5 international Sanremo guests you might not remember

It was 29 January 1951 when the first edition of the Italian Music Festival went on the air. Since then began an immortal broadcast that nothing, not even the pandemic, could stop. Successes, curiosities, fiascos and memorable events - Sanremo has accompanied more than seventy years of Italian history, faithfully portraying an evolving country. Among the moments that have stuck in the collective memory are not only the music, but also major international stars, from Madonna to John Travolta, figures we know from Hollywood, MTV and the big screen, who travel to the Genoese coast for a few hours (and a lot of money) to meet an adoring public. From Bono Vox bowing to Mario Merola to Victoria Cabello stealing a kiss from Orlando Bloom, here are five guests you may not remember:

1. Bono Vox and the bow to Mario Merola

It was the year 2000, the fiftieth edition of the Sanremo Italian Song Festival: among the guests on the closing night was the name of U2, one of the most influential rock bands of the last 30 years, presented by Luciano Pavarotti and Fabio Fazio. At a certain point Bono Vox entered the stalls and the spotlight followed him, Bono continued singing and in the meantime approached a gentleman in a dinner jacket, looked him in the eye and bowed: this man was Mario Merola, the king of the Neapolitan drama. Merola looks at Bono and gives him an applause before the spotlight disappears and the Irish rocker returns to the stage.

2. When Brian Molko of Placebo smashed his Stratocaster on stage

The Ariston Theatre's set has hosted timeless rock stars: Bruce Springsteen in 1996, Queen in 1984, The Smiths in 1987, REM in 1995, David Bowie in 1997, Page and Plant in 1998 and Depeche Mode in 1990, to name just a few. But not everyone may remember how Placebo caused whistles and uproar on their debut on the Ariston stage, amid a sea of roaring performances. It was 2001 when Brian Molko, wearing a leather jumpsuit reminiscent of Elvis' look in the '68 Christmas special, crashed his black Stratocaster onto the amp at the end of the song Special K, after giving the camera the middle finger, of course.

3. The comedy sketch between Giorgio Panariello and John Cena

In 2006, it was wrestling champion John Cena's turn: the wrestler and rapper from West Newbury took part in the 2006 edition of the Festival della Canzone Italiana and engaged in a comedy sketch with Giorgio Panariello, who was dressed as Pippo Baudo. Dressed in trainers, Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt, the images of the unique interaction between Cena and Panariello, complicated by the Tuscan host's basic English, have gone down in history. 

4. Hilary Duff's playback

The 56th edition of Sanremo featured such enviable VIPs as John Travolta, Christina Aguilera, John Cena, Shakira and Orlando Bloom, but the real icon who set record ratings this year was Hillary Duff, who took to the Ariston stage on the second night to sing (lip-sync) Wake Up. The Lizzie McGuire star took to the stage in a black tulle dress, silver bangles, a diamond cross around her neck and her trademark radiant smile. Y2K lovers, take note.

5. The stolen kiss of Orlando Bloom and Victoria Cabello

The awkward siparietto between Orlando Bloom and Victoria Cabello - he clad in a charcoal grey suit, she in a long, flaming red dress, she with deliberately exaggerated effusions, he visibly distraught - is inevitably a piece of Sanremo history. It was the fourth evening of the 2006 edition, perhaps one of the richest in international guests, and the Italian audience was entranced by the actor who had just returned from playing Legolas in 'The Lord of the Rings'.