Norberto Aníbal Napolitanopopularly known in the world of music as “Pappo”, was born on March 10, 1950 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Unfortunately, Pappo’s life was truncated on February 25, 2005When he died in a tragic motorcycle accident, he was 54 years old.
On February 3 of that same year, within the framework of the Cosquín Rockgave a show that turned out to be historical. That remembered 2005 night the carpo invited the stage to Charly Garciawith whom he had a particular relationship throughout his career.
Pappo had criticized the music of Sui generis and on other occasions he had disdained Charly’s genius always putting over Luis Alberto Spinetta.
“I will invite a friend, who will touch the piano on this subject. A very famous friend, Charly García … “In this way, Pappo presented Charly in what was a way to close the crack between them. That night they played together “distrust”, the version of “Popotitos” that popularized Serú Girán and the closure was with “dirty and unproof”, Pappo’s Blues classic. The formation of Pappo’s Blues That night was with Don Vilanova (guitar), Yulie Ruth (low), “Bag” González (battery), Luis Robinson (harmonica) and Nico Raffetta (keyboards).
“I will never believe that Pappo did not understand my music, as he said,” Charly explained to Beto Casella in an interview after Neapolitan. And he remembered that time they agreed on Cosquín Rock: “A few days before he kill himself, poor, he invited me to play at the festival … He turned around to invite me, sent a thousand messengers, what do I know. In the end, I play with him. And when I’m leaving, he tells me: ‘Thank you, Garcia’”
Pappo’s history and legacy
From a young age, Pappo showed an innate interest in music. His career began in the 1960s, when he was part of various emerging bands of the Argentine rock scene: The grandparents out of nowhere, Gear, Carlos Bisso and his connection No. 5 and a summer tour with Manal. However, it reached greater notoriety when integrating into The cats In 1969, one of the first rock bands in Spanish. With them, recorded the album “Beat No. 1” and “Rock of Lost Women”where he showed his talent as a guitarist.
In 1970, Pappo decided to form his own band, Pappo’s Blues, with which he managed to consolidate himself as a referent of blues and rock in Argentina. The band released a series of albums that became Argentine rock classics, such as “Pappo’s Blues Volume 1”, “Volume 2” and “Volume 3”. Topics like “The old man” and “Where is freedom” They became national rock hymns and show Pappo’s ability to combine the crudeness of blues with rock energy.
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After dissolving Pappo’s Blues (although he would always be returning), Pappo with Manal’s ex -basement, Alejandro Medina They decided to put together a new team, and traveled to Brazil in search of a drummer according to their claims. In the search they found Rolando Castello Junior To form the trio Aeroblus In early 1977. The band, fleeting duration, managed to edit only a homonymous album that over time gained popularity and significantly influenced the Argentine hard rock and heavy metal.
Pappo’s versatility as a musician also manifested himself in his foray into the 1980s. He founded the band Riffwith which he explored heavier and dark sounds, but always maintained his essence of virtuous guitarist. Songs like “The Lady of Lake” and “Susy Cadillac” They demonstrated their ability to adapt to different styles and remain relevant in the music scene.
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Throughout his career, Pappo collaborated with numerous musicians and bands, both in Argentina and abroad. BB Kingwith whom he played on more than one occasion, he considered it as one of the best guitarists of all time
With the album “Pappo & Friends” (A kind of great tribute in life) of the year 2000 La Renga, Almafuerte, the Mississippi, Locas Viejas, dividedand artists like Moris, Andrés Calamaro, Ricardo Iorio, Adrián Otero, Andrés Ciro, Alejandro Medina, Omar Mollo, Vicenticoamong others.
His latest album “Looking for a love“He has great songs such as:” Rock and roll and fever “,” Together together “and” She is an angel. “The album’s cover includes the great dead guitarists Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Jimi Hendrixwho appear sitting at a table, with angels playing poker with Pappo.
Undoubtedly, his unmistakable style, his passion for music and his dedication to his art made him an icon that transcends generations. 20 years after his death It is impossible not to think that somewhere in the country there is no rock band playing a song composed of Pappo.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
