Zucchero, byname of Adelmo Fornaciari was bore September 25, 1955 in Roncocesi, a frazione of Reggio Emilia (Emilia-Romagna, an Italian rock singer). His stage name "Zucchero", meaning 'sugar', has been his nickname from a very young age, given to him by an elementary school teacher who said he was as sweet as sugar, calling him "marmellata e zucchero" - 'jam and sugar'.

Early career and success in Italy
His musical career began in 1970, with several ordinary bands such as I ducali, Le nuove luci, Sugar & Daniel, Sugar & Candies and lastly with a band named Taxi, winning the Castrocaro music festival in 1981 with Taxi. He made his first appearance in the famous Sanremo festival two years later with the songs "Una notte che vola" and "Nuvola". His first album, Un po' di Zucchero, was released in 1983 with fair success.

Zucchero moved to California in 1984, and recorded his second album with Italian producer Corrado Rustici, Zucchero & The Randy Jackson Band (1985). This album contains his first hit, "Donne".

He released Rispetto and Blue's in the next two years. Blue's went on to become the highest selling album in Italian history, and included the hit singles "Con le mani", "Solo una sana..." and the original version of "Senza una donna". In the tour promoting the album Blue's, Zucchero performed a cover of The Beatles' song "With a Little Help from My Friends" with his friend Joe Cocker.

In 1989 Zucchero and his band recorded the album Oro, incenso e birra in Memphis, greatly influenced by American soul music, included guest appearances by Eric Clapton, and blues singer Rufus Thomas, while Zucchero's band by that time includes former E-Street Band member David Sanscious. Oro, incenso e birra still stands as one of Zucchero's most successful albums, and includes the Italian hit singles "Diamante", "Overdose (d'Amore)", "Il Mare" and "Wonderful World".

International hits
In 1988 Zucchero began translating his songs to promote his music abroad, the song "Bambino io, bambino tu" being the first single to be released in a foreign language, released in Spain as "Bambino yo, bambino tu". The album Blue's was released the next year in the United Kingdom, and in 1990 Zucchero Sings his Hits in English was released worldwide. During 1989 he continued singing with Joe Cocker and also performed with Miles Davis. In the famous Arena di Verona he performed with Dee Dee Bridgewater and with Ray Charles.

Zucchero is probably best known internationally for the song "Senza una donna" ("Without a Woman), later becoming a duet with Paul Young and a number 2 hit in 1991 in the latter's native United Kingdom. The song was a great success worldwide, reaching number 1 in most European charts.

Between 1991 and 1993 Zucchero continued duetting with some of the world's most famous artists, such as Sting, Luciano Pavarotti, a young Andrea Bocelli, Peter Maffay, Elton John, Brian May and Eric Clapton. Many of these duets later got included in the compilation Zu & Co. (2004). The album Miserere (1992) was released worldwide, available in both Italian and English versions.

His music is largely inspired by gospel, blues and rock music, and varies between syrupy ballads and more rhythmic boogie-like pieces.

European hit singles include "Il volo" (English version: "My love"), "Così celeste", "Baila (sexy thing)", "Diamante" (original Italian lyrics co-written with Francesco De Gregori, foreign version featuring soul singer Randy Crawford) and "Wonderful World" (with Eric Clapton).

In July 2005, Zucchero took part in the Live 8 concerts in both Rome and Paris.

In September 2006 his latest album, entitled Fly, was released. Produced by Don Was, it includes the singles "Bacco perbacco", "Cuba libre" and "Occhi" and features collaborations with artists such as Ivano Fossati and Jovanotti. The album's track "L'amore è nell'aria" ("Love Is In The Air"), borrows the instrumental backing to the b-side "Broken" by UK rock band Feeder, a new recording based on the Feeder original than a sample taken directly from the recording. In 2007 Zucchero will tour to promote the Fly album.

Past Line Ups Cubanismo
Diane Reeves
Dominic Galea's Heritage
Shorter featuring Brian Blade, John Patitucci & Danilo Perez
Septeto Roberto Juan Rodriguez featuring David Krakauer
American Voices:
Coco York & Mike del Ferro
Tania Maria & the Viva Brazil Quartet
Jorge Ben Jor
Sandro Zerafa