Luigi Tenco (21 March 1938 – 27 January 1967)

Luigi Tenco in 1967 in Rom | Photo: (partial) Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

A musical poet far ahead of his times...

© Ani Corné | From My Archives - newly edited

Luigi Tenco is said to have taken his own life... misunderstood and never fully appreciated during his life-time for the genius he indeed was.

His melodies and poetic lyrics, however, are an immortal legacy.

Background

In 1967, Tenco took part in the Italian Song Festival in Sanremo. It was rumored he had participated against his will. The song he presented was "Ciao Amore Ciao" ("Bye Love, Bye"), which he sang together with his fiancée, the well known chanson singer Dalida. 

Tenco allegedly committed suicide on January 27, 1967 (he was 29 years old at that time), after learning his song had been eliminated from the final round of the competition in the festival. Tenco was found by Dalida in his hotel room with a bullet wound in his left temple and a note explaining that his death was to be seen as protest against a corrupt jury which had decided against him and, thus, disregarded the public's choice during the competition.

Only days earlier, Tenco's wedding to Dalida had been announced.

A true musical poet - The Italian singer/songwriter Luigi Tenco
unforgettable his Chanson Vedrai Vedrai

The English translationof the Italian lyrics can be viewed directly on this page (document opens in a  reader). Viewing is possible even while the video plays .

Read the document

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