There are songs that are part of the collective memory, that are hummed spontaneously by all generations, in all latitudes. This is the case of the Caribbean, endearing and impossible to get out of your head Bongo cha cha chathat came to shake up the musical panorama in the 1960s and which is now back in fashion (as if it had never come out) with TikTok. The splendid sang it Caterina Valente, multifaceted artist and globetrotter died on September 11, 2024 at the age of 93. It was an intense life, about which very little was known…
Caterina Valente, world star with Bongo cha cha cha
Caterina Valente was a true cosmopolitan. Born in Paris in 1931 to Italian parents, holder of a German passport, public on all continents and beyond 1500 songs recorded in twelve different languages – which earned him a place in the Guinness Book of Records – and 18 million records sold worldwide. Her globetrotting temperament is the result of the love between two traveling artists, her father Giuseppe played the accordion, her mother Maria was an actress and dancer. Caterina is the only girl among three brothers, and it is with them that she takes her first steps in the world of entertainment.
After many years of nomadism, after the war, she returned to Paris and began singing in the city’s jazz clubs, accompanying herself on the guitar that she played with great skill. But he also knew how to dance and invested the stage with his histrionic attitude, like that ends up in the team of artists of the mobile circus of Grock. And it was here that she was noticed by a director of Swiss Radio, who wanted her to be the protagonist of some programs broadcast in Zurich. However, he recorded his first album in Istanbul and then promoted it in Frankfurt. He was passionate about Caribbean music, which he brought to the West with the help of local artists, and the whole world was fascinated: he enjoyed success all over the world, from Italy to the United States. In 1961, she inaugurated the new Rai 2 with the variety show Good evening Catherine.
His life remained a mystery
Everyone knows her, admires her and listens to her. Her Bongo cha cha cha It is one of the most danced songs in the world, but very little is known about Caterina Valente. A multifaceted artist with no filter in front of the cameras, she has always kept her private life very confidential. In 1952, he met and fell in love Erik Van Aroa Berlin juggler who was her husband and businessman for years. From their union was born Eric, who as an adult would follow in his mother’s footsteps into the world of music.
The divorce occurred in 1971, but the artistic collaboration continued. What happened? Nobody knows, the only certain thing is that less than a year later, Caterina remarried the British pianist Roy Budd. Three years later, their second son, Alexandre, was born. But this marriage also ended, the divorce dates back to 1980, less than ten years after the wedding. Years that the singer spent continuing to travel the world, success after success. From then on, Caterina becomes more and more shyTelevision appearances became increasingly rare and the artist preferred to devote himself to charitable works.
The last major television appearance took place to celebrate his 50-year career, with a big concert on German television seen by more than 50 million viewers around the world. Valente continues to make records, but increasingly withdraws into private life. Spending time between his apartment in the United States and the country house in Montagnola, near Luganoin Switzerland. And it was surrounded by the greenery that she loved so much that she died, after 93 years of art, passion and discoveries.