Nino Ferrer

Italian-French jazz, rock, R.& B. singer and songwriter (born 15.08.1934, Genova, Italy; died 13.08.1998, Quercy Blanc, Saint-Cyprien Lot, Montcuq, France). As a young man excellent draftsman and painter in Dali's style, but became very famous for his music. In the 50s he played double bass and banjo on the side of little French myth [a2477750] and [a=Bill Coleman]. Then he tried his hand as a singer with a warm and roca voice - in the style of the great Afro-American singers - making him famous all over the world, especially in France and Italy. He was a poet, musician and author capable of graceful text nonsense with irresistible melodies & rhythms. His most famous song is undoubtedly "Je Veux Etre Noir" (La Pelle Nera >The Black Skin), a controversial anti-racisma song. Then he wrote another R & B anti-war song titled "Il Re d'Inghilterra" (The King of England). He also wrote ecological songs, while maintaining his original style, like "Le Sud" (Il Sud > The South) and "La Campagna" (The Country), a little 'escape from the city and its neurosis, as he had done by writing "The Cornichons" (Il Baccalà > The Cod). In 1986 he was appointed by the French Government "Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres", and in 1989 he obtained French citizenship. His last appearance was in Italy in 1997 on a [a=Red Ronnie] TV program.