Starting from now I’ll be posting some (football and musical) highlights from 25 30 YEARS AGO.
Just wanted to make you feel old there.
I remember watching World Cup finals before this one. But there was something about Italia ’90 which struck a chord not just with me, but with everyone. In actuality most of the matches were dull encounters. We don’t remember that though, what we do remember is those moments. I’ll be reliving those over these next series of posts.
Starting with the opening ceremony from Italian TV…
The official theme song was composed by Giorgio Moroder – sung by Gianna Nannini and Edoardo Bennato.
There were two versions – one in Italian and one in English.
» Giorgio Moroder Project feat Paul Engemann – To Be Number One
Additionally: Did you know there was a full album too. More about that another time.
I’ve gleamed all the information from this site about who was on presenting and punditry duty for the television broadcasting of the World Cup in the UK:
ITV Coverage:
TV’s commentators in Italy were Brian Moore (his first full World Cup as a commentator, he had always previously presented the programmes from London), Alan Parry, John Helm, Gerry Harrison and Clive Tyldesley. Jock Brown commentated on the Scotland games for STV and Grampian viewers. The co-commentators were Ron Atkinson, Ian St John, Trevor Francis and Billy McNeill. There were two ITV presenters this year – Nick Owen in London and Elton Welsby in Italy.
ITV’s theme tune was “Tutti Al Mondo” by Rod Argent & Peter Van Hooke.
Opening titles and intro to England’s quarter-final v Cameroon:
BBC Coverage:
The BBC commentators were John Motson, Barry Davies, Tony Gubba and Gerald Sinstadt. Archie MacPherson voiced the Scotland games for BBC viewers watching north of the border. The co-commentators were Bobby Charlton, Trevor Brooking, Liam Brady and Ray Wilkins. The presenters were Des Lynam and Bob Wilson.
The BBC used Luciano Pavarotti’s recording of “Nessun Dorma” as its’ World Cup theme tune.
This is from a presentation concert in Milan before the World Cup:
Additionally: Another record company cashed in on the popularity of Nessun Dorma by releasing a version done by Placido Domingo – one of the Three Tenors.
» Luciano Pavarotti – Nessun Dorman (BBC 1990 World Cup Grandstand)(This version used by the BBC was originally recorded in 1973)
⇒ Up next: more Italia ’90.