Disco to Disco
Giovanni Giorgio Moroder was born on April 26, 1940, in Ortisei in South Tyrol, Italy as Hansjörg Moroder. South Tyrol or Trentino-Alto Adige is a province in northeast Italy where two beautiful traditions collide, Mediterranean and Alpine.
He grew up in a mixed German, Italian and Ladin-speaking environment so it’s no surprise that he excels in languages. Giorgio spent his early years in music playing base and guitar in pop-oriented groups and touring in Europe. Moving to Berlin in 1960s marks his first steps towards a solo music career. His first two singles were released in the late 60s under the name “Giorgio”.
Discography
Why is Giorgio Moroder so popular and respected in the music world? He’s a record producer, songwriter and a DJ. Not to mention a four-time Grammy Award winner and three-time Academy Award winner. Are you familiar with the term Italo disco? We don’t have to anymore. His collaboration with Donna Summer in the early 70s was so genuine and produced some of the greatest disco hits and mixes like Lady of the Night and Love to Love You Baby. In 1979 he won his first Oscar for Best Original Music Song for Midnight Express.
In the early 80s, Giorgio definitely focused on composing music for the film. One of the first hits he made was the American Gigolo soundtrack, which featured Blondie’s “Call Me”. Next came the Scarface soundtrack “Rush Rush” featuring Debbie Harry, and subsequently “Flashdance… What a Feeling” that earned a platinum record, the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. In 1986, the love theme “Take My Breath Away” from Top Gun earned him another Oscar for Best Original Song. Collaboration with Human League’s Philip Oakey, Eurythmics, Freddie Mercury, Bonnie Tyler was natural in the following years.
In the 21st century, he made an appearance with Daft Punk on their album Random Access Memories. His fame soon boomeranged and got him on stage with Kylie Minogue, Sia, Britney Spears, Mikky Ekko and Charli XCX.
Deep respect Georgio. Long live.
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