Soulful International Rock Star Zucchero to Headline 2007 Columbus Day Parade Red Carpet Performances

Soulful International Rock Star Zucchero to Headline 2007 Columbus Day Parade Red Carpet Performances

Italian Singer-Songwriter to Appear on Heels of Carnegie Hall Concert

NEW YORK, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Zucchero, the international rock star whose platinum albums have set sales records in Italy and throughout Europe and who has collaborated with artists Andrea Boccelli, Eric Clapton, the late Miles Davis and Sting, will perform on the Red Carpet during the 2007 Columbus Day Parade in New York City. The largest celebration of Italian and Italian-American heritage and culture in the world, the parade will take place on October 8 beginning at 11:45 AM.

The parade and Red Carpet performances will be broadcast on WNBC affiliates and RAI International, the Italian television network.

Zucchero was born Adelmo Fornaciari in Roncocesi, Italy, in the Province of Emilia-Romagna. His songs combine the lyrical poetry of Italy with the soul and drive of American rock.

Zucchero launched his music career in 1970 at the age of 15 and achieved international success with the release of the 1985 album "Zucchero & The Randy Jackson Band." His 1987 album "Blue's" sold 1.3 million copies, becoming the highest-selling rock album ever in Italy and included the world-wide hit "Senza una Donna" which got to number 4 in the USA Billboard chart

Throughout the 1990s, Zucchero recorded a series of albums on his own and in collaboration with other artists. In 1992, he released "Miserere," which included a title track duet with the late Luciano Pavarotti. The record went platinum and earned Zucchero the Year's Most Successful Italian Singer at the World Music Awards.

Zucchero's successes became an international cause celebre in 2004, when he released "ZU & Co.," which featured duets with a number of recording stars, including B.B. King, Sheryl Crowe , Eric Clapton, Sting and Macy Gray (the American release, Zucchero & Co,) was featured on Starbucks Hear Music Label.

In late 2006, Zucchero released "Fly," which led to a world tour that will culminate on September 28, 2007 at Carnegie Hall. Zucchero's performance on the Columbus Day Parade Red Carpet follows and is free of charge.

New York City's Columbus Day Parade is organized by the Columbus Citizens Foundation, a non-profit organization in New York City committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. The Foundation, through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities, provides opportunities for advancement to deserving students through various scholarship and grant programs. During the 2007-2008 academic year, the Foundation is supporting the education of 849 students. The Foundation has organized New York City's annual Columbus Day Parade since its inception in 1929. For more information, visit http://www.columbuscitizensfd.org/.

   Event: 63rd Annual Columbus Day Parade   Date:  Monday, October 8, 2007   Hours: 11:45 AM to approximately 3:00 PM   Start: Fifth Avenue and 44th Street   End:   Fifth Avenue and 79th Street    For additional information about the Columbus Day Parade:    Andrew Decker: T. 212.222.4688 | F. 212.222.3188 | adecker@att.net    Giuliana Ridolfi Cardillo, Italian Cultural Institute:    T. 212.879.4242 x 324, gridolfi@italcultny.org    For additional information about Zucchero:   Stewart Young and Merrie Hart, Hard to Handle Management, Inc:    T. 818 884-0333  

Source: Columbus Citizens Foundation

CONTACT: Andrew Decker, +1-212-222-4688, adecker@att.net, for the
Columbus Citizens Foundation

Web site: http://www.columbuscitizensfd.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment