Biography of Tony Dallara

Romantic shouts

June 30, 1936
Antonio Lardera, this is the real name of singer Tony Dallara, was born in Campobasso on June 30, 1936. Last of five children, was born in a family devoted to music, his father Battista in the past was a Chorister at La Scala in Milan. Her mother Lucy was housekeeper at a wealthy family of the Lombard capital. Raised in Milan, after the compulsory schooling began working as a bartender. Then begins the profession of clerk, but soon his passion for music takes over: started singing in several bands, including the "Rocky Mountains" (changing the name to "samples"), with which he performs in Milan. Tony at that time is a great admirer of Frankie Laine and the group "The Platters"; It is precisely the manner of singing of Tony WIlliams (singer of "Platters") that Tony is inspired, composing songs in typical triplet group. In short gets the first contracts for paid nights: the first of some significance is the "Santa Tecla", where she performed for two thousand Liras a night (to share with the Group). Here he met and confront other emerging milanese music scene, including Adriano Celentano.
In 1957 he was hired as a delivery boy at the label "Music": the boss Walter Guertler listens to case sing, is interested and learns of the parallel activity of Tony, as a singer; go to listen to the Santa Tecla and proposes to him and the group a contract. It is on this occasion that he suggested the stage name "Dallara" because music is considered a little surname Lardera affects 45 rounds one of the warhorses of the group, "as before". This song--whose lyrics are written by Mario Panzeri-had been presented at the Festival of Sanremo in 1955, but pass the selection. The 45 rpm "as before" is published at the end of 1957: in a short time reached the top spot on the charts, and remained there for several weeks. Will sell over 300,000 copies (sales records at the time) and becoming a symbol of Italian music of the years ' 50. In addition to the objective beauty of song, part of the credit for this success goes to Tony Dallara singing technique: it is to him that we owe the introduction of the term "shouters", which identifies the many singers who from there onwards (and until the early ' 60) will choose an interpretative technique with loud voice, expressed in an unadorned and devoid of embellishments typical of purely melodic singing.
Musically and singing, then Italian melodic tradition detaches Dallara Claudio Villa, Tajoli, Tala, linking instead to new trends of Domenico Modugno or Adriano Celentano. Fly to New York: thanks to her talent is hired to sing at Carnegie Hall and put on a show with Perry Cuomo; Unfortunately must return to Italy because called to do his military service. Avellino during the CAR (recruit training Center) knows the young pianist Franco Bracardi. In late 1958 and 1959 Dallara publishes many successful 45 rpm: "I'll tell you", "Shiver", "hot ice", "Julia". In 1959 also runs two films: "August, ladies I don't know y'all" by Guido Malatesta (with Memmo Carotenuto and Raffaele Pisu), and "I ragazzi del juke-box" by Lucio Fulci (with Betty Curtis, Fred Buscaglione, Gianni Meccia and Adriano Celentano).
Participated in the Festival di Sanremo with Renato Rascel in 1960, winning with the song "romantic". In the same year runs two more films, "Sanremo, the great challenge" by Piero Vivarelli (with Teddy Reno, Domenico Modugno, Sergio Bruni, Joe Sentieri, Gino Santercole, Adriano Celentano, Renato Rascel and Odoardo Spadaro), and "the Teddy Boys della Canzone" by Domenico Paolella (with Delia Scala, Tiberio Murgia, Ave Ninchi, Teddy Reno and Mario Carotenuto). Back to Sanremo in 1961 teamed with Gino Paoli, presenting the song "a man alive." Vince "Canzonissima" with "baby, baby", which will be the last of his great successes. Since 1962 leaves the genre that led him to success, stepping up to a more melodic music, with which however fails to repeat the big sales numbers for previous years. Try to start from Sanremo, participating again in 1964: playing with Ben e. King sings "How could I forget", but does not arrive in the final. Audience tastes have moved on the phenomenon "beat" and, although it continues to record new songs for all the years ' 60, Dallara won't be back on the charts.
Slowly even television and radio seem to forget him. Withdraws from the world of music in the years ' 70 to devote himself to his other great passion, painting: exhibits his paintings in several galleries and won the respect and friendship of Renato Guttuso. Only in the years ' 80 Dallara back to resume live singer, animating some evenings-especially in summer-thanks to the growing desire for revival which follows the country. His old hits does not appear washed out, so much so that he decided to reinciderli with new modern arrangements. Throughout his career he has sung in many languages including Japanese, Spanish, German, Greek, French and Turkish, winning prizes in hundreds of foreign countries.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.