Nino D'Angelo, the eternal street urchin: "My golden years were spent between films and music."

"I became a father, I recorded hit records, I made hugely popular films: that's why I think the '80s were wonderful." Nino D'Angelo will meet me at 9 pm tonight when his tour My Wonderful 80s Summer 2025 will stop at the Gigli Arena in Porto Recanati. "During that period, the most important theaters in the world opened for me, for example the Olimpia, but not in Italy. My films were released as second runs, then first runs because they made so much money."

D'Angelo, songs, records, huge concert crowds, films, a David di Donatello award for best musician: what more could you ask for?

"I'm privileged. I started from below zero, but I've achieved so much. Now in Venice there's a documentary about my life out of competition (filmed by his son Toni, ed.): surprising, like Napoli's last Scudetto."

Popularity came through his own merits.

"But it's not always a given; today many critics from back then have realized they exaggerated."

Today he is known, but what is behind the success?

"Sacrifice. I am a miracle for the people who bought my records, but I have also proven my worth; otherwise, the Venice Film Festival wouldn't have accepted a documentary about my life."

When did you realize that music was your path?

"I was forced to take it. I liked it, I loved Neapolitan singers, even though I wanted to do more, I wanted to do pop. It was tough."

Was he supported in his choice?

"My family was poor but beautiful. They always supported me with the little money they had. I sold my first records store by store. I never gave up, but I always believed in what I did."

What's the song you can't miss in a concert?

"I can't leave out 'Nu jeans e 'na camicia' and 'Senza Giacca e Tie', but I could go on."

Abroad, he's a hit with audiences and is appreciated by great musicians like Miles Davis and Billy Preston. In Naples, he's acclaimed. How popular is he in the rest of Italy?

"I'm incredibly loved in Naples. My core group was the entire South, but now I do those numbers everywhere in theaters and arenas."

Among the many encounters, which one remains unforgettable?

"The one with Goffredo Fofi cleared everything by highlighting my work. It was the voice of a strong intellectual, of someone who did so much for me, a great teacher, a professor."

And Maradona?

"The greatest player on all the planets, a friend, the true king of Naples, and for us he is an indestructible monument because he gave us victory."