Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Alessio Bernabei (24) returns to Sanremo for the third year in a row, second time as soloist after debuting with his ex-group Dear Jack - a product from Maria De Filippi's Amici talent reality show.  Alessio, who plays guitar, piano, clarinet and bass besides singing made a living as a hairdresser and even plumber, didn't make it in X Factor beyond boot camp before he formed Dear Jack and once again: the rest is history. With them he released two albums (#1 and #2) with hits like Domani è ul altro film , La pioggia è uno stato d'animo , Ricomincio da me and their Sanremo entry Il mondo esplode tranne noi (7th). In 2015 he went solo and again in Sanremo, even against Dear Jack with a new singer. Alessio's Noi siamo infinito is 14th, Dear Jack's Mezzo respiro doesn't make the final. He then released his debut solo album with Due giganti and Io e te = la soluzione.  Neither really set the charts on fire but he has a certain teenage girls following.  ...

The vinyl albums have been making a comeback for some years now, and I read somewhere they sold globally more than in past 20 years in 2016. Mostly collector's stuff, and those who feel nostalgic for the sound. Oh, those were the days when you played your favorite albums so much they got scratched and jumped here and there and you just knew after awhile where and when and how. That made it your very own version of the song..... Anyways, recently one has seen some 45 tours, aka 7" singles reappear here and there, once again for collectors and included in special editions..... And now Sanremo is right at the top of things, hip as one could say. Sony/Warner is making an experiment with their artists in Sanremo and four entries will be released as a limited edition vinyl single, too: Paola Turci, Francesco Gabbana, Alessio Bernabei and Raige ft. Luzi. How cool is that?

The rumour is back also this year. The leading lady of the competing tv-company could join forces with Carlo Conti in Rai this year. Usually the other channels have tried to do everything to steal viewers from the festival and even Maria De Filippi has done her best by placing Amici final during the festival at times. Now, Amici. The talent show of her creation uniting a bit of Idols, X Factor and Got Talent is currently running its 16th season and over the years many artists from there have ended up in Sanremo - to the horror of purists. The fact is the whole top-3 of the last season is in Sanremo: winner Sergio Sylvestere and runner up Elodie amongst the Big, and third placed Lele amongst the Newcomers.  Previous winners Marco Carta , Valerio Scanu  and  Emma Marrone have won also the festival and quite a few others have participated. Last year Amici winner Deborah Iurato placed third, and Dear Jack , her runner ups did Sanremo already twice, and their ex-fr...

The rumour mill is adding names to the list of possible Sanremo artists to be revealed on December 12 ( read more here ). The latest names include Amici winner giant Sergio Sylvestre and the teenage sweethearts Benji & Fede , fresh Italian MTV Music awards winners and enjoying a #2 hit in Italy right now with Amore Wi-fi, following the summer success with Eres mia, and the #1 spot in the album chart with their second album 0+. If they get to Sanremo they will be dangerous in the televoting for sure.... besides attracting the young folks to watch the festival. They were already rumored last year but ended up only dueting with Alessio Bernabei.... If Sanremo, Eurovision could be an opportunity, too... Other names thrown in are Valerio Scanu, Nek, Karima, Deborah Iurato, Irene Grandi, Pierdavide Carone and another teenage favorite, namely girl group Simonetta, Greta, Verdiana and Roberta . Some whisper even a return of Fiorella Mannoia in competition! Meanwhile Jalisse, Gerad...

Alessio Bernabei, who's in risk of elimination, has also released the video for his entry Noi siamo infinito.