Who Are Those Composers? – Fred Bongusto

Alfredo Antonio Carlo Buongusto was born in, Campobasso, Molise, Italy on April 6, 1935. He made his singing debut as Fred Bongusto with the song "Bella Bellissima", which was written by his friend Ghigo Agosti and produced by the Milan-based label Primary. It was released on a 45 rpm in 1960, with "Doce Doce" on the flip side. Some of his most successful songs include "Malaga", "Una rotonda sul mare", "Spaghetti a Detroit" and "Prima c'eri tu", which won the 1966 edition of Un Disco per l'Estate. Bongusto was also successful in South America, especially Brazil where he collaborated with Toquinho and Vinicius de Moraes.

Fred composed the soundtracks for 24 movies, such as “One After the Other”, “Un Detective” (1969), “The Divorce” (1970), “Come Have Coffee with Us” (1970), “The Eroticist” (1972), “Gli ordini sono ordini” (1972), “Malizia” (1973), “Lovers and Other Relatives” (1974), “Le farò da padre” (1974), “Conviene far bene l'amore” (1975), “Al piacere di rivederla” (1976), “Oh, Serafina!” (1976), “Fantozzi contro tutti” (1980), “Fracchia la belva umana” (1981) and “Superfantozzi” (1986). He also starred in “Obiettivo ragazze” (1961) and “Peccato Veniale” (1974).

Fred is best known to Euro-western fans for his song “Maybe One, Maybe Nine” from the film “One After the Other” which he composed the score for with Berto Pisano.

In the 1990s, he was elected as a PSI town councilor in Bari. On March 18, 2005 the President of the Council (Premier), Silvio Berlusconi, presented him with a silver plate to celebrate the 50th year of his career. On June 2, 2005 he was awarded the title of Commendatore by President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

Today he is currently married to Gabriella Palazzoli, an Italian soubrette, who was famous in the 1950s and 1960s. She is known for starring in the film “Buonanotte... Avvocato!” with Alberto Sordi. In 1960, before their marriage, Palazzoli had a previous marriage with American actor John Drew Barrymore, who is the father of her daughter Blyth Dolores. Blyth was raised by Bongusto.

Bongusto enjoys playing soccer and tennis, and is very good at both sports. He enjoys antiquing and reading Tex Willer comics. Bongusto currently spends much of his time in Ischia, in the village of Sant'Angelo, the places which inspired some of his songs.

BONGUSTO, Fred (Alfredo Antonio Carlo Buongusto) [4/6/1935, Campobasso, Molise, Italy -     ] – composer, conductor, singer, actor, married to actress Gabriella Palazzoli

Adiós Gringo* - 1965 [sings "Adiós Gringo"]
One After the Other* – 1968 (co)

     Song: “Maybe One, Maybe Nine” sung by Fred Bongusto (Alfredo Bongusto)

*Available on CD