Career
His international hits include "Saint Tropez Twist". "Daniela"; "Torna piccina". "Roberta"; "Melancolie".
"Freva".
"L"ultimo romantico". "Un grande amore e niente piú". "Non lo faccio più"; "Nun è peccato".
And "Champagne".
Peppino began singing and playing the piano at age 4, entertaining the American army troops stationed on the island of Capri with a repertoire of American standards. After 6 years of classical studies and playing at nightclubs around Capri, Peppino and his group The Rockers released their first single, with the songs "Malattia" ("Sickness") and "Nun è Peccato" ("lieutenant"s not a sin"), sung in Napoletano in 1958. The single was an instant hit, and Peppino spent most of the following year touring.
A string of hit singles soon followed, usually alternating between Italian versions of American rock"n"roll and twist songs (with some verses sung in English), and originals in Italian and Napoletano, and di Capri became one of the top acts in the country.
After performing as the opening act for The Beatles in their 1965 tour of Italy, Peppino and his group attempted, with moderate success, to break out of the European market. Their work was well received, particularly in Brazil, thanks to the large Italian immigrant community in the country.
The 1970s saw Peppino with a new band, the New Rockers. The same year, he released the song "Champagne" that was a big hit in Italy, Germany, Spain and Brazil.
In 1991, he represented Italy at the Eurovision song contest, coming in 7th place with the song "Comme è ddoce "o mare" ("How sweet is the sea"), sung in Neapolitan.
As of 2006, Peppino di Capri is the performer with the most appearances (15) at the Festival della canzone italiana, his last appearance being in 2005, singing "Louisiana Panchina" ("The little park bench"). Peppino di Capri has participated 15 times in the, twice winning first place: 1967 "Dedicato all"amore" 1971 "L"ultimo romantico" 1980 "Tu cioè.." 1985 "East mo’ e mo’" 1987 "Il sognatore" 1988 "Nun chiagnere" 1989 "Il mio pianoforte" 1990 "Evviva Maria" 1992 "Favola blues" 1993 "Louisiana voce delle stelle" 1995 "Ma che ne sai (Se non hai fatto il pianobar)" 2001 "Pioverà (Habibi ené)" 2005 "Louisiana panchina" In his writings, Orhan Pamuk brings up Peppino di Capri"s songs.
