Her musical career began in 1944 when she made her stage début in a Red Cross charity show.

Her first big break as a professional vocalist came in 1947, when she sang in The Hot Club of France with two jazz legends: guitarist Django Reinhardt, and violinist Stéphane Grappelli.

Celebrity came in 1952 thanks to the movie Anna directed by Alberto Lattuada and starring Silvana Mangano, Vittorio Gassman and Raf Vallone.

Both winners were at their first appearance at the popular song contest, and succeeded ahead of the great favorite Nilla Pizzi.

On the night of 24 September 1958, the Happy Boys, a band of teen-age students was playing in the Rivarolo del Re dance hall, Cremona.