary. It was released on phonographic record in 1960. Some of his most successful songs include "Amore fermati", "Una rotonda sul mare", "Spaghetti a Detroit" and "Prima c'eri tu", which won the 1966 edition ofUn disco per l'estate. Bongusto's proclivity for exploring Latin American rhythms and American Big Band swing made him very popular in South America, especially in Brazil. He had collaborated withToquinho,Vinicius de Moraes andJoão Gilberto, who successfully covered Bongusto's song "Malaga" in his 1991 albumJoão.[1]
He composed the soundtracks of more than 30 films, includingDay After Tomorrow (1968),Un Detective (1969),The Divorce (1970),Come Have Coffee with Us (1970),The Eroticist (1972),Gli ordini sono ordini (1972),White Sister (1972),Malicious (1973),Lovers and Other Relatives (1974),I'll Take Her Like a Father (1974),The Sex Machine (1975),Al piacere di rivederla (1976),Oh, Serafina! (1976),The Cricket (1980),Fantozzi contro tutti (1980),Fracchia la belva umana (1981) andSuperfantozzi (1986). He also starred inObiettivo ragazze (1961), andQuesti pazzi, pazzi italiani (1965).
In the 1990s, he was elected as aPSI town councillor inBari.[2] On 18 March 2005, the President of the Council,Silvio Berlusconi, presented him with a silver plate to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his musical debut. On 2 June 2005, he was awarded the title ofCommendatore by PresidentCarlo Azeglio Ciampi.[3][4]
He was married to Gabriella Palazzoli,[5] an Italiansoubrette, who was famous in the 1950s and 1960s. She is known for starring in the filmBuonanotte... Avvocato! withAlberto Sordi.
In 1960, before their marriage, Palazzoli had a previous marriage with American actorJohn Drew Barrymore, who is the father of her daughter Blyth Dolores. Blyth was raised by Bongusto.
Bongusto spent much of his time inIschia, in the village of Sant'Angelo. Bongusto died in Rome on 8 November 2019, after a long illness, at the age of 84.[6]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
