The presenter and icon of Italian media, as of tonight, is no more. The screen has gone dark, the television man who marked 60 years of television history and, consequently — whether he likes it or not, whether for subscribers or for former television tax evaders — also of Italian history has gone.
His father dreamed of a future as a lawyer for him, Baudo (born in Militello on June 7, 1936) did not oppose it, but thought only of the world of spectacle.
The first step dates back to 1959: "I made my debut at La conchiglia d'oro, a music competition in Palermo: it was presented by Enzo Tortora. I was in the role of pianist, my first public appearance. Then I graduated in Jurisprudence, but immediately afterwards I went to Rome to follow the path of spectacle."
And here are the first rehearsals: "I auditioned as a pianist, singer, impersonator and presenter. Only the fourth rehearsal went well: it was written. Pino Procacci and Antonello Falqui told me: "Imagine yourself at the Sanremo Festival presenting Mina." Well, I knew everything about Sanremo and Mina. It was a triumph", part of the story of the late Pipo Baudo about the start of his 60-year journey in the media.
