Massimo Ranieri is an Italian singer, actor, television presenter and theatre director.
Ranieri in 2009
Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest
Italy has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 48 times since making its debut as one of only seven countries to compete at the first contest in 1956, which took inspiration from the Sanremo Music Festival. Italy competed at the contest without interruption until 1980, discontinuing its participation on a number of occasions during the 1980s and 1990s. After a 13-year absence starting in 1998, the country returned to the contest in 2011. Italy has won the contest three times, along with an additional 16 top-five finishes. Italy hosted the contest in Naples (1965), Rome (1991) and Turin (2022).
Bobby Solo in Naples (1965)
Gianni Morandi in Amsterdam (1970)
Raphael Gualazzi in Düsseldorf (2011)
Marco Mengoni in Malmö (2013)