One fan described her as “a cross between The Beatles and Brenda Lee”. Still, Rita Pavone may not be particularly familiar to American audiences.
Before trying her luck in the US by appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show and scoring several singles, the Italian singer rose to fame in her native country in the 1960s. She also received signed artwork from Elvis and shared the stage with artists such as Paul Anka and Diana Ross.
Although Pavone is a legend in her native country, she never really achieved cult status in the United States. What is she doing now and how did she become so famous? Here’s everything you need to know about Rita Pavone, along with the amazing story of her meeting Elvis.
Rita Pavone was born on August 23, 1945, in Turin, Italy. Rita and her three brothers, Perio, Carlo, and Cicco, were raised by her mother, Maria, who stayed at home to take care of them. Her father, Giovanni Pavoni, worked at the Fiat factory in the Italian city.
Renowned Italian singer Rita Pavone always knew she wanted to be an artist. She started singing at various student events and then moved to various pubs in Turin. However, her life took a drastic turn in 1962 when pop music gained worldwide appeal, in part due to The Beatles and Elvis, whom Pavone later befriended.
The first “Rally of the Unknown” – a talent competition – was to be held in the Roman district of Ariccia, Italy. More than 20,000 budding musicians were expected to attend, but at this point, neither Pavone nor her mother were sure music was the right path.
“It was a very last resort. I was on the verge of giving it all up. I had been singing since I was nine years old, but I could never break through and become more than a local celebrity. My mother told me to put aside my desire for fame and wealth,” Pavone noted.
However, Rita’s father stood by her side the whole time. In a hidden letter to Teddy Reno, the organizer of the talent contest, he explained why his daughter should get a spot. A young, ambitious singer was given a chance and it worked.
“I went in thinking this is my last chance. Rita commented, “I would have returned to Turin and probably married on my mother’s advice to miss this opportunity.”
It’s pretty clear what happened next. Rita won the tournament and immediately became famous. Within a few weeks, Rita recorded her debut album, which was highlighted by the popular tune “La Partita di Pallone” (also known as “The Ball Game”). Rita has also performed live and on Italian TV shows.
“You don’t need to wear women’s clothes to be a woman”
“I’m still wondering what was the key to my success and I’m at a loss for words.
Everywhere I went – from Brazil to England, France to Germany – I was able to participate in global charts with songs that were either produced locally or translated into other languages, Rita noted.
“I was the first to be overwhelmed by everyone’s interest in me. There was a certain quality to my voice, perhaps—it was sharp and a little high, yet quite intimate.”
“I think that strong personality was my trump card,” she continued. Being noticed means having a personality. But nowadays there is a pervasive tendency to imitate others, which has inevitably resulted in a large number of “photocopied products”. In my case, I also had a face with red hair and freckles that was between a girl’s and a boy’s.”
Rita’s physical characteristics subsequently became the subject of much discussion when she began working on television. The term “tomboy” refers to girls or young women who display masculine features, and it seemed to fit that description.
Pavone famously said, “You don’t need to wear women’s clothes to be a woman.”
After winning a talent show and rising to prominence in Italy, Pavone, then 19, experienced instant celebrity. After selling hundreds of thousands of albums in Italy, she was invited to the United States to try out for RCA Records. Rita was seen by everyone as the latest and greatest thing.
After recording the album, she embarked on a national public relations tour and appeared on the venerable Ed Sullivan Show.
Amazing meeting with Elvis Presley
She also had the opportunity to meet some of the all-time great singers. Rita shared the stage alongside Ella Fitzgerald, Tom Jones Diana Ross, and The Supremes. She also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show several times and performed at New York’s famous Carnegie Hall.
However, the largest and most famous gathering was not held on the platform.
Rather, it was in a recording studio in Nashville that Rita Pavone first laid eyes on Elvis Presley, perhaps the biggest star in history and one of her biggest idols.
With his music, the King of Rock gave the whole world something fresh. He was without a doubt one of the most gifted and amazing artists we have ever seen.
In addition to being a well-known musician with hits like “Jailhouse Rock,” “In the Ghetto,” “Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender,” Elvis appeared in several films that propelled his career forward. These included the masterpieces King Creole (1958), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and The Trouble with Girls (1969), among others.
Elvis Presley was a huge entertainment phenomenon who sadly died in August 1977 leaving the world in mourning.
Graceland, Elvis Presley’s mansion outside Memphis, Tennessee, gained international fame after the musician paid $102,500 for it in 1959.
Elvis moved to Graceland on June 26, 1957, and remained there until his untimely death, according to the museum there.
Years later, in 1982, the estate and Elvis’ legacy were preserved when his ex-wife Priscilla and two executors turned it into a museum.
“I began to moan like children.
Graceland is 17,552 square feet and offers 23 rooms. With nearly 600,000 annual visitors, it is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.
Only the White House is said to receive more visitors than this one in the United States. Since its opening in 1982, it has been visited by over 22 million people from all over the world.
The Presley family reportedly spends over $500,000 a year maintaining the property.
Rita Pavone was filming in “Music City” with her producer Chet Atkins when they crossed paths. The Italian, who could not speak English at the time, overheard her “muse”, Brenda Lee, talking about Elvis. But Rita couldn’t figure out why.
Rita Pavone was filming in “Music City” with her producer Chet Atkins when they crossed paths. The Italian, who could not speak English at the time, overheard her “muse”, Brenda Lee, discussing Elvis. But Rita couldn’t figure out why.
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As it happened, Elvis was scheduled to stop by the same recording studio. When Pavone heard this through her interpreter, she shuddered.
“I felt a chill go over me because I wanted to meet him. Rita recalled, “I went to Chet Atkins and asked him as a big favor to let me know at one point.”
“I observed a group of individuals arming themselves; they appeared to be preparing for the Normandy landings, and claimed that they did not wish to be disturbed. I persuaded them that I could not afford to lose this opportunity, and so I began to complain like a child, but instead, they gave me a lot of advice.”
Rita Pavone continued: “I waited at the RCA studios until midnight until his staff – his lawyer, his secretary, the sound engineer, and everyone else – came in first. He was next. I’ve never seen yellow Ray-Bans on anyone before.” and I liked his chops. When I came in he greeted me, he was really helpful and said I could have a few he handed me a canvas that said “Happy Birthday Rita” he kissed me and left.
Elvis claimed he knew Rita.
Rita Pavone has a very special place in her heart for the screen, and of course meeting Elvis was amazing.
*It’s home! A realistic and pragmatic son indicated that he would sell it if I died! I was in awe of a man of such caliber and fame who was so genuine,” the woman said.
Millions of admirers around the world wanted to meet Elvis. Rita got her wish, but she wouldn’t have had the opportunity if Elvis’ manager had his way.
It is claimed that Elvis’ management opposed his client’s meeting with Rita. But when they finally got together, Elvis said something amazing.
Colonel Parker, his known manager, forbade me to meet him. However, upon leaving the studio, he recognized me and remarked: “But I know you!” Elvis was the one who identified me when you visited the Ed Sullivan show. Pavore recalled, “I asked him for a picture, but he even gave me one of his paintings.”
The singer from Italy could not have wished for a better result. In 1966, three of her songs reached the British charts: Cuore, Viva La Pappa Col Pomodoro, and Datemi un Martello.
Several other singles became hits in other countries such as Brazil and Germany.
However, as already mentioned, there was a problem with penetration into the US. Being the next big thing was challenging at the time because “Beatlemania” was sweeping the nation.
Rita Pavone’s controversial marriage
Rita never achieved much success in the US and decided to return to Italy after five years. There she became famous on television. The singer starred in many TV shows and films after making her screen debut in the 1965 series Il Giornalino di Gian Burrasca.
When Rita returned to Italy, she also met her true love. Remember Teddy Reno from all those years ago when he first let her into the talent show? As the years passed, their love grew stronger and he eventually took over the role of her manager. When the couple finally tied the knot in 1968, it was met with much controversy from friends and relatives.
Rita was almost twenty years younger than Teddy.
Although they had been dating since the early 1960s, their age difference was a major controversy. Rita’s father was not pleased that she and Teddy were considering marriage when she returned to Italy after meeting Elvis.
Father Pavone expressed his opposition to the marriage by threatening to hinder it in any way he could. But as the years passed, he concluded that his suspicions about his daughter were wrong.
“One day he came back to our Swiss home and said he had made a mistake. Rita recounted: “Dad tried everything; he didn’t want me to get married, but he also realized that everyone has to make their own decisions.
Rita Pavone: currently
For several decades, Pavone’s career endured. She announced her stage retirement in the mid-2000s. Seven years later, she returned and in 2016 participated in the Italian competition Dancing with the Stars. In 2020, she appeared twice at the famous Sanremo festival: once for the Christmas special and again the following year. She now lives in Ticino, Switzerland with Teddy, her husband.
Rita Pavone’s journey from a promising young singer in Italy to a revered figure in the music industry has been nothing short of remarkable. Fueled by her father’s support and determination, her early success at the Rally of the Unknown set the stage for a career that saw her achieve fame across Europe and briefly in the United States. Despite the challenges of breaking into the US market amid waves of ‘Beatlemania’, Rita’s undeniable talent and unique voice captivated audiences around the world and earned a special place in the hearts of fans around the world.
Her unforgettable encounter with Elvis Presley remains one of the highlights of her storied career, representing a moment of pure serendipity and true connection that few can claim. Signed artwork by Elvis, a cherished memento, symbolizes the extraordinary experiences that shaped her life and legacy.
When Rita returned to Italy, her personal and professional life continued to prosper, especially after her marriage to Teddy Reno, a relationship that withstood both public scrutiny and personal challenges. Together, they navigated the complexities of fame and family, proving that love and perseverance can overcome any obstacle.
Today, Rita Pavone lives with Teddy in Ticino, Switzerland, and continues to perform and inspire new generations with her timeless music. Her performances at the Sanremo Festival and participation in shows such as Dancing with the Stars Italy underscore her enduring appeal and versatility as an artist. Rita Pavone’s story is a testament to the resilience, passion, and enduring power of music to bridge cultures and touch lives around the world.