Jo Squillo
Italian singer-songwriter (born 1962)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giovanna Maria Coletti (born 22 June 1962), known professionally as Jo Squillo, is an Italian singer-songwriter and television presenter.
Life and career
Born in Milan, Coletti started doing music at the Santa Marta self-managed social center in her hometown.[1] In October 1979, she founded the all-female punk rock band Kandeggina Gang and adopted her stage name.[1][2]
In 1981, following the break-up of the band, Squillo made her solo debut with the single "Skizzo Skizzo" and the album Girl senza paura, which included the provocative and controversial "Violentami" ('Rape me').[1][2] In 1982, she released the single "Africa", dedicated to Nelson Mandela, and appeared on the cover of the German magazine Stern.[1] Starting from the 1984 single "I Love Muchacha", her style became pop-oriented.[3] In 1991, she entered the main competition at the Sanremo Music Festival with a successful duet with Sabrina Salerno, "Siamo donne".[3][2] Her planned participation in the 1992 Festival was cancelled at the last moment when her song was deemed ineligible, as it had already been performed in concert.[3] She subsequently took part in the 1993 edition of the Festival with "Balla italiano", which did not reach the final.[3]
From the 2000s onward, Squillo has focused primarily on television, specializing in lifestyle and fashion-related programming.[3][2] She is the founder of the non-profit organization Wall Of Dolls.[2]
