He starts his career as a violinist. He composes chambre, symphonic and sacred music. Since the end of the 40s he dedicates himself to the creation of movie soundtracks. He collaborates with Orson Welles and with acknowledged italian directors like Monicelli, Lizzani, Bragaglia, Steno. He wins the Silver Ribbon for the soundtracks of "Continente perduto" ("Lost Continent") and "Vertigine bianca" ("White vertigo").
After beginning his career as a rock singer, in the same years as his brother Edoardo, he dedicated his entire career to the re-discovery of folk music. He is considered as an expert and an innovator in this music genre, since he revalued the tradution of the south of Italy.
Amongst the most beloved and apreciated italian comic actors, during the 70s and the 80s he was the protagonist of movies by great directors like Luciano Salce, Nanni Loy, Steno, Dino Risi. The part of Nonno Libero in the tv series "Un medico in famiglia" gives him new popularity. He performed some of the tracks included in his movies, like the theme of "Vieni avanti cretino" composed by Fabio Frizzi.
Father of the italian "canzone", he signs unforgettable hits like "Mamma", "Parlami d'amore Mariù", "Violino Tzigano", "Il tango delle capinere". He composes the score of the firts italian talking movie and for his entire life he is strictly connected with the cinema. Brave and talented business man, he founds the Bixio Publishing Group and the recording labels Cinevox Record and Bubble Records.
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