When Jools Holland came to lunch we knew our Pino was star; PARENTS' INSIDE TRACK ON NEW WHO GUITARIST.
Byline: BRENDON WILLIAMSTHE moment Jools Holland called round for lunch, Pino Palladino's parents knew their son was something special.
And when 1980s smoothie Paul Young agreed to be Pino's best man at his wedding, proud Ann and Umberto Palladino had a feeling their boy was tipped for the top.
Over the last 20 years, bassist Pino has befriended some of the most famous faces in the music world.
But as far as the public is concerned, the words Pino Palladino have always prompted a puzzling, "Who?"
These days his name will prompt the same reaction, but for a very different reason after he was chosen as the new bass guitarist with legendary rockers The Who.
Pino, 44, replaced John Entwistle, who died of a heart attack last week, just days before a US tour.
Pino's appointment surprised the world. But not his parents.
Since he was a teenager growing up in Cardiff, Pino has become a favourite with music legends. Although never a household name himself, he has recorded with greats like Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, BB King, Pavarotti, Elton John, and the Bee Gees.
And Ann, 65, and Umberto, 72, knew he would achieve worldwide recognition one day.
Ann said: "We're thrilled about it. But we know Pino has been with so many people for so long now, it's about time he had some acclaim.
"He's made albums with most of the big stars and has loads of gold and platinum discs. He has worked with The Who before but not in this way.
"I'm sad it had to happen this way, with poor John Entwistle. I would have preferred it to be another way, but that's how it is." His proud dad remembers the moment he knew his son would hit the big time.
Umberto said: "It was when famous musicians used to come here."
Ann added: "I don't know how it happened, but Jools Holland was in Cardiff playing for a Welsh band.
HE came round to the house and asked Pino if he'd like to join Jools Holland and the Millionaires. He had lunch.
"Jools had been with Squeeze and then started up his own band and wanted Pino to join."
Ann admitted: "I had never heard of him at the time. But he came here to pick up Pino and take him back to London."
The list of famous friends doesn't end there. When Pino married wife Maz 10 years ago, heart-throb Paul Young was only too proud to be best man, and the pair are still best mates.
In the living room of Ann's Cardiff home, a framed picture of Pino with Tom Jones takes pride of place. Pino has one in his home of Tom Jones hugging Ann.
After 20 years of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous and cooking lunch for major celebs, Ann and Umberto are not the least bit phased any more.
Umberto said: "You get used to it. Most of them are very nice people."
Pino has come a long way since doing the washing up at his parents' Italian restaurant when he was a youngster.
As a teenager, he helped form a heavy rock band, Trapper, which would practice in a room above the restaurant. The father of three now lives in a plush pounds 1million house in Hampton, and has his own recording studio.
His mum and dad can still remember the day they bought him his first guitar when he was 14.
Ann recalled said: "He went to Spanish guitar lessons but after a few months said he wasn't going any more because they told him they couldn't teach him anything else."
Pino's parents believe his appearance before the Queen at the recent Party at the Palace may have helped him on the way to landing The Who job.
Ann said: "He was the bass player all the way through the concert. He met Tony Blair at Buckingham Palace after.
"They were invited back to the Palace and Pino went there with Ozzy Osbourne. Tony Blair came up and said, 'Hello Ozzy, how are you?'
OZZY said, 'I'm fine thank you, have you met Pino?' Pino had a mouth full of sandwich but then they had a conversation and Pino said Mr Blair knew a lot about music."
Despite friends like rocker Ozzy Osbourne, the closest family-man Pino ever came to behaving like a wild rock star was having shoulder-length hair when he was younger.
Ann said: "He's a bit of a shy bloke. If he was ever on television he was always in the background. He's a family man. He loves his wife Maz and his children, Fabiana, Giancarla and Rocco. They're a very close family."
Last week's announcement made Pino front-page news around the globe. And although he is used to working with the best, landing The Who job means the eyes of the whole music world will be on him.
Pete Townshend, lead guitarist, has already put pressure on Pino by singing his praises. He said: "He's a gentleman and a true professional.
"We talked about his role here and I made it clear we don't expect him to attempt to emulate, parody or copy John Entwistle in any way. Pino is a master in his own way."
Ann said her son is not at all nervous about joining The Who for their US tour. But she admits he did have a problem about the songs.
She said: "Pino's told us he has a difficult job because he didn't know any of the songs. He's been out and bought all the tapes and has been listening to them in his hotel room."
CAPTION(S):
PROUD: Mum Ann and dad Umberto; RUBBING SHOULDERS: Pino with superstar Tom Jones; BEST MAN: Singer Paul Young, left, did the honours at Pino's wedding to Maz; BAND AID: After a session with music legends BB King and Eric Clapton; BIG TIME: Pino, left, plays at The Who concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday following the death of John Entwistle, above
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Jul 6, 2002 |
| Words: | 1008 |
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