Umberto Tozzi is one of Italy's most prolific pop/rock singers and composers. He started his career at the age of 16 as a member of various groups around his hometown of Turin.
His most famous song that he has written is "Gloria", which became a big hit in Italy in 1979 and 1980. It gained worldwide hit status when American artist Laura Branigan took an English version to the top of the charts in 1982 where it was nominated for several Grammy awards. In 2019, "Gloria" became the unofficial anthem for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League, helping propel them on an amazing run culminating in their first Stanley Cup championship.
He teamed up with Raf to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 1987 with the song Gente di Mare, which they composed together. Considered a very strong entry, the duo finished in 3rd place overall, just making it over the 100-point plateau thanks to good scores in the last 3 rounds of voting.
| Eurovision Song Contest 1987 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Participants | |||
 Kate Gulbrandsen •  Datner & Kushnir •  Gary Lux •  Halla Margrét •  Liliane Saint-Pierre •  Lotta Engberg •  Umberto Tozzi & Raf •  Nevada •  Patricia Kraus •  Seyyal Taner & Locomotif •  Bang •  Marcha •  Plastic Bertrand •  Rikki •  Christine Minier •  Wind •  Alexia •  Vicky Rosti & Boulevard •  Anne-Cathrine Herdorf & Bandjo •  Johnny Logan •  Novi Fosili •  Carol Rich
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| Songs | |||
| Mitt liv • Shir Habatlanim • Nur noch Gefühl • Hægt og hljótt • Soldiers of Love • Boogaloo • Gente di Mare • Neste barco à vela • No estás solo • Şarkım Sevgi Üstüne • Stop • Rechtop in de wind • Amour, Amour • Only the Light • Les mots d'amour n'ont pas de dimanche • Laß die Sonne in dein Herz • Aspro Mavro • Sata salamaa • En lille melodi • Hold Me Now • Ja sam za ples • Moitié-Moitié
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