Topo Gigio: a pop star, from the beatles stage to Sanremo

“Mouse gigio It is not just an Italian symbol: thanks to his historical participation, for many years, at the ED Sullivan Show in the United States, he has become an international star, “he says Alessandro Rossi, owner of the puppet brand created in 1959 by Maria Perego and Federico Caldura with the collaboration of the director Guido Stagnaro. The name of Topo Gigio has returned to illuminate the world of entertainment thanks to the “call” of Lucio Corsi: the two, in fact, will duet together with Sanremo, singing “In the blue, painted blue” by Domenico Modugnoin the evening of the covers. Gigio’s voice will be that of Leo Valli.

Rossi has worked for over thirty years with The creator of the puppet, Maria Peregofrom which he literally inherited Topo Gigio. “For me it was a second mother, a brilliant woman who has changed the dynamics of the show business forever forever – Rossi recalls – The success of Topo Gigio worldwide was possible thanks to his landing in the States: he was a guest 92 times in the famous The and Sullivan Show (broadcast broadcast from 1948 to 1971, editor’s note), more than any other star, including Beatles, Rolling Stones and Elvissome of the legends that trod that same stage ”.

Friend of Michael Jackson

Then Rossi continues: “We are talking about a show that reached over 50 million spectators per week on the CBS network. One of Gigio’s best friends was Michael Jackson That, when in 1995 he was hospitalized in London, he asked to have several photos and puppets in his room to feel better. Another great fan of his was Louis Armstrongwith whom he duet. ” Just the voice of Topo Gigio is a trademark: The historic voice actor was Peppino Mazzullo, then Davide Garbolino and finally the current Leo Valli. “With Leo we collaborated for some of the last pieces made by Gigio, whose musical production I edited – says the composer Franco Fasano – For me Gigio is not a puppet, but it is an icon of Italian music in the world. As a boy I was speechless listening to two voices: his, or that of the great Peppino Mazzullo, and that of Freddie Mercury. With courses they chose to sing ‘in blue, painted blue’ because few know it, before they become famous, Modugno lent his voice in a short time to Topo Gigio“.

The link with Modugno

On the duet, which promises to be magical, Lucio Corsi wrote: “Mice can also fly. I am pleased to announce that at the Sanremo Festival in the evening of the covers I will duet with my friend Topo Gigio on the notes (and the currents) of ‘In the blue painted blue’ of Domenico Modugno. Topo Gigio taught me how not to become a puppet, he taught me how to cut the threads of those who would like to make you move to him. In addition, Topo Gigio made his debut on television in 1959 with the voice of Modugno, somehow it is as if he met his song again. ‘Flying, in the blue painted blue’, is the song of the songs since the element of music is the air. Everyone sang it, from Paul McCartney in Bowie Until Troisi in ‘We just have to cry’. In short, I think that such a dream never returns again. ”

It is not the first time, in Italy, that Gigio duets with a singer or a character from the world of entertainment. “Memo Remygi, Raffaella Carrà, Lino Banfi and others, have crossed their voices with that of Gigio – concludes Rossi – Corsi, whom I met to know him and understand if he was really the right person for this initiative that proposed to us, is a real Peter Pan. It will be beautiful because they will mix a boyish world with a song that abroad is considered the real Italian anthem. Lately too Messengerwhich has repeatedly cheered after a goal forming Gigio’s ears with his hands, e Shakira, that in Halloween made the puppet disguise all the family like the puppethave become new friends of the most famous mouse in the world. In 2016, in the “Vinyl” series,

Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger They quote Topo Gigio as an entertainment icon. The family widens, Gigio’s fame is that of a real international pop star“.