taly's musical, entertainment and political worlds paid tribute Tuesday to Gino Paoli after the legendary Genoese singer-songwriter died at the age of 91. "Gino Paoli was a great poet. He painted with his songs," said popular left-leaning TV host Fabio Fazio.
with his art, he
built an imagery that is within each of us. Only the power ofpoetry can do so much.
"And so we know that summer tastes of salt and that a purple
ceiling can give way to the sky," said Fazio, refering to
Paoli's best-love songs Sapore di Sale (Taste of Salt) and Il
Cielo in una Stanza (Heaven in a Room).
Another top presenter, Antonella Clerici, said:
"I met him so many times, I loved his songs so much that one of
my very successful programs was called Ti lascio una canzone. Hecame to sing it so many times.
"Ornella Vanoni, who recently passed away, immediately came to
mind. There was a great love and professional connection with
Gino Paoli," the host added.
"All these great old men, I say this with great affection, who
are passing away, have given so much to art. Gino Paoli, so
much. A hug to the family."
Clerici then concluded: "Being live means reporting what
happens, for better or for worse. In this case, it's not
pleasant news."
Silvia Salis, centre-left Mayor of Genoa, said: "Today, one of
the greatest Italian singer-songwriters and a leading exponent
of the Genoese school has left us. With the passing of Gino
Paoli, we lose a unique voice, capable of describing the human
soul and its times with extraordinary sensitivity.
"A refined songwriter with an unmistakable voice, he profoundly
influenced Italian music and the cultural heritage of our cityfrom the 1960s onward," Salis said.
"His songs, his melancholy poetry, contributed to a profound
renewal of Italian songwriting and inspired generations of
musicians. On behalf of myself, the City Council, and the City
Administration, I express my deepest condolences to his family,
friends, and all those who loved him. His memory and his art
will remain with us forever, without end."Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, in
whose predecessor, the once-mighty Italian Communist Party (PCI)
Paolo once served as an MP, said: "The passing of Gino Paoli
leaves a profound void in Italian music and culture. An artist
who, through his words and melodies, composed the soundtrack to
special moments in the lives of each and every Italian. Poetry
in music that will accompany us forever. My personal condolencesand those of the entire Democratic Party community go to his
family and loved ones."
Olly, the young Genoese artist who won last year's Sanremo Music
Festival, posted on his Instgarm profile a heart on a black
background and the notes of Il Cielo in una Stanza.
Another young Genoese singer-songwriter, Alfa, said: "Gino
Paoli was a giant of Italian music and a revolutionary singer,
one of those who truly made history. His songs were simple only
on the surface, but inside they had a depth that stays with
you."
"For us from Genoa, he was always much more than an artist: a
point of reference, a voice that accompanied us growing up, arare example of authenticity and longevity," he said.
"During my concert in Genoa in November, I wanted to pay homage
to him by singing "Sapore di sale" with the entire audience: it
was one of those moments you never forget. I myself learned to
play the guitar with La Gatta, and it's also thanks to him that
I fell in love with music."
For Alfa, "with his passing, a piece of Genoa is gone, but alsoa piece of all of us. But he leaves us with something enormous:
the idea that to truly reach people, you don't need to
complicate things, you just need to be authentic."
Marco Bucci, governor of the Liguria Region, said: "The passing
of an artist of Gino Paoli's caliber can only leave an indelible
void in the music scene. One of the greatest Italian
singer-songwriters has passed away, a pillar whose music brought
the image of Genoa and Liguria to Italy and the world. Paoli
leaves behind an immense legacy of art, music, poetry, and
culture that will forever speak to the hearts of all of us. Onthis sad day, we embrace his loved ones, his family, and his
friends."
Singer-songwriter Francesco Gabbani said "a huge piece of
Italian music leaves us with Gino Paoli" while another
singer-songwriter, Samuele Bersani, said "whoever does my job
owes an awful lot to Gino Paoli".
Evergreen crooner Gianni Morandi said:
"Ciao Gino, lifelong friend and colleague, I've always loved
you. For your music, for your soul, for what you left us all.
Buon viaggio."
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