Rocky Roberts, originally christened Charles Roberts, was an extraordinary American-born Italian musician, whose remarkable vocal talents and mesmerizing on-stage charisma earned him widespread recognition and acclaim in the realm of rhythm and blues.
Born on August 23, 1940, in the quaint town of Tanner, Alabama, a significant milestone marked the arrival of an individual who would go on to leave an indelible mark on the world of music. Prior to his foray into the realm of entertainment, Roberts' early life was shaped by his service in the United States Navy, where he diligently honed his impressive boxing skills, ultimately earning the distinction of becoming a Navy champion boxer. During his tenure in the Navy, Roberts was stationed on a ship, where he was fortunate enough to be exposed to the soulful sounds of Doug Fowlkes, a country-oriented musician whose band, the Airdales, would often perform on board, captivating the hearts of all who listened.
Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1962, a pivotal moment in his life, Roberts seized the opportunity to pursue his passion for music by winning a prestigious singing competition in the charming French town of Juan-les-Pins. This serendipitous turn of events led him to remain in Europe, where he would embark on a music career that would span numerous years and varied performances.
Roberts' early years in the music industry were marked by a series of appearances at various esteemed venues, including the iconic French television show Les raisins verts, broadcast by the Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (ORTF). It was during this period that he gained moderate success with his initial renditions of the songs "T-Bird" and "Monkiss", laying the groundwork for a successful and enduring music career.
In the year 1965, Roberts received an exclusive invitation to travel to the Eternal City of Rome, courtesy of the renowned Italian entertainers Renzo Arbore and Gianni Boncompagni, who sought his musical talents to record the theme song for their popular Radio Show, Bandiera Gialla.
This iconic theme song, titled "T-Bird", went on to achieve unprecedented success in the Italian music charts, leaving a lasting impression on the music scene. Following the massive hit, Roberts made the decision to relocate to Rome, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
Roberts' subsequent triumph in Italy culminated in a massive hit in 1967 with the iconic song "Stasera Mi Butto", which achieved an astonishing sales figure of 3.7 million copies and earned the prestigious Festivalbar award.
This remarkable success also led to the creation of a 1967 motion picture of the same title, with Roberts himself taking center stage. He continued to appear in numerous other Italian films, solidifying his reputation as a cherished and revered entertainer, deeply loved by the public.
Noted American singer, songwriter, and actor, Johnny Roberts, was distinguished by his inimitable sense of style, which was characterized by his consistent preference for donning dark sunglasses throughout his professional life.
Moreover, Roberts left an indelible mark on the world of music by lending his voice to the iconic theme song of the 1966 film "Django", penned by the renowned Italian composer, Luis Bacalov.
Rocky Roberts, a renowned rhythm and blues singer, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, particularly in Italy, before his untimely demise on January 13, 2005, at the age of 64, due to complications arising from lung cancer.
