Who Are Those Composers? ~ Tony Renis

Tony Renis was born Elio Cesare on May,131938 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. He made his debut in the mid-1950s, paired with Adriano Celentano, performing an impression of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. In 1958, he signed to the label "Combo Record" as a singer and started releasing covers of Italian and American songs. In 1961, Renis debuted at the Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Pozzanghere". In 1962, Renis gained international success with the song "Quando, quando, quando", written with Alberto Testa and performed at the Sanremo Music Festival. One year later, he won the same Festival with the song "Uno per tutte", and, in 1967, he reached second place with the song "Quando dico che ti amo". In 1972, he composed the song "Grande grande grande" with Alberto Testa, successfully performed by Mina, and later by Shirley Bassey under the English translation title "Never Never Never" also covered by several other artists. In 1974, he won the Nastro d'Argento for the Best Score for the score of Brothers Blue. In the 1980s, Tony Renis mainly worked as music producer and, in 1981, he launched the career of Nikka Costa. In 1999, Renis received a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Oscar for the song "The Prayer", performed by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, from the Quest for Camelot movie soundtrack. In 2005, he won a David di Donatello for the song "Merry Christmas in Love" from the film Christmas in Love. The song was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song at the 63rd Golden Globe Awards.

RENIS, Tony (Elio Cesare) [5/13/1938, Milan, Lombardy, Italy -     ] – producer, director, composer, actor.

A Dollar of Fear – 1960 [sings: “Oh Cherie”]

Brothers Blue – 1971