Born in Sassuolo, in the Province of Modena and belonging to a working-class family, when he was four, he developed poliomyelitis and he lost use of his legs.
His last album, 301 guerre fa (2002) was composed with the collaboration of his son Alberto and Luciano Ligabue.
He also collaborated and released a single called "Promissas" with the Sardinian band Istentales.
[1] Bertoli died in Modena on 7 October 2002 of a heart attack due to a tumor.
Married to Bruna, Bertoli had 3 children, Emiliano, Petra and Alberto, also a singer.