Maurizio Graf was born Maurizio Attanasio in Gorizia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy in 1941. Graf was one of the most recognized voices of the Euro-western genre. Besides his solo career he would sometimes sing with Alessandro Alessandroni’s ‘I Cantori Noderni’ on a few Ennio Morricone soundtracks.
He graduated from the Dante Alighieri classical high school. Maurizio articipated in the historic musical competitions organized at the Ugg in the early fifties, winning two consecutively. Later he was then inserted as a singer in the Gorizia musical group "I Vagabondi", very popular at the time, which included Vittorio Brancati (who would later also become mayor of Gorizia) on double bass, Enrico Zampi on drums, Aldo Cossovel on piano and Carlo Chersevani on guitar. The group had gained notoriety even outside the region, so much so that it was called for two years to perform during the winter at the famous Hotel Miramonti in Cortina, and made some recordings at RCA in Rome, at that time the largest Italian record company.
Graf moved to Rome, and there his songs came to the attention of experts. Thus came the most important call, to work together with Ennio Morricone, of whom he became a close and trusted collaborator. His vocals in the films "A Pistol for Ringo" with Giuliano Gemma, and "The Return of Ringo" will remain unforgettable. He toured Australia and was invited to perform with the Spaghetti Western Orchestra in London in 2012 in Elisabeth Hall.
After leaving the world of entertainment he worked for several clothing companies.
He’s best remembered for his vocals on “A Pistol for Ringo” and “The Return of Ringo” (1965), but also for his song “Find a Man” from 1968’s “Johnny Hamlet” (aka The Wild and the Dirty). He also sang the main themes for “Killer Caliber .32” (1967), "Killer Adios" (1967).
GRAF,
Maurizio (aka Grafman) (Maurizio
Attanasio) [1941, Gorizia, Friuli
Venezia Giulia, Italy – 10/25/2019, Lugo, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – film actor,
singer, married to Silvia Attanazio (19??-2019), member of the singing group ‘I
Vagabondi”.
Killer, Adios –
1968 [sings: “Killer, Adios”]
A Pistol for Ringo*
- 1965 [sings: “Angel Face”]
The Return of
Ringo* – 1965 [sings: “Il ritorno di Ringo”, “La mia gente”]
Killer Caliber
.32 – 1967 [sings: “Amica Colt”]
The Wild and the
Dirty – 1968 [sings: “Find That Man”]
I think I heard Maurizio Graf singing in the film, "Killer Caliber .32". I kept wondering who it was that was singing and I narrowed it done to only three people. Gino, Raoul, and Maurizio Graf. Was it Gino? No. Was it Raoul? No. It HAD to be Maurizio since he was the only choice left. And I was right. There's nobody else I can think of, Italian or otherwise, that sounds quite like him. He sings the song, "Amica Colt" in the film "Killer Caliber .32" and he also sang "Find That Man" in "The Wild And The Dirty", AKA "Johnny Hamlet". He was a great singer and his voice will never be forgotten. RIP Maurizio.
ReplyDeleteOops! I meant to say that I narrowed it DOWN to only three people. Curse this machine that goes by the name laptop! LOL
ReplyDelete