Rita Pavone was America’s darling right from her first appearance as a musical guest on TV’s The Ed Sullivan Show in the 1960s. But she was also determined to stay close to her identity as an Italian singer. Pavone’s piercing vocals gave flight to grandiose ballads and pacy rock ’n’ roll songs alike throughout the ’60s and ‘70s. Softer jazz-vocal performances also became part of her repertoire as she matured and shed her reputation as a teenage pop sensation. Playful and sombre by turns, Pavone’s inimitable voice is one for the ages.