Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Style Icon: Patty Pravo

I am always on the hunt for new music. Well, not new new. But new to me.

I love discovering fabulous singers or impressive bands from the past. There is a ton of good music in the world just sitting around, waiting for younger generations to fall in love with it.

One little gem I found was the Italian pop star, Patty Pravo.



I didn't know anything about this European beauty until I came across her music last week. I instantly fell in love with her deep, mysterious voice and boho chic style.

This is her story.



Patty Pravo was born in Venice in 1948. At five years old, she began piano and dance lessons, which would clear her path as a conservatory student a few years later. In her early teens, she became acquaintances with both the American poet Ezra Pound and Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII).



At 15, Patty left home to live in London and then promptly moved to Rome, where her life changed forever. She started going to the famous Piper Club, where her beauty, musical talent, and sparkling personality drew the attention of several famous films directors, including Fellini and Antonioni. The owner of the club asked her to sing. She began performing on stage at the club, singing R&B hits.



The gig lead to a record deal. In 1966, she released her first single, "Ragazzo triste", the Italian version of the song "But You're Mine" by Sonny & Cher. It was the first pop song broadcast on Vatican Radio.



A star was born. She not only became a world-wide pop sensation, but she became a symbol for young women during a generational metamorphosis. Her sultry good looks and provocative clothing caused quite a stir with the conservative parents of her listeners. Patty represented a generation that was becoming increasingly more liberal and sexual. She became a role model for hippie fashion.



Some of her biggest hits include, "Qui e là," "Se perdo te,” and "La bambola.” "La bambola" sold over one million copies by the end of 1968, and went gold.

Over the next four decades, Patty continued to top the international charts. At 62, she is still a sexy and fabulous performer.





Last year, the musician Tuccillo remixed her famous song, “La bambola” and turned it into a radio hit again. The tribute solidifies the Italian pop diva’s legacy and continues to introduce her to a new generation of listeners.

The original song:



The remix:


Which version do you like better?

61 comments:

Andrés Corella said...

I love her voice!...And her style is really awesome and she looks good at her age...just like wine! Only keeps getting better

xx
Andy

julia louise said...

Wow these photos are gorgeous. Like both of the songs :-)

http://www.julia-louise.blogspot.com

Tabatha said...

I need to google her because (as always with YT nowadays) I can't listen to the videos you posted. She looks very beautiful, especially on the first black & white picture!

Couture Carrie said...

She is so gorgeous and talented!
Love this bio!

xoxox,
CC

Once Upon A Time... said...

She's an amazing artist!! Love the old version :)

jos xx

Anonymous said...

she sure is fab!

MG said...

I love that I always learn something from your blog. Thank you, wise grasshopper.

David Macaulay said...

You have a knack of finding amazingly glamorous people I have never heard of ... oh you have been to the Corn Palace - how marvelous? I guess out Kansas way is a bit flat and needs those sort of places. I'm also confused why Kansas City isn't in Kansas...

Courtney Erin said...

She sounds like she's had an amazing career!

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

I like the first song best. In the second photo, she kind of looks like Catherine Deneuve.

Anonymous said...

What a great find. She's way hot. Neat piece of retro-Euro-culture you unearthed for us, J-Fab.

Closet Fashionista said...

Oooh love those photos!!! :D
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Unknown said...

Wow. She's gorgeous!

modern.girl said...

hello thank you for your kind words on my blog!

ooh, her voice is so deep and sultry. me likey!

cheers,
yvonne
modern.girl

Any Brasil said...

ela continua super bem ainda.
trendluxo.blogspot.com

Venus Loves Virgo said...

I love her!!! I get to see here almost every other night as a performer, guest host or what not on my RAI Italy cable station. She can still rock it at her age XOXO

Style, She Wrote said...

I've never heard of her but she is totally gorgeous! And what amazing style. I would kill for some of those amazing pop star ensembles. xo style, she wrote

stylenuggets said...

Her voice is awesome but her wardrobe would be worth a peek too!

Bonnie said...

I love your weird-ass interests. This is why we make such good blogger buddies. We're both strange.
AND I love this woman's music. It's now on my iPod.
So thanks. :)

http://glamkittenslitterbox.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Twenty.Something said...

I love her! Her style is fantastic. What an icon...she is adorable. Love the first photo... I want a shirt with that pattern... it's awesome!!

Amber Lucas A Mused Blog said...

About your Manolo post: GO GET EM GIRL!! damn what a prize!!! And, I love this womans style. So incredibly chic.

Amber
Ambersmouthwash

Unknown said...

Great photos!


PinkBeautyBliss.com

Josie said...

Her voice is lovely -- and I heart her style!
xo Josie
http://winksmielstyle.blogspot.com

little luxury list said...

So 70s chic and she aged ever so gracefully as well!

TheChambrayCountess said...

This is so cool- I had never heard of her before! I am not the type of person to know the newest "it" bands and discover new (to me) artists on my own, so I can always use a little help :)

Thanks for the visit!

http://thechambraycountess.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Need to listen to more of her stuff, these are great!

Vix said...

She's just as gorgeous now, isn't she?
What I'd give to go back in time and rifle her wardrobe. xxx

Design Elements said...

fabulous!

BenchesnChandeliers said...

what a find! she still looks great :)

www.benchesandchandeliers.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you! :)

xoxo

http://mirelamededovic.blogspot.com/

Vanilla said...

I love her voice! thanks so much for sharing this great find :)

Love, Vanilla

Fashionable Rose said...

she is so beautiful! like a true diva! thank u for ur comment xx

Sherin said...

Thanks for introducing her. She is absolutely gorgeous. I can see why she was a role model for the hippy generation as well: she has amazing style.

a woman's right to shoes said...

I have actually never heard of her, but she sounds amazing!

Sisters and Sisters said...

We don't her, but she is pretty. At some pictures she looks like Kate Moss!

XoXo
H&C from Amsterdam
www.sistersandsisters.com

SpryOnTheWall said...

Love these photos - she's fab and her voice is beautiful! Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!

Lee Oliveira said...

Her voice is incredible.. and her style and poses for the camera are just sensational.
Lee x

Leah said...

Thank you so much for your sweet comment. That chick has style, love those bug glasses!

xo L.

Cafe Fashionista said...

Gah! She has incredible style! :)

noone said...

she has a great voice and wow she's 62 in those pictures?! she looks 40 something!!

Unknown said...

I too have not heard about her, now that You have given a lot of information and really good bio...I'll get wired to her music this weekend.
Hope you are having a great time, Cheers :)

Oh to Be a Muse said...

it' so cool that she looks like a model, but is actually a singer. definitely a beautiful singer--i like the original.

Fashion Cappuccino said...

Wow, definitely one of my favorite new music finds because I love to dance :-). It's so awesome to read her bio too! She looks amazing at 62! xoxoxoxo

Tights Lover said...

I love her (and not just because she's Italian...although that never hurts:-))! She is stunningly gorgeous, I loved the photos.

I definitely liked both of the songs..although I'm always partial to the original, in these cases!

Venus Loves Virgo said...

Hey did you get your lipstick yet, Ansa did :)

Tabatha said...

Jennifer, I wanted to thank you for your sweet comment on my blog! That#s really too much :-) You should have seen me, I blushed big time. xoxo

mirjam schuurkamp said...

i love her so much!

like the songs 2!

thanks for the comment on my blog,
i have a new outfit, will you take a look?

Xo model from holland

www.mirfashion.blogspot.com
everyday a new post .

MY REPUBLIC OF FASHION said...

I have never heard of Patty before. Great reading about her. Can I have her hair, oh and her clothes?!! :)SArahD

Taryn said...

I absolutely love when amazing artists have awesome style to go along with their talent, she is a perfect example!

style-phenomenon.blogspot.com

kayla marie said...

love this post!

xo-Kayla Marie
www.wildchildfashion.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

its a really hard toss up, her voice is sexy, the original can appeal to an older generation with the remix is perfect to introduce to our dance craze trans house head kiddos

Ashley said...

She is gorgeous! And these shots make me want to go vintage shopping SO BADLY!!

-Ashley
http://breakfastatsaks.blogspot.com

FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION said...

She is a stunner!

Diego R. Wyatt said...

She is still gorgeous. I love the husky intonation in her voice. The original is perfection!

I also dig that she was pals with Ezra Pound...how cool is that?

Diego
www.howtozipyourfly.com

Unknown said...

Love the almost Bridget Bardot vibe.
~Giselle
http://www.machinewashwarm.blogspot.com

Phil said...

Wow I love the pics, very nice!

Pratishtha Durga said...

Oh, isn't she amazing! Our rockstars have a thing or two to learn from the yesteryear divas.

I like the old version more...

Anonymous said...

wow :D

Anonymous said...

Thanks so so much for sharing it!! I LOVE IT!!!
Now I'll just listen to her music for the next week!!! That's what happen to me when I discover a new artis!! lol

Thanks!!

www.whereverthesunsetis.blogspot.com

F. said...

Didn't know her. But the photos are gorgeous ;)

xoxo F.

M said...

I can't pick! I love both versions honestly - - and I've never heard of Patty before but she is completely fabulous. Will be looking to her for inspiration in the future :)

-Marie
So What If I Like Pretty Things