March 13, 2025 is not any day for Luciano Ligabue. Correggio's rocker blows on 65 candles while one of his most iconic albums, “Happy birthday Elvis“turns 30.
A record that in 1995 marked a turning point in his career, with songs that would become real generational hymns.
To celebrate this milestone, from 18 April it arrives “Happy birthday Elvis 1995-2025 ″a work omnia that returns new life to the disc with revisited versions, demo, rarity and live recordings taken from the last tour in theaters. A journey through time that brings to light the strength of an ageless album.
Ligabue tells us the meaning of this celebration, the link with a record that marked his history and his relationship with the passing time.
The interview
Luciano, “Happy birthday Elvis” was born in a period of crisis. What led you to write that record?
It was a difficult moment: the break with my first manager, tensions in the group, the concrete risk of giving up everything. Then there was that trip to the United States with my brother and some friends. I came back with about thirty songs in my pocket. There something turned on. I think we often don't know how to explain how the pieces are put together, but at that moment I found the direction. “
The disc marked a turning point, even sound.
I was looking for a sound that was not in fashion but that could last over time. And I found it with the band of musicians in my area, with which there was a natural harmony. It was a more American sound, but timeless. I don't know if I can say it without seeming presumptuous, but several suppliers of musical instruments confirmed that, after the album exit, people looked for that type of guitars and amplifiers. “
We rented an old elementary school, we spent the days playing and we celebrated in the evening. The climate was relaxed, even if I knew that that disc could have scored a turning point in my career: either it was or closing shack.
Then 'certain nights' came out on the radio and everything changed there. The album escaped us from hand and became everyone. “
Let's talk about the celebratory concerts. Are you already thinking about the lineup and scenography?
Yes, we are working on it. It will be an event that must take into account the past celebrations, but with its identity. There will be all the groups that have played with me over time. And there will be surprises. I want the atmosphere to be not only inside the arena, but you breathe everywhere. “
Will the new versions of the songs have any updates?
I have not touched the texts, they are those and those remain. However, the interpretation changes a bit: some pieces have become more shuffle, more swing, and therefore the cantato also follows this direction. “
Looking back, your relationship with the past seems to be changed. Do you still have the same relationship with your music today?
Over time I understand that making music also means letting yourself be obsessed with songs. Each song tells you about you and has to find its space in the world. During the pandemic I fished out so much from my past, and perhaps it is a sign of the times: we are more isolated, more closed. We need an 'us', of a sense of belonging. “
“Happy birthday Elvis” had a strong link with America. Would you do that journey with different eyes today?
I have never been pro-American in a political sense, but my musical, literary and cinematographic passions come from there. On that album I also talked about myth and its decline. Elvis was an icon, but in the end he died of excesses: too much food, too many drugs, too much loneliness. A perfect metaphor of the American dream. “
Among the rarities and finds, is there something that has particularly excited you?
Many things. But above all the rediscovery process. Understanding that a disc may not be just a memory, but something alive, which continues to speak and excite. “
The formats
The first physical versions will be released on 18 April.
In CD: “Happy birthday Elvis 1995-2025 (Standard Edition 3CD)” (Disc 1: New Mix | Disc 2: Demos & Rarities | Disc 3: Naked) and “Happy Birthday Elvis 1995-2025 (Deluxe Box 6 CD)” (Disc 1 + disc 2 Remastered 2025 + New Mix | Disc 3 + Disc 4: Naked + CHAM | Disc 5: Demos & Demos & Demos & Demos & Demos Rarities | Disc 6: in the '24 theaters).
Vinyl: “Happy birthday Elvis (New Mix)” (double LP Gold), “Happy birthday Elvis (New Mix)” (double LP Red Limited & Signed Edition) and “Happy birthday Elvis (Naked)” (double LP).
From 25 April “Happy birthday Elvis 1995-2025 (Super Deluxe Box) will be available, a work omnia containing the 6 discs already present in the deluxe box to which is added a seventh disc, Live '95 (8 live songs of the 1995 tour), the double LP Gold” Happy birthday Elvis (New Mix) “, the 7” of “certain nights”, the booklet with unpublished photos, the booklet. Poster, the laminate pass, tickets and the original tour book 1995, 3 picks, 2 patch and the “Elvis” glasses.
Finally, an eighth exclusive album that will be announced in the coming months and sent in September.
“Happy birthday Elvis (Demos & Rarities)” (double LP) and new formats will be announced in the coming weeks will be released soon.
From tomorrow digitally the songs in the Naked+Tales version Some nights and a son named Elvis.
The tour
The wait for “The night of certain nights” is growing, the two large live events produced and organized by Friends & Partners and Zooaperto. On June 21 Luciano Ligabue will return to the stage of the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia 20 years after the first concert in Campovolo to celebrate the 30 years of “certain nights” together with the fans, who in 1995 marked one of the most important moments of his career. “The night of certain nights” will also continue at the Royal Palace of Caserta – Piazza Carlo di Borbone on September 6 when, for the first time, one of the most beautiful and iconic places in the world will be the background to the first great event in the south of the Liga career.
Two great parties that will not limit themselves on the day of the concert but which will begin the day before: the Ligastreet (open from 12:00 on Friday 20 June) will frame the big event at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia while the Ligavillage (open from 12:00 on Friday 5 September) will be set up at the Royal Palace of Caserta.
Ligastreet and Ligavillage will be divided into different thematic areas that will allow the public to enter the world of Ligabue enjoying a series of activities: from the photographic exhibition to memorabilia, passing through the dedicated and exclusive merchandising, from the catering points to the cinema area, from the campsite to the sports area, a Kids area and much more.
In addition, in both events there will be a tribute stage, a stage that will be made available to the most important Ligabue tribute bands that will perform on the two evenings before the shows (Friday 20 June in Reggio Emilia and Friday 5 September at the Royal Palace of Caserta) starting at 21:00.
Info & tickets
June 21, 2025 | Campovolo – RCF Arena of Reggio Emilia
September 6, 2025 | Royal Palace of Caserta
Click to buy tickets
Web & Social
www.ligabue.com
www.facebook.com/
www.instagram.com/ligabue_
www.twitter.com/ligabue
www.tiktok.com/@luciano_
Ligabue.com/barmario
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