Bobby Soloman Smith

Biographyby Drago BonacichItalian 1960s teen idol Bobby Solo made his debut while recording his first two singles in 1963, "Ora Che Sei Gia Una Donna" and "Blue é Blue." The artist's breakthrough came in 1964 after participating in San Remo's Festival, where he sang "Una Lacrima Sul Viso," which became an important episode in the Italian pop music history. A year later, Bobby Solo came in first place at the same event with "Se Piangi, Se Ridi" and one more time in 1969 after singing Gianni Morandi's "Zingara," later recorded by Connie Francis. The singer/songwriter's self-titled debut album was followed by Il Secondo LP and La Vie En Rose. In 1978, the disco version of "Una Lacrima Sul Viso" put his name back on local and European charts.