Renzo Arbore appointed Knight of the Grand Cross of Merit of the Republic

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, has appointed Renzo Arbore as Knight of the Grand Cross of Merit of the Italian Republic.

Lorenzo Giovanni Arbore, newly appointed Knight Grand Cross of Merit of the Italian Republic, is one of the most eclectic entertainers in Italian entertainment. Born in Foggia on June 24, 1937, Arbore is a singer-songwriter, disc jockey, radio host (who doesn't remember the famous "Altro Gradimento" created with Gianni Boncompagni), clarinetist, and entertainer.

But also a television author and host, director, screenwriter, composer, and actor. A well-rounded artist, 360 degrees in the truest sense of the word. He is considered the first Italian disc jockey, the one who later set the standard for all others. The son of a dentist and a housewife, and a law graduate from the University of Naples, he began performing as a musician at a very young age in Foggia, focusing primarily on pop music and jazz.

His radio shows with his colleague and friend Gianni Boncompani, such as "Bandiera gialla" and "Altro gradimento," are memorable. They paved the way for a certain type of entertainment hosting, dedicated to new musical trends and gags with fictional characters.

"Alto gradimento" lacked a logical thread, dominated by musical interruptions, various jokes, and recurring surreal, nonsensical, and zany interventions of all kinds. Along with Boncompagni, Arbore was among the first to broadcast Beatles songs on the radio, as they were deemed unsuitable for national broadcasting at the time.

A talent scout, he discovered personalities of the caliber of Roberto Benigni, with whom he worked on "L'altra domenica," Gege' Telesforo, Giorgio Bracardi, Mario Marenco, Marisa Laurito, Nino Frassica, Milly Carlucci, and Daniele Luttazzi, to name a few.

He has played with various bands (his first experiences in the musical world began in 1972, with the "NU Orleans Rubbish Band" composed, in addition to Arbore himself on clarinet, Fabrizio Zampa on drums, Mauro Chiari on bass, Massimo Catalano on trombone and Franco Bracardi on piano), arriving in 1991 to found the Italian Orchestra, with fifteen great soloists to enhance the classic Neapolitan song by restoring dignity, among other things, to the mandolin.

His greatest successes were television shows such as "L'altra domenica" on Rai, an alternative to Domenica In, "Quelli della notte" and "Indietro tutta", which made Italian television history. Arbore also worked as a director, on "Il pap'occhio", "FF.SS" and "Che mi hai portato a fare sopra a Posillipo se non mi vuoi più". A confirmed bachelor, among his great loves was his relationship with Mariangela Melato, which lasted until the great actress's passing.

On December 27, 1992, he was awarded the title of Grand Officer of the Italian Republic. Today, he received the title of Knight Grand Cross, presented by the current President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.