Roberto Danova Explained

Roberto Danova
Birth Name:	Giacinto Bettoni
Birth Place:	Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (near Lake Maggiore), Northern Italy
Origin:	Lake Maggiore, Northern Italy
Genre:	Pop, dance, rock, electronic, funk, blues, choral, reggae, soul, instrumental
Occupation:	Composer, arranger, producer
Label:	Plaza Records London
Years Active:	1959–present

Roberto Danova (born Giacinto Bettoni; 27 August 1937) is best known as a music composer, arranger and producer, achieving record chart success - particularly in Ireland, the UK, Europe, South Africa and Australasia.

Producing, arranging and composing

During the 1970s 1980s and 1990s Danova produced, arranged, or had compositions covered by many popular performers, including Joe Dolan (with whom he made a key contribution in the mid-1970s),^{[1] [2]} Johnny Logan (whose career was overseen in the late 1970s by Danova and Louis Walsh),^[3] Mungo Jerry, Tom Jones, Demis Roussos, Engelbert Humperdinck,^[4] and Showaddywaddy,

Since the mid-1980s Danova has developed an instrumental project General Lafayette, a series of albums and singles featuring some of his own compositions through the sound of the trumpet.^{[5] [6] [7]} From 1977 to 1980, Danova released an album and singles as Roberto Montecristo.^[8]

The premiere of his musical The Phantom of the Opera on Ice, featuring a cast of Russian ice skating stars and live singers, played at various locations in the UK between 1995 and 1996. A VHS video was issued in 1999, and a CD/DVD with some modifications was released in 2006 by Plaza Records London.^{[9] [10] [11] [12]}

In 1998 he produced Credo, a musical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The concept album was featured on BBC Radio 3 in April 2001.^[13] Also the same year he guested on the Don Maclean BBC Radio 2 show.^[14]

Danova was honoured in 2012 by the Irish Country Music Association at a ceremony in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland for his outstanding contribution to Irish Popular Music.^[15]

Record labels

• Ritz Records London: 1977–1981 - Established his first production company and label in 1977.^{[16] [17]}
• Plaza Records London: 1981–present - Runs independently alongside his publishing firm Quatermass Music ^[18]
• Also associated with EMI,^[19] Pye Records and Red Bus Music (International) Ltd.^[20]

Selected discography credits

• 1972: Hideaway - Pop Tops - peaked 22 German charts^[21] - (co-music/lyrics)
• 1973: All Because of You - Geordie featuring Brian Johnson - peaked 6 UK charts^[22] - (co-producer)
• 1973: Signorina Concertina - Shuki & Aviva - peaked 3 Swiss charts^[23] - (co-writer/producer)
• 1974: Sweet Little Rock'n Roller - Jerry Williams (singer)^[24] - (co-writer)
• 1974: Lady Laura - Roberto Blanco^[25] - (co-writer)
• 1975: Lady in Blue - Joe Dolan - reported million seller ^{[26] [27] [28] [29] [30]} - (co-writer/producer)
• 1975: Crazy Woman Joe Dolan - annual French charts 1975 ^[31] - (co-writer/producer)
• 1975: Träume Weiter Lady Blue - Bata Illic ^[32] - (co-writer and producer)
• 1976: Who's That Lady With My Man - Kelly Marie - peaked 4 French charts - (co-writer/producer) ^{[33] [34]}
• 1976: When - Red Hurley - peaked 4 Irish charts ^[35] - (producer)
• 1976: Tennessee Special - Red Hurley - peaked 3 Irish charts ^[35] and 11 Netherlands charts ^[36] - (producer)
• 1976: Doktor Bernhard - Bonnie St. Claire - peaked 11 Belgian charts ^[37] - (co-writer)
• 1977: Who's That Lady With My Man - Patricia Paay - peaked 2 Netherlands charts ^[38] - (co-writer)
• 1977: Hush Hush Maria - Joe Dolan - peaked 1 South African charts ^[39] - (co-writer)
• 1978: Où En Est Ma Vie - Michel Louvain^[40] - (co-writer)
• 1979: Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller - Showaddywaddy - peaked 15 UK charts ^[41] - (co-writer)
• 1979: (Gonna Get Along) Without You Now (disco mix version) - Viola Wills^[42] - (mixer)
• 1979: In London - Johnny Logan - peaked 29 Belgian charts ^[43] - (co-writer/co-producer)
• 1981: More and More - Joe Dolan - peaked 1 Irish charts ^[35] - (producer)
• 1981: Sister Mary - Joe Dolan - peaked 2 Irish charts ^[35] - (co-writer/producer)
• 1981: Fire Queen Brian Johnson and Geordie^[44] - (producer)
• 1981: The Force - Nancy Nova^[45] - (co composed/produced)
• 1983: You Are No Angel - Tom Jones,^[46] also covered by Barbara Mandrell.^[47] - (co-writer)
• 1986: Loneliness - Brendan Shine^[48] - (writer/producer)
• 1986: You Are Temptation - Miami Showband^[49] - (composed/produced/arranged)
• 1989: I'll Never Stop Wanting You - Dickie Rock - peaked 10 Irish charts ^[35] - (producer)
• 1989: Impossible To Do - Linda Martin & General Lafayette ^[50] - (arranger/producer)
• 1990: D-Day 50th Anniversary - BBC Concert Orchestra & Central Band of the Royal Air Force^{[51] [52]} - (co-producer)
• 1990: Voices Of The Highlands - Karl Denver^[53] - (composed/co-produced/arranged)
• 1993: General Lafayette – Angel in Blue, trumpet instrumental^[54] - arranged and produced by Danova
• 1994: Nostradamus - Engelbert Humperdinck^[55] (re-mixed 2012),^[56] - (co-composer/producer)
• 1995: Sister Mary - Demis Roussos^[57] - (co-writer)
• 2006: Mr Midnight - Mungo Jerry.^[58] - (writer/producer/arranger)
• 2009: Tu Per Me - La Voce Del Nord, by Angelo Camassa - over 20 million YouTube views - (producer)
• 2010: It's Wonderful - Rock Mystery, composed by Angelo Camassa - over 25 million YouTube views - (co-writer / producer)
• 2014 'Pop Songs of the 70s, 80s, 90s, Vol. 3 Various Artists' It's Raining Richard Cocciante^[59]
• Further credits; Irish charts ^[35] Discogs,^[60] All Music,^[61] 45cat ^[62] French charts ^[63]

Film

• 1990: Undercurrents, starring Mary McGuckian - soundtrack song The Woman in Me. ^{[64] [65]} - 1987 recording produced by Danova.^[66]
• 2017: Hangman, starring Al Pacino - soundtrack song "House of the Rising Sun", Brian Johnson and Geordie^[67] - 1974 Geordie recording produced and arranged by Danova.^[68]

Television

• 2009: , featured song Doktor Bernhard, performed by Loes Luca & Hans Kesting - Doktor Bernhard co-written by Danova.^[69]

Notes and References

1. Book: Casey, Ronan. Joe Dolan: The Official Biography. 6 November 2008. Penguin UK. 9780141900407.
2. Book: Masculinity and Irish Popular Culture: Tiger's Tales. Holohan. Conn. Tracy. Tony. 20 February 2014. Springer. 9781137300249.
3. News: Golden boy, forgotten man. The Irish Times. 15 December 2017.
4. Web site: CD Single: Advent And Engelbert Humperdinck - Nostradamus 1999 (Radio Warning) (1994). 45worlds.com. 2017-12-11.
5. Web site: General Lafayette Discography - All Countries . 45cat.com. 20 December 2017.
6. Web site: General Lafayette. Discogs. 11 December 2017.
7. Web site: LADY LAFAYETTE – THE BALLAD OF ERNESTO ZACCARELLI. plazarecords.net. 2 October 2017 . 20 December 2017.
8. Web site: Roberto Montecristo discography. Discogs. 6 June 2018.
9. Web site: Tour archive for Phantom of the Opera on Ice (Ice dance show). uktw.co.uk. 12 December 2017.
10. Web site: "The Phantom of the Opera on ice" Robrto Danova. Veneria. Elena di. operaghost.ru. 11 December 2017.
11. Book: Deplidge. Vee. The phantom of the Opera on ice. 2006. Mercer. Danova. Arena. Whitfield. Leroux. Tony. Roberto. Giuseppe. Peter. Gaston. Plaza Records. 878671926. English. 11 December 2017.
12. Web site: Review: N-ice one, this Phantom. Daily Echo. 8 February 2001 . 11 December 2017.
13. News: Late Junction. 29 March 2001. The Radio Times. 11 December 2017. 4022. 132. 0033-8060.
14. News: Don Maclean. 28 June 2001. The Radio Times. 11 December 2017. 4035. 116. 0033-8060.
15. Web site: YouTube. JOE DOLAN SONGWRITER ROBERTO DANOVA RECEIVES IRISH COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD. 2 February 2012. 11 December 2017.
16. Web site: RITZ. 7tt77.co.uk. 13 December 2017.
17. Web site: Ritz Records [Irish Record Labels]]. irishrock.org. 13 December 2017.
18. Web site: Plaza Records. Plazarecords.net. 20 December 2017.
19. Web site: Red Hurley - Tennessee Special. Discogs. 8 November 1976 . 20 December 2017.
20. Web site: Joe Dolan - Lady In Blue. Discogs. 1975 . 20 December 2017.
21. Web site: Suche - Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Offiziellecharts.de. de. 11 December 2017.
22. Book: Billboard. 56. all because of you Geordie danova.. 5 May 1973. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 27 January 2018.
23. Book: Billboard. 54. Shuki .. 31 March 1973. Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
24. Web site: Sweet little rock & roller - Jerry Williams. popfakta.se. 22 December 2017.
25. Web site: Roberto Blanco - Lady Laura. Discogs. 1974 . 22 December 2017.
26. Web site: Joe Dolan - Lady In Blue. ultratop.be. 15 December 2017.
27. News: Obituary: Joe Dolan. Clayson. Alan. 6 February 2008. The Guardian. 15 December 2017. 0261-3077.
28. News: Australian Top 100 Singles. March 1, 1976. RateYourMusic. 16 December 2017.
29. Web site: Springbok Radio SA Top 20 Charts. sacharts.wordpress.com. 22 December 2017.
30. Web site: Aout 1975. chartssinglestop40france.blogspot.co.uk. 31 July 2017. 22 December 2017.
31. Web site: 1975. chartssinglestop40france.blogspot.co.uk. 22 December 2017.
32. Web site: Bata Illic - Ich hab' noch Sand in den Schuhen aus Hawaii. 45cat.com. 22 December 2017.
33. Book: Arena, James. First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers. registration. 152. Who's That Lady With My Man Kelly marie France charts.. 19 June 2013. McFarland. 9780786475810.
34. Web site: TOP Hebdo. top-france.fr. 23 December 2017.
35. Web site: The Irish Charts - All there is to know. Irishcharts.ie. 27 January 2020.
36. Web site: Red Vincent Hurley - Tennessee Special. Hung. Steffen. hitparade.ch. 11 December 2017.
37. Web site: Ultratop Singles. ultratop.be. 11 December 2017.
38. Web site: Patricia Paay. Top40.nl. nl. 11 December 2017.
39. Book: Casey, Ronan. Joe Dolan: The Official Biography. 6 November 2008. Penguin UK. 9780141900407. 27 January 2018.
40. Web site: Michel Louvain - Où En Est Ma Vie. 45cat.com. 22 December 2017.
41. Web site: sweet-little-rock-'n'-roller. . 11 December 2017.
42. Web site: Viola Wills - (Gonna Get Along) Without You Now. Discogs. 1979 . it. 22 December 2017.
43. Web site: ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS. ultratop.be. 11 December 2017.
44. Web site: Brian Johnson And Geordie - Rockin' With The Boys. 45cat.com. 11 December 2017.
45. Web site: Nancy Nova - The Force. 45cat.com. 22 December 2017.
46. Web site: You Are No Angel - Tom Jones. AllMusic. 11 December 2017.
47. Web site: Barbara Mandrell - Spun Gold. Discogs. 1983 . 11 December 2017.
48. Web site: Brendan Shine - Loneliness. 45cat.com. 22 December 2017.
49. Web site: Miami - You Are Temptation. 45cat.com. 22 December 2017.
50. Web site: Linda Martin & General Lafayette - Impossible To Do. 45cat.com. 22 December 2017.
51. Web site: The BBC Concert Orchestra & The Central Band Of The Royal Air Force - Speedbird Salutes The Few. Discogs. 1990 . 11 December 2017.
52. Web site: YouTube. Speedbird Salutes the Few (With Effects). 1 December 2014. 12 December 2017.
53. Web site: Karl Denver - Voices Of The Highlands. 45cat.com. 22 December 2017.
54. Web site: General Lafayette - Angel in Blue. Discogs. 1993 . 20 December 2017.
55. Web site: CD Single: Advent And Engelbert Humperdinck - Nostradamus 1999 (Radio Warning) (1994). 45worldsscom. 2018-02-06.
56. Web site: Danova revives NOSTRADAMUS with Eurovision Engelbert and ZGuitarz Marbella Marbella – Adelante!. marbellamarbella.es. 15 May 2012 . 2018-02-06.
57. Web site: Sister Mary - Demis Roussos Song Variations & Versions. AllMusic. 11 December 2017.
58. Web site: Mungo Jerry - Mr. Midnight. Discogs. 11 December 2017.
59. Web site: Pop Songs of the 70s, 80s, 90s, Vol. 3 by Various Artists. Music.apple.com. en-gb. 2020-01-10.
60. Web site: Discogs -"Roberto Danova". Discogs.com. 11 December 2017.
61. Web site: Roberto Danova: Credits. AllMusic. 11 December 2017.
62. Web site: danova - 45cat Search. 45cat.com. 11 December 2017.
63. Web site: Août 1976. Top-france.fr. 24 December 2017.
64. Web site: Irish Film & TV Research Online. tcd.ie. 11 December 2017.
65. Book: Rockett, Kevin. The Irish Filmography: Fiction Films, 1896-1996. 1996. Red Mountain Media. 9780952669807.
66. Web site: Solitaire (7) - The Woman In Me. Discogs. 1987 . 15 December 2017.
67. Web site: YouTube. Hangman Trailer (2017) Al Pacino Karl Urban Thriller. 18 October 2017. 11 December 2017.
68. Web site: Geordie - Goin' Down. 45cat.com. 15 December 2017.
69. Web site: 't Vrije Schaep - 2008 Original Soundtrack. Castalbums.org. 2018-02-17.