Italian music legend Peppino Di Capri has died at the age of 87.

Peppino Di Capri , born Giuseppe Faiella, passed away this morning, Saturday, July 11, 2026, in his beloved Capri . The great singer and pianist was 87 years old—he would have turned 87 on July 27—and had been battling a long illness. With him, one of the last great protagonists of twentieth-century Italian song has passed away.

Born in Capri on July 27, 1939, into a family of musicians, Peppino Di Capri was a child prodigy: at just four years old, he was already performing on the piano for the American soldiers stationed on the island. His first major success came in 1958 with "Malatia ," which made him a star, accompanied by his Rockers.

From there, a career spanning over sixty years, marked by unforgettable hits such as "Champagne" , "Roberta" , "E mo e mo" , "Let's Twist Again" , "St. Tropez Twist" and "Il sognatore" . He was the only Italian singer to appear on the stage where the Beatles performed during their famous Italian tour of 1965.

Successes at Sanremo

Peppino Di Capri holds the record for appearances at the Sanremo Music Festival with 15 appearances, winning twice: in 1973 with "Un grande amore e niente più" and in 1976 with "Non lo faccio più" . In 1970 he also won the last Naples Festival with "Me chiamme ammore".

Among the other great hits of the following years: "Amare di meno" (theme song from the legendary Rischiatutto), "Auguri" , "Frenesia" , "Nessuno al mondo" and "Voce 'e notte" . In 2023, on the stage of Sanremo, Amadeus presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award to the applause of the Ariston Theatre.

A voice from the island to the world

With an unmistakable vocal timbre, Peppino Di Capri has revitalized Neapolitan song, making it internationally renowned. A rare example of artistic longevity, he has spanned styles and generations: from the voice of the twist to an elegant chansonnier, he has captivated at least three generations of Italians.

In 2018, he celebrated his 60th anniversary on the stage of none other than the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples. His last public appearance was a year ago, when during an evening in his honor, he asked for the microphone to sing "Champagne" and "Il sognatore" with the band, to a standing ovation and widespread emotion.

In 2025, Rai produced “Champagne” , the biopic fiction starring Francesco Del Gaudio in his role, which also earned him a star in the Italian Music Hall of Fame.

The funerals

Peppino Di Capri's funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon, Sunday, July 12, in the former Cathedral of Santo Stefano in the Piazzetta, Capri. He is survived by his children, Nico (with his first wife Roberta), Edoardo, and Daria (with his second wife Giuliana Gagliardi, who passed away years ago).

With Peppino Di Capri, a piece of Italian music history has gone, an artist who brought the name of Capri and Neapolitan song to the world.