Eurovision Ireland has today heard the sad news that Toto Cutugno, who won the Eurovision Song Contest contest for Italy in 1990 in Zagreb ( then in Yugoslavia, now capital of Croatia) has passed away at the age of 80 years old, following a long illness in Milan, Italy.

Those of us who are able to remember the 1990 contest will recall that Toto won with his anthemic song “Insieme 1992”, a song about Europe becoming united. However before this , he was very well known in his native Italy and for his world wide hit “L’Italiano “. He was born Salvatore Cutugno in Tuscany and began his musical career as a drummer and later formed a band called Albatros. They participated in the 1976 Sanremo Music festival, finishing 3rd with their song “Volo 504”. Afterwards, the group split and Toto embarked on a solo and song writing career. He returned to Sanremo in 1980 and this time won the contest with “Solo Noi”. He also entered the 1983 Sanremo with what was to become an international hit “L’Italiano “. Even though the song only finished in 5th place, it became his biggest and well-known hit. Altogether, he entered the Sanremo festival an impressive 13 times .

Toto Cutugno at Eurovision

In 1990, Toto Cutugno represented Italy at the Eurovision Contest in Zagreb, with his self-penned song “Insieme 1992”. He won the contest , giving Italy their second victory, following Gigliola Cinquetti’s win in 1964 with “Non ho l’eta”.

In 1991, Toto returned to Eurovision to host the contest in Rome, together with another former Italian winner, Gigliola Cinquetti. Their performance as hosts was considered by fans and press alike to be one of the most chaotic seen at Eurovision to date.

In his personal life Toto was married to Carla in 1971 and had one child , a son, Nicolo. He died today in hospital, in Milan after a long illness, aged 80 years old.

We at Eurovision Ireland would like to send our condolences to Toto’s family and friends at this very sad time . Rest In Peace Toto Cutugno.

Author: Sarah Rudman

Source: Eurovision Ireland, RAI , YouTube, Wikipedia