Alberto Camerini reviews: the Electronic Harlequin, from metropolitan gelato to punk mohawks

The Profile

Alberto Camerini is an Italian singer and guitarist, frequently described in the reviews as the “Electronic Harlequin,” blending rock with electronics, commedia dell’arte imagery, and (at times) Brazilian/Latin rhythms. His best-known hit is “Rock ’n roll robot,” while albums like “Comici Cosmetici” and “Rockmantico” are portrayed as key statements of his surreal, carnivalesque, and synth-driven side.

From the reviews: born in São Paulo (Brazil) on May 16, 1951; associated with the Harlequin/Arlecchino persona; had a nine-year gap in releases between 1986 and 1995; participated at Sanremo in 1984 with “La bottega del caffè” and finished 16th; “Rudy e Rita” and “Rockmantico” are described as his most commercially successful albums; “Rock ’n roll robot” is cited as his enduring signature hit.

Across these reviews Camerini comes off as an Italo-Brazilian singer-guitarist obsessed with masks, clowns, electronics, and rock’n’roll attitude. Highlights include the Neurox concept on “Comici Cosmetici,” the 80s synth-pop peak of “Rockmantico,” and the massive hit “Rock ’n roll robot” from “Rudy e Rita.” Later chapters cover a polished pop turn (“Angeli in blue jeans”), a Latin-leaning comeback in 1995, and a 2000s punk makeover (“Cyberclown,” “Kids Wanna Rock”).

Notable Quotes

❝ Camerini once again proves to be a brilliant artist, maybe a bit misunderstood, certainly sweet, at times tender and 'clean', inside and out, ('Barbara ha gli occhi d'oro, Mario sta ridendo felice' -Macondo-).

❝ In the vast array of Italian singer-songwriters of past years, I prefer Alberto Camerini among many, although the term "singer-songwriter" is not suitable for him, as "Artist" is much more appropriate.

❝ Unmercifully still labeled today, for those who remember him, as crazy, frenzied, drug-addict, but above all as "the one who sang Rock'n'roll Robot," Alberto Camerini never took it to heart.

❝ The love for commedia dell'arte, for rock'n'roll, joints, electronics, and girls are at the heart of this work by Alberto Camerini from 1978, produced by Shel Shapiro right after the revolutionary punk wave that shook the country a few months earlier.