A journey between two worlds, two cultures, and a passion that defined an era. In this intense and honest autobiography, Carl Fanini - the iconic voice behind global hits like “Ride Like the Wind” (East Side Beat) and “Light My Fire” (Clubhouse) - shares his extraordinary story, from his childhood in New York to his return to Italy, and from his first club performances to the top of the international charts.
The son of Italian immigrants, Carl was born and raised in Queens, New York, immersed in the American melting pot and the soundtrack of the 1970s. In 1978, a forced return to the small Abruzzese village of Sant’Egidio alla Vibrata brought a massive culture shock - but it was there that he discovered his singing talent, almost by accident. Thanks to his friend Angelo, he entered the music world, starting with covers and experimentation before the decisive meeting that would bring him under the wing of Media Records.
The book traces the meteoric rise of East Side Beat, their triumphant tour in France, their appearances on the legendary British show “Top of the Pops,” and their entry into the UK Top 5, side by side with the likes of Nirvana and George Michael. It then follows his experience with Clubhouse, new hits, appearances on iconic Italian TV shows like Festivalbar and Non è la Rai, all the way to the challenges of the new millennium with the Music Mind project.
Beyond the triumphs, Carl Fanini does not shy away from the shadows: the instability of an artist’s life, the battle against prejudice, the difficult search for an identity split between Italy and America, and the traumatic impact of the digital revolution on the music industry.
Enriched by forewords from Mauro Picotto and Riccardo Sada, alongside an extensive reflection by Giosuè Impellizzeri on the ’90s dance phenomenon, this memoir is more than just a success story. It is a passionate reflection on what it truly means to “come home” and “find oneself” while chasing a dream through the notes of an unrepeatable era.
For anyone who lived, danced, and loved the music of the 1990s.
