When it comes to Italian and Neapolitan music, one cannot but think of Gigi D'Alessio, a character not free from criticism and discussion, but absolutely iconic.
The origins of Gigi D'Alessio
When was he born
Gigi was born on 24 February of the 1967 in the neighborhood Fuorigrotta in Naples, a suburb easily accessible from the city center, famous for the presence of the Maradona Stadium (formerly San Paolo Stadium).
He lived in Cavalleggeri D'Aosta, a working-class neighborhood between Fuorigrotta and Bagnoli.
Who is the father of Gigi D'Alessio
Character not very present in the life of the singer, his father Francesco D'Alessio moved to Venezuela when his son was still very young.
It was not an abandonment, but a work necessity, the man felt strongly his goal of working to maintain and guarantee a future for his children.
In fact, from the tender age of only 4 years old, the child grew almost exclusively with the mere presence of the mother, hence his strong feeling of the bond with the family.
It was he to "Light the fuse" in the heart of the son, starting him on the accordion.
He then died of cancer years later.
Who is the mother of Gigi D'Alessio
Mother, Antoinette Council, differently it was a constant presence in Luigi's growth that determined his close link with the institution of the family and the boy's education.
The first steps in the music of Gigi D'Alessio
The young Luigi began to be passionate about music from an early age.
First the accordion, given to him by his father, then the piano: his link with melodies and symphonies is part of his DNA, so much so that he studied as a self-taught until he arrived at the conservatory at the age of 12.
The beginning of his career with Mario Merola
To discover the talent of Gigi D'Alessio was the teacher Mario Merola, who entrusts him with the role of pianist during his performances and who initiates him in the Neapolitan music scene, singing with him "Nothing else“, A song written for two voices by D'Alessio himself.
From that moment on, Gigi D'Alessio's career has been growing. The first performances at weddings, then the invitations to events in the square and official ceremonies, until the launch of his first official album in 1992: “Let me sing”.
With Nino D'Angelo becomes the absolute ruler of the Neapolitan record market.
The death of Mario Merola and the memory of Gigi D'Alessio
Ten years after the death of Mario Merola, Gigi D'Alessio posted a touching message on Facebook in memory of him:
Hi Mario,
Gigi D'Alessio on Facebook, ten years after the death of Mario Merola
I wanted to thank you for the good things you taught me and for the courage you had in doing a duet with a stranger ... I really hope I haven't disappointed you.
You have been and will remain the greatest.
Playing for you was like going to the cinema every day.
10 years have passed since your death, I want to remind you and tell you that today more than ever your presence is felt in my heart and in that of the people who loved you.
The discography of Gigi D'Alessio
- 1992 - Let me sing
- 1993 - Gliding upwards
- 1994 - Where my heart takes me
- 1995 - Step by step
- 1996 - Out of the fray
- 1998 - It was a pleasure
- 1999 - bring me with you
- 2000 - When my life changes
- 2001 - The journey of age
- 2002 - One like you
- 2004 - How many loves
- 2006 - Made in Italy:
- 2008 - This is me
- 2012 - Chiaro
- 2013 - now
- 2015 - Malaterra
- 2017 - 24 February 1967
- 2019 - The two of us
- 2020 - Good morning
The private life of Gigi D'Alessio
Gigi D'Alessio was married to Carmella Barbato from 1986 to 2006. Three children were born from the marriage: Claudio, Ilaria and Luca. In December 2006, his wife revealed to the weekly "Chi" her husband's secret relationship with the then 2014-year-old Anna Tatangelo and, for this reason, the consequent decision to leave D'Alessio, from whom she will divorce in XNUMX.
“Anna Tatangelo, not only is she with my husband but also behaves like a new bride. She just has to shut up, she looks like a parrot to me: Gigi says the things she wants and she repeats. We met when I was 15 and he was 16. We had the same values, we believed in the family. Then came success, all this well-being. I preferred when he was an unknown musician and we lived on simple things, sincerity, complicity. Too much well-being has destroyed us".
Carmela Barbato at “DiPiù” in 2006
The relationship with Anna Tatangelo
The relationship with Anna Tatangelo it began in February 2005 and ended definitively on March 3, 2020, after some ups and downs suffered by the couple in the last years of living together. From their union was born Andrea, fourth child of the Neapolitan singer.
The engagement with Denise Esposito
Since February 2021, Gigi D'Alessio is engaged to Denise Esposito with whom she had Francesco, her fifth child, born on January 24, 2022.
Who are the children of Gigi D'Alessio
Gigi D'Alessio has five children, of which 3 had with his first wife Carmela Barbato, one with Anna Tatangelo and one with Denise Esposito.
Claudio
The eldest of the litter, now an adult man, was born in 1986. Entrepreneur with two daughters, he is engaged to Giusy Lo Conte.
Ilaria
Ilaria was born in 1992, graduated in 2017. It is difficult to find information about her as she is not very present on Social Networks
Who is LDA, the singer son of Gigi D'Alessio
Luca is the best known of the three brothers, now known as LDA. Becoming famous thanks to Amici21, he followed in his father's footsteps as a musical talent with a very high following.
Andrea
The fourth child, with Anna Tatangelo, was born on March 31, 2010.
Gigi D'Alessio is a constant presence in her life.
Francesco
Last son of Gigi D'Alessio, the first with his new partner Denise Esposito.
Born on January 24, 2022, “launched” to the public with a post from his father on social networks.
Gigi D'Alessio in the role of actor
In addition to his career as a songwriter, Gigi D'Alessio was also an actor. He started acting in 1995 in "The sun in the stadium“, Directed by Gianni Crea. His debut as a protagonist, however, comes in 1998 thanks to the director Nini Grassia in "Annaré". Grassia himself will ride the wave of D'Alessio's success in 1999, bringing "Nothing else”Which recorded an incredible boom in revenues, coming to compete with the giant“ Titanic ”.
Filmography by Gigi D'Alessio
- The sun in the stadium, directed by Gianni Crea (1995)
- Annaré, directed by Ninì Grassia (1998)
- Nothing else, directed by Ninì Grassia (1999)
- Malaterra, directed by Sergio Rubino, Ambrogio Crespi (2014) documentary film
- AFMV - Goodbye fucking green faces, directed by Francesco Ebbasta (2017)
- It's not Christmas without panettone, directed by Marco Limberti (2019)
Curiosities about Gigi D'Alessio
The Neapolitan singer is 1,78 cm tall and is a great Napoli fan. In 1999 he played at the National Italian American Foundation Gala, in the presence of the President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton.
Photo source: Official Instagram Gigi D'Alessio