BIOGRAPHY

GREAT VOICE…

Bologna, the city that has given the most renowned names to the world of Italian light music, is also the birthplace of Paolo Mengoli. Singer, author, and interpreter, he began his artistic career by winning the "Voci Nuove" festival in Castrocaro Terme at the age of 18 in 1968.

After a long apprenticeship with orchestras (including one directed by his singing teacher Alda Scaglioni: "I cadetti di Scaglioni") in the dance halls and squares of Emilia Romagna, this victory led to the recording of his first 45 rpm record featuring two covers: "Arrivederci" and "Per un bacio d’Amor.”

In 1969, he achieved his first success with the song “Perché l’hai fatto,” specifically written for him by Mino Reitano. With this song, he participated in the "Un disco per l’estate" and "Il Cantagiro" events, achieving excellent and flattering results, selling over 500,000 copies between Italy and abroad.

He participated in various editions of the Sanremo Festival (the first in 1970 with the song “Ahi che male che mi fai,” written by two then-promising authors, Toto Cutugno and Cristiano Minellono). In the same year, he participated again in "Il Cantagiro" and the "Festival di Pesaro XII Torneo Internazionale di musica leggera" with the song "Mi piaci da morire," ranking first in both events. In 1971, he returned to the Sanremo Festival with the song “I ragazzi come noi” and subsequently participated in "Un Disco per l’Estate," a flagship event of Rai Uno, with another song written by Mino Reitano, “Ora ridi con me,” where he ranked among the 12 finalists out of over 60 participants representing the best of Italian light music at that time.

In 1975, he engaged in various tours, including Japan, where he was invited back after his 1970 participation representing Italy at the "Yamaha Music Festival in Tokyo," also known as the "World Popular Song Festival," where he was awarded the critics' prize.

In 1976, he was invited to Australia for a series of concerts in the most beautiful theaters of the Australian continent.

In 1977, he represented Italy at the "Interfestival" in Bulgaria, an internationally significant music event, where he once again received the critics' award with the song “Amore scusami” as the best interpreter.

In 1989, he was the revelation of Canale 5's "Una rotonda sul mare," a music competition featuring the most significant songs and performers of the 1960s. On this occasion, with his song “Perché l’hai fatto,” he managed to beat artists of the caliber of Peppino di Capri, Jimmy Fontana, and Rocky Roberts, reaching the grand final, where in a memorable "direct clash," he defeated Gino Paoli and his “Sapore di Sale.”

In November 1990, at the Goldoni Theater in Venice, he received the "Golden Lion" during the VI edition of light music.

Also during the 1989-1990 period, author and director Michele Guardì wanted him for his Rai Radio One show, "Una Domenica mondiale," related to the upcoming soccer World Cup in Italy.

After his participation in the 1992 Sanremo Festival with the song “Io ti darò,” he was once again engaged in concerts across the national territory and requested for various tours in Japan and Australia, receiving unanimous acclaim from both the public and critics.

From 1997 to 2006, he was a constant guest on various Rai shows such as “Telethon” (9 times), “Mattina in famiglia,” “La vita in diretta,” and “I Fatti Vostri,” where author and director Michele Guardì wanted him as the solo voice in the musical segments of this show, successfully reintroducing and launching the song “Quanto t’ho amato,” composed by Roberto Begnini, Nicola Piovani, and Vincenzo Cerami.

In 1999, he was invited to Cuba as a guest of honor on one of the State TV's most important variety shows, receiving enthusiastic acclaim once again thanks to his overwhelming and passionate character that captivates people, involving them with all his energy.

In the 2006-2007 edition of “Domenica In,” he was a protagonist alongside other performers in an overwhelming and exciting music competition.

In 2007, he was involved in various tours in Canada and the U.S., and in the latter state, Paolo represented Italy in New York with a concert during the Columbus Day Commemoration.

The years 2004-2006-2009 and 2010 saw him as a constant guest on Rai Uno's New Year's Eve show “L’anno che verrà,” hosted alternately by Fabrizio Frizzi, Carlo Conti, Mara Venier, and Pino Insegno. His versatility, which does not limit him to being just a musical character, made him a recurring guest and commentator on Rai Due's “L’Italia sul Due” and "Pomeriggio sul Due."

In 2005, he was cast and participated in Rai Uno's reality show “Ritorno al presente,” hosted by Carlo Conti, as well as shows like “I Raccomandanti” (2009), “I Migliori Anni” (2008, 2009, 2017, and 2023), “Ciak si canta” (2012), “I Soliti Ignori” (2010), “La prova del cuoco” (2010).

During this period (2010-2011-2012), Michele Guardì once again wanted him as a correspondent at the Sanremo Festival for Rai Due's “Mezzogiorno in Famiglia” program, hosted by Amadeus, where he interviewed the festival participants.

Even in the years from 2013 to 2018, Paolo made constant television appearances, being a guest on shows such as Rai Uno's “Uno Mattina,” Rai Uno's “La Vita in diretta,” Rai Due's “I fatti Vostri,” and TV 2000's “Bel tempo di spera.”

From 2014 to 2018, Paolo Mengoli served as a judge and jury president in the various selections of singers and authors participating in "Una voce per l'Europa," at the "Gran Galà dei Festival," and at the “Festival di voci e volti nuovi” in Castrocaro Terme. It was almost a return to his origins, having won the latter in 1968.

On October 24, 2020, he received the "Giovanni Paolo II Recognition" with the motivation: "for his activity as a singer-songwriter, which knows how to spread feelings and values of solidarity through his commitment to social causes" and for his devotion to the Holy Pontiff, expressed with the song "Ora parlami d'amore," chosen as the official anthem of the centenary project "In cammino con Giovanni Paolo II," presented in a world premiere on the day of the announcement of John Paul II's beatification on the program "Cristianità," hosted by Sister Miriam Castelli and broadcast by Rai International worldwide, followed by more than 60 million viewers (Source Adnkronos).

In 2020, he released the single "Io voglio stare con te" for Music Universe a.c.m., co-written with Luigi Mosello, addressing with great sensitivity and a sweet text the delicate and long-standing issue of violence against women.

On October 23, 2021, he was awarded the "Seal of Peace Ambassador in the World" by the Giovanni Paolo II Association, thanks to his... GREAT VOICE...

GREAT HEART…

An artist so dynamic can only have a great sensitivity and attention towards those less fortunate than himself. Starting from his great passion for sports, Paolo Mengoli, as a goalkeeper and one of the founding members of the Italian Singers' National Team, dedicated a good part of his life and time to carrying out significant social solidarity work.

An intense activity, with 455 appearances on the field, carried out consistently for over 38 years, sometimes even at the expense of his career, but which deeply rewarded him in terms of moral satisfaction.

A priceless reward...

For over 30 years, he has also been a testimonial for FA.NE.P. (Familia Neurologia Pediatrica), which operates at the Gozzadini in Bologna within the Sant'Orsola Hospital and deals with neurovegetative problems in children, as well as disorders related to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

In recent years, he has also been an active supporter of the Ramazzini Institute (Cooperativa Sociale Onlus di Bologna), which is committed to the fight against cancer and environmental diseases, as well as the "Fondazione dopo di noi Onlus" in Bologna but operating throughout Italy, which aims to find, create, and arrange housing centers or facilities for adults and children with severe disabilities who are soon to be without family support.

It may be due to his great sensitivity... the value he places on friendship... his availability to support solidarity... it may be... it may be... an emotion that stems from a... GREAT HEART...