His name is Piero Angela.
Some say he's the italian David Attemborough.
I say David Attemborough is the british Piero Angela.
He's a journalist. Tv host. Science journalist. Jazz pianist.
He was born in Turin in 1928 and, it is worth noting, his father Carlo has been awarded the Medal of the "Righteous among the Nations".
Last year Piero Angela celebrated 70 years (don't know if you heard me right: 70 YEARS!!) of non-stop collaboration with italian national TV and radio broadcaster RAI. Hell, when he started working for RAI it was still a radio only broadcaster... tv didn't even exist in Italy yet.
He's been anchorman, reporter, war correspondent... but what's most famous for is QUARK.
The scientific TV program that turned the air of Bach's Orchestral Suite no. 3 in D major into "The Quark Music"! That's right. No one in Italy knows what's the air of Bach's suite n.3 in D major is, but goddammit, everyone knows the "Quark Music"!
That's because the man himself, the program and its intro are such a huge part in the life of every italian, even of those who are not interested in science. Piero Angela and his angelic intro are one of the pillars of italian modern culture!
Proof to that, another pillar of italian culture, Topolino, celebrated Angela's 90th birthday in 2018 with a story, an interview and a very cool cover! Here's to you Peter Quarky:
Why am I telling you all this?
Because Piero Angela passed away today, aged 93. But not before having written a really touching letter (like a boss!) thanking everyone who worked with him and all the common people who let him bring knowledge and science into their home with his very savoy care and kindness.
Right now for me is like loosing a very dear member of the family... you know, an odd granpa fixated with dinosaurs, planets and bacteria (I've still the complete collection of vhs he made on the dinosaurs and the one on the solar system) and I just wanted everyone to know about him, his impressive career and simply what a cool and kind person he was. A gentleman of old days.
To the stars, Piero... to the stars!
Piero Angela plays "As time goes by" in the program "Che Tempo Che Fa" in 2018.
