Al Bano Carrisi

He was born in the town of Cellino San Marco (province of Brindisi, Apulia in Southern Italy), where he still lives. His mother named him Albano because, when he was born, his father was fighting in Albania for the Italian Army during World War II. He made his debute in 1966 both as a singer, at the Festival delle Rose, and on television. He won the Disco per l'Estate, an Italian song contest, with "Pensando a te" in 1968. He recorded some major hits such as "La siepe" and "Nel sole" at that time. He married Romina Power (daughter of the American actor Tyrone Power), the woman who had already started to share her musical career with him, on July 26, 1970. Al Bano returned to his solo career in 1996 with È la mia vita which was followed by Verso il sole in 1997 and Ancora in volo in 1999.