Rocco Granata

Rocco Granata, born on August 16, 1938, in Figline Vegliaturo, Calabria, is an Italian-Belgian singer, songwriter, and accordionist. At the age of ten, his family immigrated to Belgium, where his father worked as a coal miner. However, Rocco chose to pursue a career in music, showcasing his talent as an accordionist and performing with his band, 'The International Quintet'.

In 1959, Granata released the single 'Manuela' / 'Marina', with the latter becoming an international sensation. 'Marina' reached the number one spot in Belgium and Germany, and it charted across Europe and the United States, selling over one million copies in Germany alone. This success earned him a gold disc and led to numerous covers by renowned artists such as Willy Alberti and Louis Armstrong.

Following the triumph of 'Marina', Granata embarked on a global tour, including a memorable performance at Carnegie Hall. His popularity soared, leading to the release of a feature film titled 'Marina' in 1960 and appearances at the prestigious Sanremo Festival in 1961. In addition to his singing career, he became a successful record producer, founding Cardinal Records and Granata Records, and producing for various artists.

In 1989, Granata revitalized his classic hit 'Marina' with a dance remix that topped charts in Belgium, Italy, France, and Germany. He has been a familiar face on Belgian television and served as a jury member for the 2002 Flemish preliminaries for the Eurovision Song Contest. His contributions to music were recognized in March 2000 when he received the ZAMU Lifetime Achievement Award from the Belgian music industry.

Throughout his illustrious career, Granata has released approximately sixty-five singles. His early life and journey in music were later depicted in the 2013 film 'Marina', further solidifying his legacy in the music world.