He made his official debut in 1985 as Alex Bono, entering the Festivalbar with the song "Walkie Talkie".

[1] In 1987, Bono entered the newcomers competition at the 37th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival with "Nel mio profondo fondo".

His debut self-titled album was producer by Mario Lavezzi and Mogol and was released in 1988, receiving mostly favourable reviews from critics.

[1][2] Between the late 1980s and the early 1990s, Bono was opening act in concerts of important artists such as Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Francesco De Gregori, David Crosby and Gino Paoli.

[1][2][3] He returned to compete at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1992 with a duet with Andrea Mingardi, "Con un amico vicino", and in 1994 with "Oppure no".