Flash: Ciao Roberto! Thank you very much for taking your time for this interview.
Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself and when and how did you get started in the music business?

Roberto: I was 15 years old when I started working as a DeeJay. I played various records on my old LENCO turntables during the show breaks for some local bands in Cititavecchia, Italy (the same city that I was born). I was inspired by the whole music scene, getting good DeeJaying experience and dreaming of the day when I will become a musician too. Who would have guessed that one day my dream will became a reality?

Flash: Roberto, you are known to be a very accomplished deejay. Tell me what was your most memorable or a funny moment in the old days?

Roberto: The most memorable moment for me as DJ was the party held in "Imperiale" Disco Club in 1999. 4,000 people showed up at the party and it was the night to remember! The funny part was that the police was my personal "bodyguard" because the fans would not let me go off the stage. There was another very similar day like that, I recall on the 14th of August in 1992 in the Disco called "La Grotta" when 15,000 fans would not to let me leave. My girlfriend and I had to escape through the service elevator in the bar. It was a memorable and a funny day, indeed!

Flash: Is there really such thing as "The best DeeJay"? If you believe that yes, who do you think was (or is) the best?

Roberto: I don't believe that there is such thing as "the best DeeJay". Every good DJ has its own following, and he faithfully serves that audience. By the way, my good friend Claudio Coccoluto is one of the greatest DeeJays on my list.

Flash: What music did you used to play at clubs? What were your favorite hits to play to get people dancing?

Roberto: As a star DeeJay and an entertainer you only have one hour to play music and show what you've got. I always included the best music in my programs just to make absolutely sure that the show will be a blast. I often played commercial music mixed with the most popular hits of the moment, blending with some of my personal favorites, and important rock hits too.

Flash: Do you still on occasion stand behind the "wheels of steel" and make a mix?

Roberto: Now I only DJ for major international events. I'll be going soon on the world tour to play at the major culturally important cities: Moscow, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Sophia, New York, Los Angeles. Rome will be the last stop. The fun and enjoyment is guaranteed for one hour and half.

Flash: Who were the people that helped you get started writing music?

Roberto: I must mention here Mauro Ferrari , Sandro Barelli, Marco Parmigiani who were of major influence and help.

Flash: How did you come up with the idea to write "let's go out"? (This is my personal favorite!)

Roberto: "Let's go out" was my very first project in 1983. I worked for a local radio station as a courier, helping with delivering records. One day Mauro Ferrari and I composed "Let's Go Out" using great guitar, bassline, and percussion played by Luigi Fiore. Mauro and I wanted to bring a bit of funky sound to the world, and share our vision of music.

Flash: How (or why) did you choose Massaroni Ermanno record label for your records?

Roberto: Massaroni Ermanno was my first producer. He used to have a big record shop that I worked for in Rome, and that's how we made our acquaintance. He had many connections in the industry.

I think we (the Italian Disco musicians) were a precursor to what today is known as House, so liked by many people

Flash: Who are the other members of your D.J. Program band?

Roberto: The members of D.J. Program band are: Silvio Moretti detto il "prode silvius", Salvatore Seri, Stefania and Cristiana Barbaranelli, Mauro Ferrari, Oberhaim ed il "cobra" di Civitavecchia.

Flash: The sound of your music is very distinctive. It has a sound that Italo fans call "typical Onofri". I think that the uniqueness of your beat elevated many of your records to the cult-like status. What distinguishes you from other artists in your genre?

Roberto: It is not an easy question to answer... I think that I "speak" a very simple musical language and I have great desire to bring enjoyment to my audience, and most of all I want to involve them in the music.

ARP Odyssey

Roberto: Contrary to what some people may think, we played live shows. I used many different synthesizers that were so popular at the time: ARP Odyssey, Simmons, Roland 909

Flash: Have you ever been tempted to copy someone else to make your records more commercially successful?

Roberto: Of course, we made some covers of popular songs. However, we always wanted to improve the song, enrich the sound further, but never just copy it straight away.

Flash: What in your opinion is the most important ingredient for a successful hit in dance music?

Roberto: The song must have a catchy melody - you must be able to whistle to the riffs.

Flash: Could you please tell us about Master Program label? It featured all the records produced by you.

Roberto: MASTER PROGRAM Is my personal record label that I own together with the members of D.J. Program Band.

Flash: Which record that you produced are you most proud of and why?

Roberto: I am proud of every record I made, really... Every record reminds me of the true moments living "On The Road"

Flash: Are there more records that you produced than we know? If yes, could you please tell us more about them?

Roberto: Your list is almost complete, I 'd like to add some more recent releases:

DJ Roberto Onofri~ Eternity 1993
DJ Roberto Onofri~ " che palle" ariston rmx digit 1994
DJ Roberto Onofri~ teknoshock dig it 1994
DJ Roberto Onofri~ e Franco Nero girotondo rap 2000 mpp\456 (disco d'oro 50,000 dischi venduti)
DJ Roberto Onofri~ e Franco Nero castello rap 2001 mpp\457
DJ Roberto Onofri~ "estate latina compilation" 2002 mpp 789

Flash: You thanked Ricardo Cioni on your first records. I know that Ricardo Cioni was a DeeJay himself and he also owned his own record label "Master Deejay". Could you please tell me what role did he play in your musical career?

Roberto: Riccardo Cioni was my mentor. I attended his school of music, and to give him credit is only natural. For me personally, he's one of the very best Italian deejays in history.

Flash: Did you make any good lifelong friends from Italo disco scene? If not, did you have any friends at the time?

Roberto: I was fortunate to meet a lot of people and really made a lot of great friends

Flash: Are there any musicians that you would want to collaborate and release a record?

Roberto: Yes, of course! I'd love to make a record with Peter Micioni, Den Harrow, Martinelli, Spagna, Gazebo

Flash: Did you have music background? (Music school, lessons etc.)

Roberto: Yes, I attended Percussion school for 3 years, and studied under great Ricardo Cioni.

Flash: Do you play a musical instrument?

Roberto: I play drums.

Flash: Did you write music with the intent to send a message? If so, how important is it that your audience understands the message?

Roberto: My message was the one and only: "Enjoy dancing without having any thoughts on your mind!"

Flash: Many interviewed Italo-disco artists said that they prefer to listen other music than Italo. What sort of music do you listen?

Roberto: I listen to Hit dance, Italian remix, and I always enjoyed listening to Italo dance!

Flash: What do you think of Italo-disco now, twenty years after?

I think one of the main reasons for Italo Disco's obscurity is a poor promotion and lack of adequate advertisement. The music was born in a wrong place and in a wrong time. Hence, the recognition and appreciation of Italo came many years later, like it happened to the great Robert Miles, for example.

Roberto: I think we (the Italian Disco musicians) were the precursor to what today is known as House Music, so liked by many people.

Flash: I like asking this question in the interviews: why do you think Italo-disco did not become really popular, say just like rap music or hip-hop?

Roberto: I think one of the main reasons for Italo Disco's obscurity is a poor promotion and lack of adequate advertisement. The music was born in a wrong place and in a wrong time. Hence, the recognition and appreciation of Italo came many years later, like it happened to the great Robert Miles, for example.

Flash: What is your prime motivation behind your creative work?

Roberto: I like the idea of creating something amazing

Flash: Who or what are your main musical influences and inspirations?

I draw a lot of inspiration from the old Italian pop groups

Flash: How do you feel when others are critical about music that you have written?

Roberto: Well, I always say that there's a place for all kinds of music in this big world

Flash: If you have experienced creative blocks, how have you overcome them?

Roberto: Yes, of course, I know the feeling. I 've had many moments like that. My solution is not to do anything about it for the time being and start working again after a while. The longest block I 'vet ever had lasted for 3 months.

Flash: I know that you are currently on television working as a host video one program. Could you please tell me how did you get involved with TV?

Roberto: 1994 was a great year for me: I won all there was to win for a DeeJay. It was time for me to do something else. During one of my performances abroad I met Rosalinda Celentano (daughter of the great Adriano Celentano, now one of the most popular TV actors) in Lettonia. Together, we conceived the idea of VIDEO 1 and………..We are still on the air 10 years after.

Flash: I am sure that you meet a lot of people through your work on the television. Who are the most interesting people you've ever met?

Roberto: Paola Saluzzi, an employee of RAI ONE, is one of the most interesting people I've met. I hope to work with her in the nearest future…Also, a great international star Franco Nero. I met with him by accident in Chile (Vigna Del Mar). We both were invited as guests to an important TV show. From that time on, he's been my best friend.

Flash: Your show video one features many musicians and outrageous characters from the music scene. What do you personally think of the music today if comparing it with the music of the 80's?

Roberto: I do like contemporary commercial dance music, but I am not so keen on "Techno" style.

Flash: Who do you think is the most interesting artist in Italy today?

Roberto: No doubt on my mind, it is Eros Ramazzotti

Flash: And in conclusion, here is the million dollar question - what is the most important thing for you in life, Roberto?

Roberto: Maybe this sounds very trivial, but to me the most important things in life are health, love and friendship.

© 2004 Euroflash. All Rights Reserved.
Special thanks to Lorenzo Trombetti for Italian translation.