GALLARATE – «Thank you for teaching us that the language of music is a vehicle of brotherhood»: it was the applause of relatives, friends and fans of the seven notes that responded to the farewell words pronounced for Paolo Carù from Francesco Caltagironeand before him by Guido Giazzisignatures of “Buscadero”to Saint Mary. Today, Thursday 20 June, the basilica of Gallarate welcomed those who came to say their final farewell to the founder of the historic magazine and the “Wild Bunch”as well as owner of the record shop of the same name listed by “Guardian” among the best ten in the world.
The wonderful Piazza Garibaldi
In the homily the parish priest recalled the Sermon on the Mount of Gospel according to Matthew: «Blessed are the peacemakers. So are those who I create relationships and connect people: in this case giving a sound to feelings and creating bonds between the artist and those who want to find a moment of peace. And it also happened through constant service, competence and measured words. Relationships of peace, brotherhood and friendship were born around this brother.”
«This is an editorial that I never wanted to write – said Giazzi – through your work you pretended that nothing could happen, but we are not immortal. I have linked my life to the duo of Paolo and Anna. You didn’t have an easy, gruff and closed character, but you were a big brother to me. And a travel companion: a song will be enough to bring you back to life in our thoughts».
«He changed my life, showing me the beauty of the poetry of the world that he could find everywhere», said Caltagirone. «With music you have moved the axis of the planet uniting thousands of people, including artists and listeners. It was a wonderful adventure to go to Piazza Garibaldi. I don’t feel like saying goodbye to you, it would be an insult to what we have shared: this is why I say goodbye to you, giver of joy.”
Poggi and Gazich’s tribute
Among those present, together with the mayor Andrea Cassani and to the Councilor for Culture Claudia Mazzettithere were the composer Luca Chiaravallithe record historian Stefano Zappaterra and the journalist and music critic Aldo Pedron. Once the funeral ceremony was over, the coffin was left in the churchyard for a few minutes for a musical tribute: “And the healing has begun” by Van Morrison and the anthem “Amazing Grace” by John Newtonperformed respectively with the accordion by Fabrizio Poggi and with the violin from Michele Gazich.
For Chiaravalli the shop in Piazza Garibaldi was a fundamental point of reference: «It was there that I bought all my vinyl records in the 1980s». «A great loss for the world of music», declared Cassani. «This is demonstrated by the presence of many of his customers and fans gathered today. And it testifies to how much he was a precursor, and discoverer, in this area. The shop he ran with his wife Anna was one of Gallarate’s iconic activities. His passing leaves a void and a silence that can only be filled by the sound of the music he helped bring to the city.”
Paolo Carù: memory of a myth, end of an era
