What happened to Nek, the Italian singer who became famous singing ‘Laura is not there’?

It was 1997 when a song kidnapped the identity of thousands of Lauras around the world. And even today there is a generation that hums “Laura is not here, Laura is gone / Laura is escaping my life” every time you hear that name.

That theme of Nek —Laura non c’è, in Italian—unceremoniously conquered Italy since it was presented at the San Remo festival. And although he did not win—he experienced a phenomenon similar to Nightlight of Vicco—, became a global success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries in Europe and Latin America.

In addition to the catchy nature of the song, the deep and raspy voice of the Italian and his intense blue gaze They delighted many and made him one of the fashionable singers of those years. He conquered the charts again with Only you next to Laura Pausini; at least now; For you serious either See you on the way, in collaboration with El Sueño de Morfeo, which confirmed him as a European pop star. But its effect was diluted in Spain.

San Remo, his favorite setting

When Nek presented his great success in San Remo in 1997, it was not the first time he had stepped on the stage of that festival. Nor would it be the last. At only 21 years old, in 1993, she debuted in the contest that produced the Italian song that would later go to Eurovision and which is a launching pad for numerous artists, including Laura Pausini. She did it with the song In youwhose lyrics were the subject of some controversy because talked about abortion.

He repeated the experience—for the third time—in 2015, 18 years after the premiere of Laura is not here. Your song Fatti avanti amore She was the second classified in the contest, and also received the award for Best Interpretation of a Version for the song If you are phoningby the legendary singer Mina and the Best Orchestral Arrangement for Fatti avanti amore.

That wasn’t his last time in Sanremo either. This same year he did it again and he didn’t show up alone. In February she formed a duo with the singer Francesco Rengaanother of the classic voices in Italy, with whom he has decided to start a new professional stage and with whom he performed the song Pazzo di te. They came in 25th place.

Your new musical project

On September 8, 2023, the two famous singers materialized the project they had been working on for some time and released the album RENGANEKwith which they also celebrated Nek’s 30 years of career and Renga’s 40 years.

With the release of the album they began a tour with which they will travel throughout Italy until the month of August and with which they have sold out tickets in several cities, including the Arena stadium in Verona.

Your family and faith

In addition to his musical project, Nek dedicates his time to promoting and collaborating with various charitable causes and, above all, his family.

Married since September 2006 with Patrizia Vacondiohis former assistant, have a daughter who was born in September 2010. He dedicates numerous displays of affection to both his wife and his little girl on his networks.

But their peaceful and happy daily life was interrupted in 2020 by an accident that turned his life upside down and for which he almost lost his hand.

That fear of not being able to pick up his guitar again or of not being able to make music led him to write a book, A mani mani (With bare hands).

“Sometimes a single moment can change everything. A sunny day is enough (…) to work with wood. The accident is sudden. The blood, then the pain, the fear, the shock. The race to the hospital. The broken hand. The possibility of not recovering its use. But what does it mean to lose the functionality of a hand for a musician? “Writes the singer on his pages.

A difficult moment that he overcame, to a large extent, due to his faith and his devotion to the Catholic religion.