In Italy, the 1970s were turbulent and complicated years: a time of change, revolution, and violence. Italian society was reshaping itself. Catholic Italy was discovering rebellion, and long-held beliefs were being questioned.
In those years, on the outskirts of Rome, a restless and daring young man would sneak out of his house dressed in ordinary clothes, then change in the entryway of some nearby building. Once transformed, he would roam the city wearing feathers, heavy makeup, bright colors, and outfits that were undeniably provocative for the conventions of that era.
He was often beaten, insulted, and sometimes even arrested. His father was a police officer, and you can imagine the shock the first time he saw his son brought into the station – bloodied, dressed like David Bowie or another rebellious singer, openly and proudly challenging norms, clearly signaling his gay identity.
That young man was Renato Fiacchini. Since everyone called him “a zero,” he turned the insult into his stage name: Renato Zero. It was the beginning of an Italian musical icon, who today turns 75.
His fans number in the millions, and he gave them a name that stuck in history: he called them sorcini. In the 1980s, after one of his concerts, his car was surrounded by a swarm of scooters carrying wild, devoted fans. Looking at them from above, he affectionately described them as little “sorci” – the Roman slang word for mice. From that moment on, his fans proudly carried that nickname.
Renato Zero has long stood out for his eccentric persona, theatrical flair, and deeply personal songwriting. Over a career that’s spanned more than five decades, he’s released more than 40 records and written circa 450 songs – each a window into the lives of outsiders, the invisible, the misfits. His music often explores themes of love, suffering, alienation, hope.
Zero’s catalog boasts many hits beloved across generations. In “Il cielo,” he grappled with human fragility faced with vastness. In “Triangolo,” he wove ambiguous, daring narratives. “Mi vendo” remains enigmatic – a song open to multiple interpretations. “Il carrozzone” evokes life’s journey as a traveling show, with all its characters and sorrows. His later works – “La pace sia con te,” “Tutti gli zeri del mondo,” “Chiedi di me” – shift between calls for peace, vulnerability, and authenticity.
Renato Zero’s concerts are immersive events. He doesn’t just sing – he performs. Costumes, theater, emotion: his live shows serve as communal celebrations where fans sing, dance, and feel seen. Throughout his career, he has pushed the boundaries of spectacle while giving voice to those often ignored.
He has always insisted on refusing to age into irrelevance. Long ago he claimed he’d dress like a marionette if needed – to never become rigid, predictable, or lifeless. That creative restlessness has kept him vital.
As he steps into his 75th year, Zero isn’t looking back – he’s evolving. He plans to take his new album “Orazero” across Italy with 23 concert dates scheduled between January and April. Once again he’s defying labels: he rejects being boxed by genre or trend, insisting that art must come from a place of purpose, not follower counts.
Critics and fans alike see him as timeless. He has survived eras, outlasted fads, and continues to matter. His music resonates with young people as much as those who grew up with him – a sign that his art transcends generations.
His voice, once startling, remains potent. His lyrics, once provocative, still carry weight. His presence – always dramatic, always present – remains unforgettable.
He’s not just celebrating a birthday. He’s reaffirming a legacy. Renato Zero at 75 isn’t fading – he’s still creating, still daring, still insisting on connection. Anyone in Italy over the past 50 years who has fought to claim their sexual, cultural, or social identity owes a debt of gratitude to Renato Zero – who broke down barriers and shattered conventions with courage and audacity, passion and talent, and an endless love for life. In his own way, Renato Zero is an Italian hero.
