Pippo Baudo last graced the Ariston stage on February 7, 2018. Voice trembling with emotion and a white silk rose pinned to his tuxedo, the iconic host delivered a love letter to Sanremo, recounting his thirteen-festival tenure—an unparalleled record in Italian television history.
“*I invented the Sanremo format*,” proclaimed “Superpippo,” who shaped the five-night event and cemented its legendary jingle “*Perché Sanremo è Sanremo*” (Because Sanremo is Sanremo), composed by Pippo Caruso and Sergio Bardotti. His 1968 debut at the Casino Theatre featured Louis Armstrong. “I had to eject him,” Baudo recalled. The jazz legend, competing with “*Mi va di cantare*” (I Feel Like Singing), was persuaded to perform an impromptu show. As Armstrong launched into “*O When The Saints Go Marchin’ In*” with the full orchestra standing, rookie host Baudo, 31, faced a dilemma. Urged by festival patron Gianni Ravera, he rushed onstage waving a white handkerchief during a pause. Mistaking it for a sweat towel, Armstrong was stunned when Baudo tapped his shoulder, declaring “Please, Mister Satchmo,” and deftly removed the trumpet from his hands.
Baudo’s stage launched countless talents: Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Giorgia, and Eros Ramazzotti. His editions delivered unbeaten ratings (peaking at 74% audience share with 17 million viewers) and comedy gold with Fiorello, Roberto Benigni, and the trio Solenghi-Marchesini-Lopez. Global superstars—from Madonna and Sharon Stone (whom he kissed) to Queen, Duran Duran, and Whitney Houston (with her legendary encore)—lit up the Ariston.
In 1994, Baudo doubled as host and artistic director—meticulous, interventionist, even suggesting lyrical edits. He advised newcomer Giorgia on “*E Poi*”; she’d win the next year with “*Come Saprei*.” 1995 also introduced the blonde-brunette duo Anna Falchi and Claudia Koll, challenging the “showgirl” stereotype to claim co-host status. That year spawned another legendary anecdote: Elton John, expected at the Ariston after flying from London to Nice, stalled over unpaid fees. Unfazed, Baudo deployed Falchi and Koll with a giant cake during “*Crocodile Rock*.” “This cake celebrates 25 years of artistry,” he announced. “Since we’d planned this tribute, we’re more gentlemanly than an English gentleman!” Blowing out candles with his co-hosts, he wished the absent star “artistic longevity—and punctuality.”
Beyond diva demands, Baudo navigated Sanremo’s volatile blend of music, flowers, scandals, and politics. His legacy includes historic moments: In 1984, he invited laid-off Italsider steelworkers protesting outside onto the stage. In 1995, he personally talked down unemployed worker Pino Pagano, who threatened to jump live on Rai1 from the Ariston balcony. Critics alleged staging, but Pagano later wrote: “Forgive me, Pippo, I was badly advised,” revealing illness had warped his perspective. Baudo also ejected serial heckler Mario Appignani (“Crazy Horse”), who stormed the stage in 1992 screaming “rigged!” to favor Fausto Leali—though Luca Barbarossa won.
Among his most poignant moments: announcing tenor Claudio Villa’s death during the 1987 finale, requesting “one last applause” for the 61-year-old “king” of Italian song.
“His Baudity”—as comedian Piero Chiambretti dubbed him after co-hosting Baudo’s 2008 finale—is gone. But his mark endures. As Carlo Conti noted closing the latest festival: “This is a *Baudian* festival—a magnificent sung mass, a collective ritual. Pippo Baudo taught us how to do it.”
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