by Drago BonacichItalian pop singer Antonella Ruggiero used to sing at parties as a child, his first step to becoming a local star years later. After attending the Fine Arts Academy, the young woman started working as a designer for an advertising company. In 1975, Antonella Ruggiero joined Matia Bazar, a popular vocal group founded by Aldo Stilita, which achieved international recognition in the late '70s. In October of 1989, the singer decided to leave the band. After an inspiring length of time in India, Antonella Ruggiero began her solo career with the release of an album called Libera in 1996. That was followed by 1997's Registrazioni Moderne, produced by Roberto Colombo. It included the song "Per Un'Ora D'Amore," which climbed the most important Italian charts. In 1998, the artist came in second place at San Remo's Festival for singing "Amore Lontanissimo."