Antonio Morese (9 December 1935 – 5 December 2021), known professionally as Toni Santagata, was an Italian folk singer, composer, comedian, and actor. He was sometimes credited as Tony Santagata.
Toni Santagata | |
---|---|
Born | Antonio Morese 9 December 1935 |
Died | 5 December 2021 Rome, Italy | (aged 85)
Occupation(s) | Singer, comedian, actor |
Born in Sant'Agata di Puglia, Foggia, Santagata debuted as a comedian at the Derby Club in Milan, with the show Toni Santagata e il suo cabaret, later also released as an album.[1] In the following years he embraced folk music, both recording some classics of the Apulian tradition and composing songs.[1] In 1973 Santagata won the folk section of Canzonissima with "Lu maritiello"; the song was also his major hit, peaking at the sixth place on the Italian hit parade.[1][2]
Santagata died on 5 December 2021, at the age of 85.[3]