If there is an artist who represented the rock lifestyle in Italy, that is Patty Pravo. She managed to travel, evolve, experiment, meet great musicians as if it were the most normal thing in the world. And probably it was for her. It was Sex Symbol, Scandal Stone, songwriting artist and author interpreter. In short, one who has never stopped. Capable of switching from refined records like Ideograms to popular TV programs such as Now or never.
A few days ago it has come out I tried everythingnew surprising single, written by Francesco Bianconi and produced by Taketo Gohara, which is at the same time a punctual portrait of the diva and a potential hit.
Let's start immediately with the LSD mentioned in the piece. There are drugs that you have not tried, though …
At that time there was regular rods, right? I didn't want to try cocaine and heroin.
Why?
I didn't care and I don't like people who use them.
Canti that you have been able to live without ever boring yourself. Really?
Boredom, thanks to heaven, is not part of my feelings. So yes, fortunately I never bores myself. And I have to say one thing.
Please.
This text, which wrote Francesco Bianconi having never known us, is a fabulous portrait. It is as if he had always known me.
The first thing you thought when you listened to it and read the verses?
That Bianconi was a genius.
With Bianconi I imagine you will have felt.
Certain.
What have you said?
I had seen interviews with him in which he talked about me: he was surprised because what he came out of his mouth I could have safely said, I found myself. So I thanked him for those interventions and, of course, for this piece.
Let's go back to boredom. What bores you today?
I read, I do the things I like, when I am leaving, boredom is not really part of my being.
In another verses singing “I tried the taste of the executioner”. On what occasion?
I don't know, you have to ask Francesco, but surely sometimes I will also be (laughs).
You also sing that you invented rock. But then admit that, perhaps, you didn't exactly invent that.
I think I was a singer of a certain level who, from '65 onwards, has made albums of the caliber of Biafra Record and other records, written by me, such as Beyond the Eden… in the live I was very rock, I had incredible artists by my side, not Italian, at that time. I have always lived with musicians.
How does this rock attitude of yours marry with songs, in some cases, nationalpopolar?
Yes, but they were also great interpretations. I turned into a more adult person who could be my grandmother too. I am interpreter, I don't look at the things I do.
Ah no?
I do them because I like them, they are part of my being and I love to experiment.
Among your big hits there is any of them that you regretted?
No, because I was a girl, all in all. And then I had fun doing them: you can't spit on something, if you had fun (laughs).
In the text of I tried everything reference is also made to the weight of the world to be endured.
It seems to me that, looking around, reading the news, it is not a light thing for everyone. There is a heaviness around … the world is very dangerous and these things are perceived … it is not a happy world today.
As an artist how do you live this thing?
Singing. Keeping me busy: I made a photographic book, music research in America, the success of Threat blonde tour. When I work I focus on what I do.
In the new song he speaks of Jimi Hendrix and on Courier You told an episode in which you were in the car with him …
Yes, but there they wrote that the car was full of hashish.
Isn't that so?
A barrel was doing it, but it is one thing to say that he had the machine full of hashish, another thing is to make a joint. I haven't changed profession yet (laughs).
What else can you tell me about Hendrix?
I got to know him better in London, a short time before he died. I must say that we have lost a great artist. When I attended it he wanted to set up a project for large orchestras. Think what could have done, think what we got lost …
Hendrix told you something that has been impressed on you, a thought?
Well, there was talk of the most and less, of music, of his projects. Nothing particular.
In the project for large orchestras he had involved you?
Let's hope! No, no, it was his project. Then it ended as we know.
Let's go back to the text of the song: it is written that you have torn many hearts. Also of Hendrix?
But no, small. Well, but yes, among friends … hearts are snatched even between friendly people. But to tear hearts I mean how to hurt it right?
Well, it can also have this meaning, yes.
Here, I never hurt.
Other great, in addition to Jimi Hendrix, what do you remember with pleasure?
Robert Plant, the Led Zeppelin singer, sent me tobacco to Los Angeles.
Tell a little …
I was doing an album with Paul Martinez and you saw yourself with plant. He according to Birmingham, sent me tobacco. Well once he gave me a white one. I happened to go to dinner in a restaurant in Los Angeles, I pulled this white tobacco and the people around me looked at me strange: they thought it was something else (laughs).
You also sing that you have wasted tears. For whom?
I will have cried sooner or later, sometimes. It doesn't come to mind. I am not a person who often cries. It is easier for me to sing and move.
What are you moved for?
When intono Over time by Léo Ferré o Don't go away by Jacques Brel. There were beautiful filming where I really cry.
Since in the piece we also talk about taboos: what is what you are most proud to have broken?
You know, I lived. They are the others who saw which taboos I broke. I only did what I felt, since I was 15 years old and maybe even before.
Don't watch much TV, but you participated in Now or never.
I had done the first edition and had fun a lot. I must say that it was very pleasant and then I was with my musicians like Raf, Britti, Masini. And there was Rita Pavone that I totally love.
Ah yes?
He is an artist and must be respected and loved.
Instead, among the new levers, among the competitors of Sanremo, in addition to Lucio Corsi who considers artist?
We needed people like courses, but apart from him I really appreciated the song Young unconscious by Achille Lauro. I keep an eye on it. With the two of them, Corsi and Lauro, I would like to duet. Otherwise I would like to work with Fossati.
Among the women, instead?
Serena Brancale sent me a very nice piece. He writes really well and I find it has a nice energy.
But the branches sent you a piece for Sanremo, that is, you wanted to participate in the Festival?
No, no, I just didn't think about it, look. Let's think for next year. We will see… (laughs).
Photo: Giulio Cafasso
I tried everything It is the first piece of an album, I guess.
Of course, there will be surprises later.
Will it be a disc entirely with Bianconi's songs?
No, no, it is a project where there are some pieces and new things. But now I can't talk about it.
Not even an anticipation?
I cannot anticipate you nullaaaaa (laughs). They really forbidden me to speak.
I just have to return to the new single and ask you who imagines are the archangels and reptiles in the sun.
They are today's guys. They need energy to live in this world.
You look like a woman in one piece, it seems she cannot scratch anything. There will be something that hurt you …
Honey, I should go back in time, to think about what it was … I always look forward.
And how do you see the patty of the future?
I would like to surprise myself, every now and then (laughs).
If I met the Piper Patty, what would you tell you?
What a tenderness, I was a girl. And I enjoy it as a beast, my honey. I would like to go back in time to relive it, that period.
What do you lack that time?
Happiness, smile, research, freedom.
Are we not free today?
We think we are.
But aren't we?
I guess no.
You have a house in San Francisco. Do you come back to America?
I was a short time ago to do some musical research. Now America has changed a bit.
In what?
On the street you can see people destroyed by drugs and lack of money. You see more than from us.
Instead, in your newspaper, are there people you think friends?
Let's hope. I have two, but going on with age people are lost, you are missing. Friends at certain levels are not found. My assistant, for example, is like a son. Indeed, a son no, because I would deal with it very badly (laughs). Then there is a friend that I have known for years with which it is pleasant to spend time together, we know each other so well.
When they call you an icon what do you think?
To me this word makes me laugh so much.
Reason?
On the one hand I am pleased, on the other I don't understand.
According to M, you have always been icon.
Since I was a child, love. This is born like this, there is little to do: they are gifts.
Other gifts?
I think I am a respectable, nice, good person.
Last question: will you be on tour in the summer?
Of course, of course. Otherwise I shoot myself.
