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Sweeten up your concert-going with Zucchero

The Italian superstar comes to Berklee Performance Center on Sept. 16.

By Ed Symkus

July 26, 2022

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The Italian rock-pop singer Zucchero has sold out concert halls, stadiums, and arenas all over the world in the four decades since he made his first album “Un Po di Zucchero.” And that’s just a small fragment from a long list of his accomplishments.

Here are a few highlights from his career. Hailing from the northern Italian village of Roncocesi, he started singing and playing in R&B bands in the 1970s. He recorded with Springsteen veterans David Sancious and Clarence Clemons – along with the Memphis Horns – on his album “Blue’s.” Teaming up with Paul Young, he had an international hit with the single “Senza Una Donna (Without a Woman).” He dueted with Luciano Pavarotti on the title track of the album “Miserere.” He did the same thing with John Lee Hooker on the song “Ali d’Oro.” And he sang, while Miles Davis played, on another hit, “Dune Mosse.”

Zucchero made the album “Spirito Di Vino,” on which he caught the feelings of the Mississippi Delta. He performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with Little Richard. He opened for the Rolling Stones in 1999, and is doing it again this summer.

Remember, that was just a few highlights that were triggered by his love of all sorts of American music as a kid. He listened to and ate up recordings by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Chicago, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. When it came time to enter the studio, he took those sounds and blended them with Mediterranean and Italian influences.

One of the reasons he’s built up an appreciative audience is his versatility. Zucchero can hit the stage, step up to a microphone, and sing a soft, melodic ballad or absolutely rock out in a voice that’s got a little bit of Joe Cocker and Ray Charles waiting to pop out. He can perform his repertoire in Italian, English, and Spanish, and can jump around in those languages during between-song chatter. He also shifts back and forth in accompanying himself on piano and acoustic guitar.

Since his 2020 tour to promote his 2019 album “D.O.C.” was cancelled because of the pandemic, he’ll be focusing on that release this time around. Fans will undoubtedly also be treated to a tune or two from his 2021 release “Discover,” consisting of internationally acclaimed cover songs.

One other thing: His real name is Adelmo Fornaciari. His nickname was given to him by a primary school teacher when he was a bambino. Zucchero is the Italian word for sugar.

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