6 August 1994: Domenico Modugno dead


An absolute legend, Italian singer Domenico Modugno, passed away 23 years ago today. Born on 9 January 1928, he was just 66 years old when he died. In Eurovision terms, he became a legend almost by accident, after his 'Nel blu dipinto di blu' became an international hit song in 1958 after not winning the Eurovision Song Contest. The song became known as 'Volare' and was covered by numerous other legendary artists such as Dean Martin, Connie Francis, Al Martino, David Bowie and Paul McCartney.

Modugno also performed Italy's 1959 entry, 'Piove (ciao, ciao bambina)', which you can see here. After becoming 3rd in a field of 10 contestants in 1958,  'Piove' only made it to 6th place in a field of 11 competitors.

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