Gabry Ponte: «I asked the public to turn off their cell phones. The hardest period? Heart surgery”

An unmistakable pop style and an unstoppable work machine. Gabry Ponte is one of the most listened to Italian artists in the world on Spotify with 3 diamond albums, 44 platinum albums and 24 gold albums. «Music is alchemy. Every time I try to improve myself and bring new things. The public is the greatest judge we have”, the DJ tells us in his new production studio in Milan. In 1998, with the Eiffel 65, he achieved success with Blue a song, which still today, between sampling and nostalgia effect, climbs the charts. You celebrated 25 years of career with a sold out show at the Forum in Assago.

How are you feeling right now?
«Very good, it was difficult because, especially at the time, achieving certification was slower, records or CDs were sold, whereas now with streaming it’s easier. A little while ago too Thundera song from 2021, has become a diamond record and it is an enormous satisfaction, it is the culmination of a great and hard work.”

How it was born Blue?
«In a basement. At the time we attended a studio in Turin, whose owner was Massimo Gabutti, who was looking for young people, including DJs, musicians and singers, and we collaborated together. I was struck by a melody that some kids were working on and I immediately asked if I could follow them. I had some precise ideas. I took inspiration from the vocal effect used by Cher in Believe (1998). I couldn’t, in any way, simulate that sound, I bought a vocoder to try to emulate it, but the result wasn’t the same. They told me that Cher had used autotune and not the vocoder, taken by the novelty I continued to use the latter tool. Following an idea that I liked, I created an innovative sound. Blue was born like this, in a very natural way.”

It was also the soundtrack to Iron Man3.
«I’ll tell you an anecdote. That day I arrived late at the theater and missed the opening scene with my song ( laughs ), so I had to go back to the cinema a second time to see it again. It was a very strong emotion: Blue managed to make the generational leap and become “a classic””.

«WHEN SOMEONE TAKES A PIECE OF ME
AND IT DOES SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, I’M HAPPY.
I AM COMPETITIVE, BUT ONLY WITH MYSELF”

The latest version, among many, is that of David Guetta.
«He brought Blue back to the top of the world charts and introduced her to many young people. When someone else takes a piece of mine and makes something beautiful out of it I’m happy. It is an honor and a pride.”

Is it competitive?
«Yes, very much, but with myself. I always try to improve. I get a lot of motivation from what others do, especially when I see someone achieving important results. I have never felt in competition with another colleague of mine.”

The Eiffel 65 have climbed the charts to become international stars. And now she is one of the most listened to Italian artists in the world on Spotify.
«It’s crazy to think about it. You didn’t have this perception at the time. You woke up in the morning, you got a phone call from your manager telling you that the record was going well, but today, thanks to the internet, you have a direct feeling with what’s happening. We realized the success once we arrived in America. What makes me smile, seeing the ranking today, is that among the most listened to Italian artists abroad there are Måneskin, Meduza and then there is Antonio Vivaldi. If I had told my high school teacher he would never have believed me.”

Over the years it has become a point of reference for many generations. Today’s young people know all his songs by heart.
«I always give this example: when I was little my dad was a big fan of Fabrizio De André. He was an absolutely non-contemporary artist for my peers, but I learned to know him. When I wrote Blue, the kids who went dancing in those years were more or less my age. Today it’s nice to see parents bringing their children to my concerts.”

Which audience is it aimed at?
«Music is a strange alchemy. If there was a precise formula we would all be number one in the rankings. I try not to think and do what I like, hoping others like it too. The public’s reaction gives you a different point of view and can lead you towards other paths.”

Twenty-five years of career celebrated at the Mediolanum Forum in Assago, Milan, did you imagine it?
“Absolutely not. When I started DJing everything was different. The console was not in the center of a stadium or a venue, but in a dark corner where no one could see you. Now DJs have become real performers. The success of the Forum was incredible, we sold out in just under two months.”

On the notes of Voglia di Dance All Night he asked the audience to put their phones away and enjoy the show.
«I am neither for nor against the use of telephones. Everyone lives their live as they prefer. When I go on stage, however, and see an expanse of smartphones filming, I’m amazed at how things have changed. When I was a boy we enjoyed the concert, there was no technology. I wanted to do an experiment and ask my staff to remove all the effects, lights, neon, fireworks and the public to put away their phones. The only rule was to dance and not think. And it was beautiful.”

What is the key to your work?
«I listen to a lot of music, even music that is very different from my own. There is a phrase that says no input no output so the more input you put into the bucket the more output you generate. So I have so many inspirations.”

In 2021 he underwent a major operation.
«I had mitral valve prolapse, I had known about it for a few years. I monitored it, but when the matter became serious they advised me to have surgery. To think that there are surgeons who keep a person for three or four hours every day with their heart stopped and save lives is something incredible.”

What did you feel during that time?
«I tried not to think about it. I was scared. I did some research and spoke to many doctors and surgeons who reassured me. My partner was expecting our daughter Alice. I always thought that once the operation was over, I would enjoy my family to the fullest. This was my strength.”