Mal (singer)
Musical artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Bradley Couling (born 27 February 1944), known by his stage name Mal or Mal Ryder, is a singer who achieved popularity in Italy in the late 1960s, singing with his band Mal and the Primitives.[1] Born in Wales, he became a naturalized Italian citizen in 1989.[2] One of his biggest hits was the Italian theme of the TV series Fury.
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27 February 1944
Mal | |
|---|---|
Mal in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Paul Bradley Couling 27 February 1944 Llanfrenchfa, Wales |
| Genres | Beat |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Labels | |
Spouse | Renata Maialetti |
| Website | www |
Life and career
Born in Llanfrenchfa, at young age Mal moved to Oxford, where he worked as an electrician and was vocalist in a number of local groups.[3][4] In 1963, he formed the group Mal Ryder and the Spirits, which whom he recorded two singles for Decca.[4]
In 1965, he joined the group The Primitives, with whom he recorded two singles for Pye.[4] The same year, Gianni Boncompagni and Alberico Crocetta offered the band a contract to perform at Piper Club in Rome.[4] In 1966, the band toured Italy, enjoying immediate success and deciding to settle there.[3] The band's debut Italian single Yeeeeeh! was a massive hit. Music journalist Phil Smee identified their song Johnny noooo! as a key example of freakbeat.[5] Mal attracted most interest by media and fans, leading to the group splitting and Mal starting a solo career.[4]
Mal's first solo hit was Bambolina, which was followed by his Sanremo Music Festival 1969 entry Tu sei bella come sei and by Pensiero d'amore, a cover of Bee Gees' "I've Gotta Get a Message to You", which was also adapted in a musicarello film with the same title starring the same Mal and Silvia Dionisio.[3][4]
Following two more Sanremo Music Festivals, in 1970 with "Sole pioggia e vento" and in 1971 with "Non dimenticarti di me", and a few more hits, notably "Betty Blue", Mal returned to perform in English language with "Mighty Mighty Roly Poly".[4] In 1975, his career was relaunched by the unexpected success of his cover version of 1932 song "Parlami d'amore Mariù", which topped the Italian hit parade.[3] In 1977, he sold over one million copies with "Furia", the Italian opening theme used for the re-run of the TV-series Fury.[3]
In 1982, Mal made his return to the Sanremo Music Festival with "Sei la mia donna".[4] In the following years, his musical career consisted mainly of live events and appearances on nostalgia-themed TV shows.[3] In 1997, he took part in a successful stage musical version of Grease starring Lorella Cuccarini.[3] In 2005, he took part in the Canale 5 reality show La Fattoria 2.[6] In 2023, he was the Hippo in Il cantante mascherato, the Italian version of Masked Singer.[7]
