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| Sal Palmeri |
Palmeri was credited with essentially inventing contemporary Italo-American radio through his “Radio ICN” and being “the voice” of Italians in the new world, constantly promoting culture and exchange between Italy and the United States and their peoples. A man of letters and culture, and playwright as well as actor, he was a kind man and effective communicator. He expanded over the years into new technologies and into providing 24-hour Italian programming. In 2013 Palmeri began utilizing streaming to reach his audiences.
Palmeri organized large events and concerts at Madison Square Garden, bringing to New York major Italian performers many would never have guessed would come to the US. During his long career he met Pope St. John Paul II and various heads of state and dignitaries.
Palmeri’s friend radio personality Francesco D’Amico announced his death in a Queens, New York hospital following a heart attack:
"It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the loss of our beloved Sal Palmeri. His presence in our lives had been truly special and his absence leaves a void that we will feel deeply."
Palmeri was a native of Roccamena (Palermo) and emigrated to New York with his family as a young man in the 1950s as his mother had been born in Louisiana, facilitating their entry. He started out originally a theatrical actor. He embarked on his radio speaking career in 1965, originally as a side job to pay for his acting courses at Hunter College, and he was among the founders of the Festival della Musica Italiana, which showcases Italian music in the US. Having forged deep ties with the music community and a large loyal following, he hosted famous Italian singers such as Domenico Modugno, Aurelio Fierro, Mario Merola, Nicola Di Bari, Gianni Morandi, Claudio Villa, Peppino Di Capri, Nilla Pizzi, many of which he brought to Madison Square Garden. He also broadcast directly from Sanremo and covered the soccer world through the "Tutto il calcio minuto per minuto" program. It should be noted that for years prior to modern internet technology Palmeri endeavored to make this all possible, and that his was the only 24 hour, seven day a week Italian broadcast. Palmeri worked out of his Ridgewood studio and presented from the Manhattan Center in the 1960s and 1970s. His first live broadcast of San Remo with Mike Bongiorno and Gabriella Farinon had to be done with a friend in Italy placing a telephone receiver up to a television so that he could transmit Peppino Di Capri. Palmeri later moved into digital technology and retired his four decades old “Buon Giorno Italia” program in 2012. He was broadcasting his “New York New York” program on Radio Amica up until last week.
Palmeri got his start in radio and the music scene through Lamberto Landi, the promoter of Italian singers, who hosted an Italian program on the WHOM station. Palmeri moved about from his studio to cover dances and Italian soirees organized by him at Town Hall, Brooklyn Hall, and Madison Square Garden. Sal Palmeri was himself an avid Palermo soccer fan and often appeared as a guest on the Palermo program “Tgs Studio Stadio”. A proud Sicilian, he loved his native island and its food and culture.
In 2006 the Italian daily newspaper and news outlet America Oggi (a successor to Il Progresso Italo-Americano), acquired Radio ICN and Palmeri collaborated with its new director Massimo Jaus and broadcasters such as Tony Pasquale, Silvana Romania, Sal Conte, Anna Garofalo, Pippo Pappo, Gennaro and Teresa Della Gatta, Gianluca Matulli and Gaspare Pipitone.
Sal Palmeri was a bridge between the emigrant and expat community and the Patria, and a nexus between the generations, speaking to the older unassimilated generation while engaging the next generation and New Yorkers of other backgrounds as well. He was himself the story of Sicilian chain migration and long years abroad and understood the lives and struggles of his listeners. Sadly, he may be among the last to generate local expat content in North America from the heart of the diaspora for the diaspora, as nowadays most content comes via internet or cable corporations and Italian events and performances are becoming more one-off niche happenings for younger expats rather than larger collective ones. As North America has lost many Italian radio programs in the last twenty years, his loss will have a major impact. A kind friend to charitable causes and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, he will be missed by people from all walks of life.
The former vice-president of Palermo FC and thousands of his fans publicly bid farewell to Sal Palmeri. Roccamena mayor Pippo Palmeri said in farewell to his illustrious compatriot:
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you infinitely for having brought with dignity the name of our community around the world. Thank you for all that you have said and done for all of us, making known the most beautiful part of our Country. Thank you again Sal, may God welcome you in Paradise. In the name of all of the community of which I have the honor of representing, may the most sincere embrace reach the loved ones in a moment of such great sorrow."
