Pino D'Angiò

Giuseppe Chierchia (IPA: [dʒuˈzɛppe ˈkjɛrkja]; 14 August 1952 – 6 July 2024), known professionally as Pino D'Angiò (IPA: [ˈpiːno danˈdʒɔ]), was an Italian singer-songwriter. He was best known for his 1980 hit Italo disco song, "Ma quale idea".

Life and career

Born in Pompei on 14 August 1952 into a family originating from Mercato San Severino, he was the son of engineer Francesco Chierchia, and teacher Franca Romana. D'Angiò spent his childhood between the United States and Canada, following his father, before returning to Italy in 1963. After completing his military service, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at University of Siena. As a music lover, and in need of extra money, he started singing in local bars, where he met record producer Ezio Leoni, with whom, inspired by Fred Buscaglione's artistic personality and style, he made his recording debut in 1979, with the single "È libero, scusi?". In 1980, he obtained international success with his signature song "Ma quale idea", which sold over two million copies in Italy, and 12 million copies worldwide.

He released several more singles and albums in the same style, notably "Un concerto da strapazzo", "Fammi un panino", and "Genoveffa". By 1990, his recordings had sold over four million copies.

Under the name Age of Love, he and producer Bruno Sanchioni released an eponymous track in 1990, which featured vocals by French dancer Valérie Honoré. The vocal is often misattributed to Dutch supermodel Karen Mulder. Starting from the late 1980s, he also worked as a television and radio presenter and writer.