Artist:Tony Renis
Song:Quando, Quando, Quando
Album:Made in Italy
Here is a song that most folks have heard but know nothing about the origin of the song. Quando, Quando, Quando was written and recorded by Italian singer songwriter Tony Renis in 1962. It's his signature song and it was a hit in Italy. But he's unknown outside Italy. He was born Elio Cesari May 13, 1938 in Milan, Italy. He performed in local clubs doing an impersonation of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Renis signed with Combo Records in 1958 and he recorded Italian versions of American Rock 'n' Roll songs. Then Renis started writing and performing songs at the Sanremo Music Festival. These festivals have always been a big deal in Europe. Plenty of hits have originated at them. Renis performed Quando, Quando, Quando at the 1962 Sanremo Music Festival and it got him a record deal at EMI's Odeon label. Quando, Quando, Quando was a big enough hit that the album was released in North America on Capitol. Renis wrote the song with Alberto Testa. Pat Boone recorded Quando, Quando, Quando in 1962 with English lyrics written by Ervin Drake. It charted in the US and England and it likely was played on easy listening radio. Canadian singer Bobby Curtola recorded it in 1967 and it was a top ten hit in Canada. Engelbert Humperdinck recorded it in 1968 and a 1999 dance remix charted in England. In 2005, Michael Buble recorded Quando, Quando, Quando with Nelly Furtado and I'm sure it got Adult Contemporary radio play. Plus there are many instrumental versions. Tony Renis recorded for RCA for many years. He also worked as a record producer and appeared in films. His song The Prayer was Oscar nominated when Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli performed it in the 1999 film Quest for Camelot. It looks like he retired in 2004. This comp is available as a digital download. Here's a video for Quando, Quando, Quando by Tony Renis.
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