Italian Romantic Pop: 1960s

Italy's golden era of romantic pop ran from roughly 1960 to 1965 but extended into the early '70s. Prior to its arrival was the dated operatic pop of the 1950s. On the other end and overlapping was the banal yeah-yeah movement of the mid- and late 1960s. Sandwiched in between was this love-struck pop ballad style triggered by a new generation of young adults who were children during World War II. This music became the backdrop for La Dolce Vita—which translated meant "the sweet life," as exemplified by the film of the same name directed by Federico Fellini in 1960. [Photo above of Italian romantic-pop singer Patty Pravo]

What brings all of this on, you ask? As readers know, I love drilling down on obscure corners of music history. The inspiration for this journey was my post last week on Roberto Magris's album, Sun Stone, which included a cover of a Memo Remigi's Innamorati a Milano, a 1965 hit that I fondly recalled from a trip to Rome as a child. This gorgeous but all-too brief period in pop sums up cinematic Italy in all its glory. I must also confess to missing Milan and Rome, cities I love. [Photo above of Italian romantic-pop singer Mina]

The shift in Italy's pop music in the early 1960s owes a great deal to the rise of a more stylish approach to Italian cinema and fashion that the Western world was beginning to take seriously. As incomes climbed in Italy thanks to tourism, manufacturing and exports, TV sales surged and so did the number of live TV variety and talent shows. Most of the romantic-pop singers who emerged were deeply passionate and ready for prime time. While the language barrier barred their access to the English and American pop markets (most of the top singers weren't known outside of Italy), they became nearly as popular in their home country as their movie-star counterparts. It was the music of a new generation proud of its heritage, optimistic about its future and seeking love [Photo above of Italian romantic-pop singer Peppino Gagliardi]

Here are 10 videos of Italian romantic-pop singers during this period, plus two bonus videos. And if you dig interior design, each clip features fabulous mid-century Italian-modern sets:

Here's Fred Bongusto with a full orchestra...

Here's Mina...

Here's Peppino Gagliardi...

Here's Ornella Vanoni...

Here's Mina...

Here's another by Ornella Vanoni...

Here's Pino Donaggio...

Here's Johnny Dorelli and Patty Pravo...

Here's Mina...

Here's Ornella Vanoni...

Bonus: Here's Memo Remigi singing his 1965 hit Innamorati a Milano in 2013. Remigi is still with us. Love those screens featuring footage of 1960s Milan...

Bonus2: Chet Baker was part of this scene as well when he recorded four romantic pop songs in Rome in 1962 backed by Ennio Morricone. Here's Chetty's Lullaby...