Franco De Vita
Encyclopedia
Franco De Vita is a singer-songwriter
of Latin music. His first disc as a solo artist garnered three Spanish-language hits in Venezuela. He signed with the Sony
label in 1988, and in 1990, his album Extranjero
had a song that reached No. 1 on the U.S. Latin charts and won an MTV
Video Music Award. His 2004 album Stop
reached the Top 10 throughout Latin America and on the U.S. Latin charts.
to Italian
immigrants, De Vita’s family returned to Italy
when he was 3. The family moved back to Venezuela when De Vita was 13. Due to his upbringing in Italy, De Vita learned Italian as his first language and did not learn Spanish until he returned to Venezuela at age 13. He later studied piano
at the university level. In 1982, De Vita formed the group Icaro, which released one self-titled album in his homeland. Two years later, he released his first disc as a solo artist, simply titled Franco De Vita. The album spun off three Spanish-language hits: "Somos Tres", "No Hay Cielo", and "Un Buen Perdedor". His 1986 album Fantasía
produced several more hits, including the title song and "Aquí Estás Otra Vez". "Sólo Importas Tú", taken from the album, was used as the theme song to the Spanish-language soap opera La Dama De Rosa
. He appeared in the end credits of every episode, performing the song at the piano.
Seeking wider international exposure, De Vita moved to the Sony
label for the 1988
album Al Norte Del Sur
. The album showed his socially-conscious, adult-oriented pop, particularly through the tunes "Te Amo" and "Louis". The latter song, about a daydreaming cabbie who idolizes The Beatles
, was promoted with a music video
considered quite advanced for its time. De Vita's 1990 album Extranjero
featured the song "No Basta", which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Latin charts and won an MTV
Video Music Award.
(1992
); Voces a mi Alrededor
in 1993
; the acoustic-flavored Fuera de Este Mundo
(1996
); and 1999
's world-beat inspired Nada Es Igual
. He left Sony for the 2002
album Segundas partes también son buenas
, but returned to the label the following year.
reached the Top 10 throughout Latin America and on the U.S. Latin charts, spurred by the hits “Tú De Qué Vas” and “Si La Ves,” the latter a collaboration with pop group Sin Bandera
. That same year, he toured arenas in the United States
on a co-headlining tour with Ricardo Montaner
, a fellow Venezuelan songwriter. He also has recorded in Italian
and Portuguese
. As a songwriter, he has written songs for Ricky Martin
and Chayanne
.
In 2005, an expanded edition of Stop was released, titled Stop + Algo Más, that included remixes and live recordings, as well as No Sé Lo Que Me Das, De Vita's first recording in English. The following year saw the release of Mil y Una Historias En Vivo
, a two-disc live album that also featured four studio tracks, including collaborations with Alejandro Fernández
and Diego El Cigala
. A DVD version was released simultaneously.
In 2007, De Vita collaborated on a single with reggaeton
duo Wisin & Yandel
called "Oye Donde Esta El Amor", which borrowed the chorus from his composition "Donde Esta El Amor." They released an updated version of "Un Buen Perdedor" that peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard
Hot Latin Songs chart. In 2008, he re-recorded "Que No Muera La Esperanza" (originally featured on Voces A Mi Alrededor) with Wisin & Yandel, as well as releasing a new studio album, Simplemente La Verdad
.
(excludes compilations)
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
of Latin music. His first disc as a solo artist garnered three Spanish-language hits in Venezuela. He signed with the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
label in 1988, and in 1990, his album Extranjero
Extranjero
Extranjero was a 1990 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced three singles, most notably the critically acclaimed "No Basta," which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Latin music charts in the United States. Other singles from the album included "Ya Lo He...
had a song that reached No. 1 on the U.S. Latin charts and won an MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
Video Music Award. His 2004 album Stop
Stop (Franco De Vita album)
Stop is a 2004 album by Franco De Vita. The major hit single was "Tu De Que Vas", however, "Ay Dios" and "Si La Ves", a collaboration with Sin Bandera, were also released as singles...
reached the Top 10 throughout Latin America and on the U.S. Latin charts.
1980s
One of four children born in VenezuelaVenezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
to Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
immigrants, De Vita’s family returned to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
when he was 3. The family moved back to Venezuela when De Vita was 13. Due to his upbringing in Italy, De Vita learned Italian as his first language and did not learn Spanish until he returned to Venezuela at age 13. He later studied piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at the university level. In 1982, De Vita formed the group Icaro, which released one self-titled album in his homeland. Two years later, he released his first disc as a solo artist, simply titled Franco De Vita. The album spun off three Spanish-language hits: "Somos Tres", "No Hay Cielo", and "Un Buen Perdedor". His 1986 album Fantasía
Fantasia
Fantasia may refer to:*Fantasia , a traditional equestrian performance practiced in North africa*Show tango, also called Fantasia, a more theatrical and exaggerated form of Argentine tango*1224 Fantasia, an asteroid...
produced several more hits, including the title song and "Aquí Estás Otra Vez". "Sólo Importas Tú", taken from the album, was used as the theme song to the Spanish-language soap opera La Dama De Rosa
La Dama de Rosa
La Dama de Rosa was a Venezuelan telenovela that was produced by and seen on Venezuela's Radio Caracas Televisión. It was written by José Ignacio Cabrujas and directed by Luis Manzo and Tito Rojas. This telenovela lasted 144 episodes and it achieved a significant amount of success inside and...
. He appeared in the end credits of every episode, performing the song at the piano.
Seeking wider international exposure, De Vita moved to the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
label for the 1988
1988 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.-January-March:* January 1 – André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra plays its first concert....
album Al Norte Del Sur
Al Norte Del Sur
Al Norte Del Sur was a 1988 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced four hit singles: "Louis," "Te Amo," "Promesas" and "Esta Vez." All four singles reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Latin music charts in the United States....
. The album showed his socially-conscious, adult-oriented pop, particularly through the tunes "Te Amo" and "Louis". The latter song, about a daydreaming cabbie who idolizes The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, was promoted with a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
considered quite advanced for its time. De Vita's 1990 album Extranjero
Extranjero
Extranjero was a 1990 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced three singles, most notably the critically acclaimed "No Basta," which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Latin music charts in the United States. Other singles from the album included "Ya Lo He...
featured the song "No Basta", which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Latin charts and won an MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
Video Music Award.
1990s
Most albums have included the live release En Vivo Marzo 16En Vivo Marzo 16
En Vivo Marzo 16 is a 1992 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The album is a concert recording made in Caracas, Venezuela, De Vita's birthplace. The title refers to the date of the recording : Marzo 16 de 1991 . Two studio cuts were included on the disc: One of them, "No Lo Había...
(1992
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
); Voces a mi Alrededor
Voces a mi Alrededor
Voces a mi Alrededor is a 1993 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced "Calido y Frio," a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Latin music charts. Lesser hits from the disc include "Y Te Pienso" and "Los Hijos de la Oscuridad."-Tracks:...
in 1993
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
; the acoustic-flavored Fuera de Este Mundo
Fuera de Este Mundo
Fuera de Este Mundo is a 1996 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD's title song was a hit on the Billboard Latin music charts.-Tracks:*1. Esperando el sol*2. Fuera de este mundo*3. Si quieres decir adiós*4. Tocando el cielo...
(1996
1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
); and 1999
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
's world-beat inspired Nada Es Igual
Nada es igual (Franco De Vita album)
Nada Es Igual is a 1999 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced "Traigo Una Pena," a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Latin music charts. Other hits from the disc include "Si Tú No Estás" and "Te Veo Venir, Soledad."-Track listing:...
. He left Sony for the 2002
2002 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
album Segundas partes también son buenas
Segundas partes también son buenas
Segundas Partes Tambien Son Buenas is a 2002 album by Franco De Vita released on the Universal label. This was De Vita's only release for the company. On the CD, he re-recorded several of his earlier hits using different Latin music styles. The disc featured De Vita's first officially released...
, but returned to the label the following year.
2000s
His 2004 album StopStop (Franco De Vita album)
Stop is a 2004 album by Franco De Vita. The major hit single was "Tu De Que Vas", however, "Ay Dios" and "Si La Ves", a collaboration with Sin Bandera, were also released as singles...
reached the Top 10 throughout Latin America and on the U.S. Latin charts, spurred by the hits “Tú De Qué Vas” and “Si La Ves,” the latter a collaboration with pop group Sin Bandera
Sin Bandera
Sin Bandera was a Latin pop duo based in Mexico that consisted of Leonel García, and Noel Schajris. They became one of the most popular artists after their debut album "Sin Bandera" was released in 2001.-Biography:...
. That same year, he toured arenas in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on a co-headlining tour with Ricardo Montaner
Ricardo Montaner
Ricardo Montaner is an Argentine-Venezuelan singer and songwriter. Starting his career in the early 80s, he has already released more than 15 albums with numerous successful singles and has sold over 22 million record worldwide.-Early years:Montaner was born as Héctor Eduardo Reglero Montaner, in...
, a fellow Venezuelan songwriter. He also has recorded in Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
and Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
. As a songwriter, he has written songs for Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin
Enrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
and Chayanne
Chayanne
Elmer Figueroa Arce , best known under the stage name Chayanne, is a Puerto Rican Latin pop singer and actor. As a solo artist, Chayanne has released 21 solo-albums and sold over 20 million albums worldwide.-Early life:...
.
In 2005, an expanded edition of Stop was released, titled Stop + Algo Más, that included remixes and live recordings, as well as No Sé Lo Que Me Das, De Vita's first recording in English. The following year saw the release of Mil y Una Historias En Vivo
Mil y Una Historias En Vivo
Mil y Una Historias En Vivo is a 2006 album by Franco De Vita. The album earned a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Album.-Track listing:#"TENGO" Pop Version#"AY DIOS" con Diego “El Cigala”...
, a two-disc live album that also featured four studio tracks, including collaborations with Alejandro Fernández
Alejandro Fernández
Alejandro Fernández is a Mexican singer. Nicknamed as "El Potrillo" by the media and his fans, he has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Alejandro is the son of the ranchera singer Vicente Fernández. He originally specialized in traditional, earthy forms of Mexican folk music, such as...
and Diego El Cigala
Diego El Cigala
Diego Ramón Jiménez Salazar, known as El Cigala , is a famous Spanish Romani Flamenco singer...
. A DVD version was released simultaneously.
In 2007, De Vita collaborated on a single with reggaeton
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
duo Wisin & Yandel
Wisin & Yandel
Wisin & Yandel are a Puerto Rican reggaeton Duo, consisting of Juan Luis Morera Luna and Llandel Veguilla Malavé Salazar . They started their career in 1998 and have been together since, winning several awards during that time....
called "Oye Donde Esta El Amor", which borrowed the chorus from his composition "Donde Esta El Amor." They released an updated version of "Un Buen Perdedor" that peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Latin Songs chart. In 2008, he re-recorded "Que No Muera La Esperanza" (originally featured on Voces A Mi Alrededor) with Wisin & Yandel, as well as releasing a new studio album, Simplemente La Verdad
Simplemente La Verdad
Simplemente La Verdad is a 2008 album released by Franco De Vita. The album received a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Best Singer-Songwriter Album.-Track listing:# "Simplemente La Verdad"# "Si Un Día Te Vuelvo A Ver"# "Mi Sueño"# "Probablemente"...
.
Spanish-language album discography
- 1984 Franco De VitaFranco De Vita (album)Franco De Vita was Franco De Vita's first solo album, released in 1984.-Track listing:#"Somos Tres"#"Un Buen Perdedor"#"Lluvia Pasajera"#"Por Qué Te Escondes"#"No Hay Cielo"#"Ana"#"Cómo Apartarte de Mí"#"Este Es Mi Número"#"Ahora"...
- 1986 FantasíaFantasiaFantasia may refer to:*Fantasia , a traditional equestrian performance practiced in North africa*Show tango, also called Fantasia, a more theatrical and exaggerated form of Argentine tango*1224 Fantasia, an asteroid...
- 1988 Al Norte Del SurAl Norte Del SurAl Norte Del Sur was a 1988 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced four hit singles: "Louis," "Te Amo," "Promesas" and "Esta Vez." All four singles reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Latin music charts in the United States....
- 1990 ExtranjeroExtranjeroExtranjero was a 1990 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced three singles, most notably the critically acclaimed "No Basta," which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Latin music charts in the United States. Other singles from the album included "Ya Lo He...
- 1992 En Vivo Marzo 16En Vivo Marzo 16En Vivo Marzo 16 is a 1992 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The album is a concert recording made in Caracas, Venezuela, De Vita's birthplace. The title refers to the date of the recording : Marzo 16 de 1991 . Two studio cuts were included on the disc: One of them, "No Lo Había...
- 1993 Voces a mi AlrededorVoces a mi AlrededorVoces a mi Alrededor is a 1993 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced "Calido y Frio," a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Latin music charts. Lesser hits from the disc include "Y Te Pienso" and "Los Hijos de la Oscuridad."-Tracks:...
- 1996 Fuera de Este MundoFuera de Este MundoFuera de Este Mundo is a 1996 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD's title song was a hit on the Billboard Latin music charts.-Tracks:*1. Esperando el sol*2. Fuera de este mundo*3. Si quieres decir adiós*4. Tocando el cielo...
- 1999 Nada Es IgualNada es igual (Franco De Vita album)Nada Es Igual is a 1999 album by Franco De Vita released on the Sony label. The CD produced "Traigo Una Pena," a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Latin music charts. Other hits from the disc include "Si Tú No Estás" and "Te Veo Venir, Soledad."-Track listing:...
- 2002 Segundas partes también son buenasSegundas partes también son buenasSegundas Partes Tambien Son Buenas is a 2002 album by Franco De Vita released on the Universal label. This was De Vita's only release for the company. On the CD, he re-recorded several of his earlier hits using different Latin music styles. The disc featured De Vita's first officially released...
- 2004 StopStop (Franco De Vita album)Stop is a 2004 album by Franco De Vita. The major hit single was "Tu De Que Vas", however, "Ay Dios" and "Si La Ves", a collaboration with Sin Bandera, were also released as singles...
- 2005 Stop + Algo Más
- 2006 Mil y Una Historias En VivoMil y Una Historias En VivoMil y Una Historias En Vivo is a 2006 album by Franco De Vita. The album earned a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Album.-Track listing:#"TENGO" Pop Version#"AY DIOS" con Diego “El Cigala”...
- 2008 Simplemente La VerdadSimplemente La VerdadSimplemente La Verdad is a 2008 album released by Franco De Vita. The album received a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Best Singer-Songwriter Album.-Track listing:# "Simplemente La Verdad"# "Si Un Día Te Vuelvo A Ver"# "Mi Sueño"# "Probablemente"...
- 2011 En Primera FilaEn Primera FilaEn primera fila is the third live album by Venezuelan recording artist Franco De Vita. It was released by Sony Music on May 31, 2011, after a three-year gap since the release of his last studio album. De Vita worked as producer, along with David Cabrera...
(excludes compilations)
Album discography (non-Spanish)
- 1993 Straniero (Italian)
- 1993 Isto é America (Portuguese)
External links
- Official Franco De Vita Web Site
- Franco De Vita Donde Esta el Amor