The singer and pianist Peppino of Capri died this Saturday (11), aged 86, in Villa Castiglione, on the island of CapriHe was born and lived in Naples. He had been battling a long illness, according to the Neapolitan newspaper Il Mattino, which broke the news. The artist would have turned 87 on July 27th.
Owner of one of the longest careers in Italian music, Di Capri sold 35 million records He recorded 54 albums in nearly seven decades of his career. In June 1965, he was the only Italian singer to perform as the opening act for the Beatles on their Italian tour, with shows in Milan, Genoa, and Rome.
Born Joseph Faiella On July 27, 1939, he began playing piano at the age of four, performing for American soldiers stationed in Capri during World War II. In 1958, he adopted the stage name Rockers with his band and had his first hit with "Nun è peccato".
Songs like “Champagne“Roberta”, “Luna caprese” and “Il sognatore” have entered the collective Italian memory. Di Capri holds the record for appearances in Sanremo Festival, with 15 appearances between 1967 and 2005, and won twice: in 1973, with “Un grande amore e niente più”, and in 1976, with “Non lo faccio più”.
In 2023, he received a lifetime achievement award on the stage of the Ariston Theatre, celebrated with a double standing ovation. On that occasion, he joked: "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, it's finally here... Better late than never."
The singer leaves behind three children: Igor, from his first marriage to Roberta Stoppa, and Edoardo and Dario, from his marriage to Giuliana Gagliardi, who died in 2019. The funeral will be held this Sunday (12), in the afternoon, at the former Santo Stefano cathedral. in the central square of Capri.
GRACASAFFE ASSUNCAO
11 July 2026 13 at: 22
Long live the Great Cucumber! Who has moved generations so much. May God bless and keep you!