The phone keeps ringing. It’s the big day. That of the 80s Al Bano Carrisi. It wasn’t until Saturday when we met the amazing singer and performer who grappled with him four times 20 This is also the title of the one-man show in the Arena of Verona. Canale 5 will broadcast the event tomorrow morning. On stage with the birthday child, a round with guests, friends and colleagues: Gianni Morandi, Umberto Tozzi, The Rich and the Poor, Arisa, Iva Zanicchi And Renato Zero and obvious Romina Power.
Also read: Al Bano, ‘Four Times a Day Garbage’: The Truth About Romina’s Breakup
Maestro, does four times 20 make you feel like a perpetual twenty year old?
“Not a perpetual twenty-year-old, but a four-times perpetual twenty-year-old! With all the aches and pains and joys and storms and calms to come. In a word: life.”
His name is the tribute his father wished to pay to Albania, from which he returned safely during the war years. Did you have any other contacts in the land of the eagles?
“The Albanians told me that I opened the doors of democracy in their country. That’s why they made me an Albanian, including a passport. An unexpected action that I accepted as a gesture of great humanity.”
In the property he has created over the years in Cellino San Marco, his hometown, does he rediscover all the worlds he knew or, more importantly, is he reliving the ancient world of his father?
“If you analyze a tree and understand its process well, you will understand who you are. Like a tree that moves, but without a healthy root it could not have lived a healthy life.”
Also read: Al Bano and Romina, “bloody divorce”: the confession of Bernardini de Pace
Milan, the city where he landed to pursue something that was already a legend at the time: Adriano Celentano…
“I owe everything to Milan. It’s the city that taught me who I am. I’ve been chasing the Modugno myth. Later Celentano was my employer.”
Did she invite him to her party at the arena?
“You will find out on Tuesday evening. I don’t expect anything, but I tell you it will be interesting».
In Milan he also has many memories of a different kind from his youth. Difficulties working in the catering trade…
“I wouldn’t call them difficulties. it was my journey I did everything I thought possible and positive. I was a lonely boy with affection 1100 kilometers from Milan, but I never gave up because that was my father’s ideology: never give up.”
Milan is also the city of Berlusconi. Have you heard about it lately before you were admitted to the hospital?
“I was interested in how he is doing while remaining as light as a pigeon’s feather. I am always with him in my thoughts. He has done things for me that no one else has done. He and Sophia Loren were special. I saw this in my time of need when I witnessed my daughter’s tragedy. They were the only two caring for one of their compatriots in New Orleans and made me feel their constant presence. At that time they were the only positive note for me. How can one forget gestures of such humanity?».
Her father always advised her to stay away from politics. But can politics remain close to the Italians?
“Let’s leave the answer to the Italians… That’s not my diplomacy. We are lucky to live in this country. Unfortunately, in my opinion, there is always a disorderly politics that argues about everything and continues to set a wrong example. Is it possible that one cannot be brothers or children of the only mother named Italy? An Italy that needs help. With all the natural tragedies that happen… From Polesine to today, the same things are happening and it’s symptomatic.”
Also read: Al Bano, Lecciso and Sex: “If you need it…”
Lawyer Bernardini De Pace called his divorce with Romina the “bloodyest”. Would you use the same adjective?
“Don’t worry or I’ll never call you De Pace again, I’ll call you De Guerra. If it was gory, she gave it a good shot. Let’s take responsibility. Who was the general of this army? I don’t want to get into a controversy. I only object to jokes that I find unfortunate.”
Did you mention the story of Romina smoking too many joints just to celebrate her 80s with more panache?
“I didn’t say that against Romina, but against marijuana, which stole two wonderful worlds from me: that of my daughter and my family.” I am against drugs because they harm both society and individuals. I’ll fight drugs until I’m breathless.
Do you think Romina understood the meaning of her revelation?
“I don’t know if he got it. Maybe I need to explain it to him better…”
Do you talk to your younger children, Bido and Jasmine, about your sister, Ylenia?
“I don’t talk about it, but I think they know more than I do. Of course, if they had to deal with the issue, I would.
She has had two families for a long time. Would you describe it as an “extended family”?
“The other night I was in front of another family of 10,000 people. My family ranges from my children, from the women who gave them to me, to those who listen to me with attention and love, or even criticism.”
Also read: Al Bano “hunted like a mangy dog”: harsh accusation
You are a man of faith. Is it true that È la mia vita a Sanremo was censored because the word “blaspheme” appeared in the text?
“That’s a huge lie. That I am against blasphemy is a great truth. I did not write this text, but I guarantee you that the word “blasphemy” never existed.
Is there a religious figure who, more than others, helped her in her days of desperation over her daughter’s disappearance and offered her the word that truly restored her faith?
“I was fortunate to know Don Luigi Verzé. The answer lies in everything he left behind for others. From the university to the state-of-the-art hospital he created. In the anxiousness he always had to follow the people of God, he told me in his somewhat strange last years that if his employer had wanted it that way, he would have even endured the cross they nailed him to. But he also wondered how he could steal from himself. Words I will never forget.
You met Putin who told you he was his fan…
“It was 1986, he was the head of the KGB. We were in Leningrad. Then I sang for him on numerous other occasions: when he was elected president and until five years ago in Budapest, where Orban was also present. Putin was the westernmost of the Russians. He loved Italy. He decided to defend his territory but in the wrong way because the war should not have been unleashed.”
If you could today, what would you say to him?
“That in life one can make mistakes.” I’m not saying I’ll admit the mistake, but we need good intentions to end this pathetic and tragic war.”