Jovanotti always has a smile. Starting from the name. He also expressed it in the positive thoughts of his songs. And his concerts are a celebration of life. It’s impressive to see him dark and sad. In private, Lorenzo Cherubini may have his bad moments, but in our imagination he was always a sonorous voice, a cheerful laugh, a stream of exciting words. Recently Jova posted a long video on Facebook, a confession, a stream of consciousness in which the few laughs were an escape from bad thoughts.
“I laugh so as not to cry… because I made a big mess.” The singer-songwriter seized the opportunity four months after the bicycle accident in Santo Domingo from which he struggled to get out. “A serious trauma – he defined it in August –: a blow that could have been worse.” Fracture of the collarbone and three-point fracture of the femur. The operation in the Caribbean hospital had not gone well. “They didn’t realign the femur and that’s why I have one leg shorter than the other,” he said some time ago. And therefore rehabilitation in Italy. For years he has been under the care of Fabrizio Borra, a Forlì-based physiotherapist who has treated the bodies of athletes such as Pantani, Alonso and Tamberi.
Lorenzo spent August in Romagna: daily meetings, his family keeping him company and visits from friends like Morandi and Saturnino. Recovery is progressing slowly: “I still can’t walk without crutches, but I plan to start in December,” he confessed recently. I put my foot down, but my muscles hurt. It takes time and patience: I do physical therapy twice a day. It’s not just the body that suffers. Jova is like an athlete, he prepares for tours with the same rigor as a professional athlete, also because physical performance is an essential part of his shows.
A blow to the body is also a blow to the artist and therefore to the person. The video begins with the voice almost breaking with emotion and in other moments it is also suspended. Recovery times are uncertain. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back on my feet, not even the orthopedists know.” I still have to undergo an operation to remove the plaque from my collarbone.” All plans failed, a plate had to be prepared and plan a tour. “I feel a responsibility towards the musicians I called up for the entire year of 2024. I’m sorry, but thank God they are smart professionals who will find something to do.”
Jovanotti, if it weren’t for him, doesn’t find everything boring: “The emergence of something strong and important is taking place within me,” he explains. I take notes without stopping anything, I leave everything open.” Soon ideas will take shape. “I want to be without gravity. Gravity is overcome by going into space, being in water like I do in Fabrizio’s pool, or by listening to cosmic music, jazz or African music. Artist and man merged: “Gravity is my enemy.”