The journalist and speaker who passed away at 62. Cotto was among the most recognisable voices on Italian radio and a great expert on music.

The writer and radio host passed away at the age of 62. Massimo Cotto was among the most recognisable voices on Italian radio. He was also a great expert on music, so much so that he wrote several biographies of legendary artists. After a short illness, on Friday, 2 August, he passed away surrounded by the affection of his loved ones.

“This night, Massimo Cotto left us. We at Virgin Radio, his (second) home, want to be the ones to tell you because Massimo was one of us,” the Milanese broadcaster announced.

“Massimo was a phenomenal presenter but also much more. His interviews are masterful. Extraordinary journalist, writer, author, theatre actor always with the desire to tell and (enchant) amaze those in front of him or listening to him”, the memory of colleagues. “In 2012, he became part of the Virgin Radio family telling the madness of the great rock artists through the pills of Rock Bazar and then from 2016, he was on air every morning in Rock and Talk with Dr. Feelgood (Maurizio Faulisi) and with the Black Knight (Antonello Piroso) he has always said good morning to us with a smile and his unmistakable humour (we will never forget his jokes), keeping us company with an infinite passion for music and all things. Art forms”, continued from Virgin. “We are close to his family (Chiara, Francesco, his mother, Marisa) and to all of you who, like us, loved and appreciated him. Bye Massimo, have a safe trip”, the radio’s farewell.

Born in 1962, originally from Asti, Cotto was the historic face of Milanese radio belonging to the Mediaset Group. His debut on the radio came in the early 1980s, followed by a long career for some of the most famous broadcasters in the country, from Rai Radio1 to Radio Capital. Not only radio in his life, however, but also his work as an author of prestigious television programs such as Sanremo, when in 2010 it was hosted by Antonella Clerici, and The Voice of Italy, for which he dealt with artists such as Mara Maionchi and Piero Pelu. His production of biographies is equally rich, and he collaborated, among others, with Ligabue, Luca Carboni, and Renato Zero.