With the Amalfi coast in his heart and Neapolitan music in the strings of his guitar, Eddie Oliva has conquered the world with his talent. A talent engraved in his DNA as he was born into a family of artists and musicians. Eddie in his life has overcome several challenges: first of all that of leaving his homeland to get to know the world and bring his music, that of the heart, far and wide.
Eddie Oliva minstrel of Neapolitan music
London, Canada, America, South America, Sweden and of course Italy. These are just some of the countries that have been fascinated by Eddie Oliva's music and his performances. Eddie Oliva stopped at nothing to make his dream come true. Which? That of jars the world and to make known its music, Italian music, Neapolitan music. So slowly his crystalline talent got the better of him and in the space of a few years he transformed a young Amalfi player into one of the greatest interpreters of Neapolitan music.
At the same time, his career as a songwriter has also matured and grown. It is no coincidence that some of his most famous songs have also been appreciated by illustrious personalities from the world panorama not only of music. Right now his home is Sweden but he keeps intact his relations with Italy and his beloved Amalfi coast.
He grew up, so to speak, on bread and music in one of the most fascinating corners of our Italy. What do you remember of your childhood and adolescence spent on the Amalfi coast?
I was born in Scala on the Amalfi Coast, after 6 months my Anna and Giovanni moved to Atrani, 300 meters from Amalfi. My adolescence with bread and music was beautiful. My a little advanced in years (dad was 57 and mom 48) when I was born they were shining with me. Papa played the trumpet and had participated in the First World War, my mother had a beautiful voice and we sang always. I have 6 brothers and 4 sisters and they all sang even if they dedicated themselves to catering.
You were born and raised in a corner of Heaven where everyone in the world would like to live. Music, on the other hand, gave her wings and made her soar beyond national borders. How was the separation from the homeland?
The detachment from the Amalfi Coast occurred after I graduated as a business expert I wanted to see the world and the Beatles were fatal for my work as an artist. I was happy to take off.
America, Canada, England and Sweden in chronological order, ambassador of Neapolitan music in the world. Could you tell us about the differences between these nations and similar aspects and how has it been received?
First stop London, where I lived for a few months and played in a beautiful restaurant in Leicester Square. With nice people who filled the restaurant every night. After that I returned to Amalfi and created the I Love Men group. Starting to work on a cruise ship that cruised the Mediterranean and with tourists from all over the world. Here the meeting with Eva, a beautiful Swede, was fatal, and after 6 months I moved to Stockholm. I started out as a minstrel in trendy Italian restaurants, and was discovered here by producer Olle Bergman. In 1975 I recorded the first album. I have made success with a lot of television and also with trips to Canada and South America, also participating in important television programs there. There are no big differences because music is a universal language and everyone especially loves Italian music.
Thanks to his talent and Neapolitan music he conquered the world. What are the songs you are most attached to and why?
I am a songwriter and my favorite songs are "Vagabondo Italiano" 1975, which reached third place in the Swedish hit parade and then "Vara Vänner" 1980 which consecrated me and won first place with this original song, always mine, was called " it's love".
Neapolitan music that also served to meet illustrious personalities of the world music scene, right?
Clearly the eternal Neapolitan music has always accompanied me and over the years I sang for Luciano Pavarotti in 1992, and Luciano complimented him saying that song Neapolitan had never been so well sung. Luciano was a splendid person. I sang for the Royals of Sweden on many occasions and made King Gustavo sing "O sole mio" with me. With Roger Moore I sang “That´s amore” and then for Pope Francis on Rai 1 I sang a song of mine inspired by his words Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope.
Beyond Neapolitan music, she also has a large repertoire of songs written in the first person. Where do you draw inspiration for your works from?
The sources of inspiration are ancient Neapolitan music and greats such as Beatles, Stevie Wonder and current events with everything that happens in the world.
Some of these have also been dedicated to the current coronavirus health emergency, right?
Two weeks ago I wrote "I'm staying at home" to entice people not to go out.
How are you experiencing the current situation linked to covid 19? How is the situation in Sweden?
Sweden has implemented more than a restriction policy, a recommendation policy. Theaters and cinemas have been closed but restaurants and schools up to high school are open and practically free to go out and observe the distance. So far 2.600 have died from the virus, mostly elderly people and with other diseases. Let us hope the situation will not get worse and let us hope that the whole world can return to normal life.
I would also like to underline your social commitment. Undertaken through his music and aimed at one of the weakest sections of society. This really does her credit
I am involved in social work and have done many concerts to help build schools in South America. This autumn a school will be built that will bear my name. I often sing in the hospices to greet my old fans and lately I did a concert in a courtyard with all the old men looking out on the balconies directly broadcast on the radio. The virus period had just begun.
Its long-distance relationship with the Amalfi coast and Italy. How do you see us from afar?
The Amalfi Coast is always with me, in the sense that almost daily I contact my 5 brothers who are still alive and friends. For three weeks I have been streaming live on Facebook from my home (every Friday evening), so I reach thousands of friends in Italy and around the world.
Has Italian music generally come out of the stereotypes that until a few years ago were linked in a double way to our artists?
Italian music like world music is no longer based on a beautiful melody. It has changed a lot over the years but I can confidently say that it will not be remembered over the years as yesterday and especially Neapolitan music which will be eternal.
When you perform, which are the songs that have the greatest demand and success both from the international audience and from the Italian-born one?
"Fly", "O Sole Mio" the most requested
Your next engagements and recording projects?
Covid-19 has blown all the commitments for 2020. I just came out with a CD called "Hello" and I have postponed the release for better times. This stop means that we can rearrange ideas and maybe take care of our world, our life, family, friends in a better way.
Eddie Oliva when his concert in Italy maybe in his beloved Amalfi coast?
During the FB streaming, I promised to my Amalfi friends, to do a concert in the square in Amalfi in August. We hope it can be done. It will be the envy because over the years I have always sung in the most beautiful place in the world.
