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Roberto Murolo, was one of the most famous voices in Neapolitan music. With his melodious voice and guitar, Murolo influenced a generation of Italian musicians who adapted Neapolitan song, which has its roots in traditional folk music, to jazz and rock. In 1995, he received Italy's highest order of merit for his contribution to the country's musical heritage.Museum of Naples's songs is proposed for his memorial.
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NAPLES GRIEVE ROBERTO MUROLO'S DEATH

NAPLES, March 14 (Reuters) -- Roberto Murolo, one of the most famous voices in Neapolitan music, has died at the age of 91 in his native Mediterranean city.

Murolo kept the tradition of Neapolitan song alive, carrying the sound across oceans with old favourites like "O Sole Mio" and tunes he made famous such as "Cu'mme."

With his melodious voice and guitar, Murolo influenced a generation of Italian musicians who adapted Neapolitan song, which has its roots in traditional folk music, to jazz and rock.

In 1995, he received Italy's highest order of merit for his contribution to the country's musical heritage.

Murolo passed away shortly before midnight on Thursday at his home.He has suffered from poor health for years and was hospitalized last September after a stroke.
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SAD DAY FOR NAPLES

Naples, March 14 (AGI) -- "This is a sad day for Naples", Naplesmayor Rosa Russo Jervolino said commenting on the death of singer Roberto Murolo.

She went to Murolo's house, in via Cimarosa, accompanied by the Councillors Tecce, Parente e Furfaro and by the Underground Special Commissioner Di Palma, and said:

"Roberto Murolo sang hope and sadness, feelings and dreams. We will remember him in the Council."

"We ask for the body to be exposed at the Maschio Angioino - she added - as Naples's citizens could pay homage to him with gratitude and affection, which I think will be enormous."

Last time the mayor went to Murolo's house was for his birthday.

"He was feeling bad - she remembered - but he had plenty of projects and ideas. Now this is a sad memory to me," said Jerovolino. "The great people die, but an artist survives through his works, as it was for Murolo's father, Ernesto."

The mayor also spoke about future initiatives "to revive Murolo's memory."

"His songs," she explained, "will be his memorial and will push ahead the project for a museum of Naples's songs. I think Murolo would appreciate that more than a stone statue."

Mayor Jervolino, also recalled an episode of Murolo's life:

"In 1946 my father was Minister of Post and I went with my mother to the ceremony for the Ischia Prize. I was ten year old and I remember of a young Murolo singing and playing the guitar. Later on I found a picture of that night and I sent it to him. I do not know whether he was happy with that."