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Daniele was born and raised in the tough, crime-infested
Sanita neighborhood of Naples and drew on that experience to
tinge his love songs with themes of poverty and injustice.
From humble beginnings, the self-taught guitarist went on to
play with greats such as Eric Clapton, Richie Havens, Pat
Metheny and Chick Corea. His band was once the opening act for a
historic concert in Milan by Bob Marley.
Naples Mayor Luigi de Magistris ordered flags on city buildings
to be flown at half-mast and declared a day of mourning for the
man whose melancholic, nasal voice made him instantly
recognizable to millions.
"I still have his music in my ears," Prime Minister Matteo Renzi
said. "He had an incredible voice ... his guitar playing was
precious and he had a rare sensitivity that was tinged with
passion and melancholy that will continue to tell the story of
our country to the whole world."
Daniele, who often sang in a mix of Italian, Neapolitan dialect
and English, studied accounting in high school but decided early
on he wanted to be a musician.
He made his debut album "Terra Mia" (My Land) in 1977. In it, he
spoke of the hope and despair of his city, home to the Camorra
organized crime group.
Just four years later, his success was crowned when he drew some
200,000 fans to an outdoor concert in one of the southern city's
biggest squares.
He composed soundtracks for a number of Italian films,
particularly those by the late Neapolitan actor and director
Massimo Troisi.
Daniele, who was greatly influenced by American jazz giants such
as Louis Armstrong and George Benson, made nearly 25 studio
albums, released a half dozen live discs recorded on his tours
and produced songs for other Italian singers.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Michael Roddy and
Robin Pomeroy)
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