Caterina Caselli: A Legacy of Music and Innovation
Tonight – February 27, 2026 – Caterina Caselli returns to the spotlight with a lifetime achievement award at the Sanremo Festival. This recognition celebrates not only the singer who symbolized the 1960s and 70s but also one of the most influential figures in the Italian music industry.
While the public remembers her blonde fringe and hit songs that became part of Italian music history, for over twenty years, her voice has transformed into entrepreneurial intuition. Today, she is one of the most respected producers in the Italian record industry, capable of launching talents and creating global successes.
The Rise of a Pop Icon
It all began in 1966 with “Nessuno mi può giudicare” (Nobody Can Judge Me), initially intended for Adriano Celentano but becoming the anthem of the young Caterina Caselli. This success cemented her as a pop icon, but her true revolution came away from the microphone.
Building a Musical Empire
After marrying Piero Sugar, heir to a historic family of music publishers, Caselli gradually entered the family business. Together, they transformed CGD and then founded new record labels, ultimately creating Sugar, now one of the few Italian independent majors with an international reach.
The Ear of an Editor
Her talent? The ear of an editor. The ability to understand, by listening to a simple guitar and voice demo, the potential a song could have once produced. This is how she discovered artists destined to make their mark. Among them, Andrea Bocelli: a counter-current bet, criticized by purists but capable of conquering the world. Caselli recognized in him that “right mistake” that makes an artist unique.
The same instinct led her to believe in Elisa, accompanying her to triumph with “Luce” (Light) at the Sanremo Festival in 2001, a song outside the usual radio schemes but destined to become a classic. And even before that, she worked on innovative productions like “Gloria” by Umberto Tozzi, which became a global hit thanks to Laura Branigan’s English version. Learn more about Gloria here.
A Lasting Impact
Today, Caterina Caselli no longer sings, but she continues to profoundly impact Italian music. Her son, Filippo, now leads the company, but her gaze remains vigilant, curious, and focused on the future.
A Love Story and a Profound Loss
Caterina Caselli’s public career is intertwined with a love story spanning over fifty years. She met her husband, Piero Sugar, shortly after her first major success and married in 1970. This personal and professional partnership built an important piece of Italian discography. Piero Sugar’s death in 2022 was a devastating blow. He was a central figure in music publishing and had led the family business with an international vision.
Caterina Caselli’s story demonstrates that talent can transform, evolve, and reinvent itself. From a rebellious interpreter of the 1960s to an entrepreneur capable of creating global stars, her journey is unique in the Italian landscape.
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