Artist Info
Biography
The son of light opera singer, Nino d'Aurelio, Johnny Dorelli has established himself as one of Italy's greatest entertainers. The winner of the 1958 Festival of San Remo, with his rendition of Domenico Modugno's "Nel Blu Dipunto Di Blu", he became a perennial crowd-pleaser at the annual event during the 1960s. Although he last competed at the festival in 1969, when he performed with Caterina Caselli, Dorelli returned as a headliner in 1990.Dorelli has been equally successful as an actor and theatrical director.
The protagonist of the Italian play, Agguingi Un Posto A Tavola/You Add A Place To The Table, and the Italian production of Neil Simon's Promises, he made numerous guest appearances on Italian television series and dramas during the 1990s.
A native of Milan, Dorelli moved with his parents to the United States at the age of nine. A student at New York's High School of Music and Art, where he studied piano and vocal technique, he was "discovered" by Canadian-American band leader, Percy Faith (1908-1976), who featured him with his lush-pop orchestra.
Returning to Italy in 1956, Dorelli released his self-titled debut album four years later. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
