RIP Raoul

Raoul Lovecchio: addio alla voce dei western 

Nocturno

By Davide Pulici

March 8, 2026

 

For me, Raoul Lovecchio had always been equivalent to Fernando di Leo. He was one of his "loyalists", who from Colpo in canna (1974) onwards had accompanied Fernando in almost all the achievements that followed, up to Killer vs Killers. They were friends and fellow countrymen too, both from Puglia – Lovecchio born in Foggia, in 1939, Fernando in San Ferdinando di Puglia in 1932. Over time I had also appreciated Raoul's presence in a couple of films by Renato Polselli, first Delirio caldo and then Riti, magie nere e segrete orge nel Trecento. He also discovered that already in the sixties Lovecchio had trodden the sets, starting with I teddy boys della canzone, by Domenico Paolella and then in westerns, such as ... And the Time to Kill Came, written by Fernando di Leo and directed by Enzo Dell'Aquila. But Raoul was born in the world of music, as a keyboardist, and then as a singer and composer he had embellished numerous soundtracks with his notes and his beautiful voice, starting with Arizona colt by Michele Lupo, in 1966. Today, unfortunately, I learn of his recent death from a communication that reached the editorial office signed by Lovecchio's three children, Pina (Stella), Domenico (Denny) and Vincenzo (Viky).

"The Lovecchio family makes it known to all those who loved the songs, the soundtracks he interpreted and the films in which dad starred, that Ettore Lovecchio aka Raoul passed away on January 8, 2026. The funeral rite was held in Rome in the Church of the Holy Crucifix in Via di Bravetta 332. You will be pleased to know that the service was performed in full respect of his great artistic and human quality and that two famous songs accompanied his entry and exit from the Church. We have chosen among the many that saw him as a protagonist in his long career, two songs that represented his powerful, warm, vibrant and unique voice: the first is Arizona Colt from 1966 (Francesco De Masi Feat. Raoul) and the second is Tira 'a rezza, oj piscatore performed by Raoul in the XVII Neapolitan Song Festival – 1969. We know that many fans around the world still listen to his songs and see films and to them go the biggest heartfelt thanks from the whole family. If the memory of Raoul will remain forever it will also be thanks to you".

LOVECCHIO, Ettore Raoul

Born: 2/12/1939, Foggia, Puglia, Italy

Died: 1/8/2026, Rome, Lazio, Italy

 

Raoul Lovecchio’s westerns – singer:

The Relentless Four – 1965 [sings: “Ranger”]

Death at Owell Rock – 1966 [sings “Danny]

God Will Forgive My Pistol – 1966, 1969 [sings: “The Man Called Texas”]

The Man from Nowhere* – 1966 [sings: “Arizona Colt”]

Any Gun Can Play – 1967 [sings: “Stranger”, “Come Mai”]

The Moment to Kill – 1967 [sings: “Walk by My Side”]

Payment in Blood – 1967* [sing “Seven Men”]

Two Crosses at Danger Pass* 1967 [sings: “Without a Name”]

A Wreath for the Bandits – 1967 [sings: “La balata della carogne”]

Between God, the Devil and a Winchester - 1968 [sings: “Heart of Stone”]

Death Rides a Horse* – 1968 [sings: “Death Rides a Horse”]

15 Scaffolds for a Killer – 1968 [sings: “Will You be Mine”]

Hate Your Neighbor – 1968 [sings: "Two Friends"]

Heads or Tails – 1968 [sings: "Arizona’s Waiting"]

Kill Them All and Come Back Alone – 1968 [sings: “Gold”, “Come mia”]

Sonora* – 1968 [sings: “Maybe Somewhere, Maybe Someday”]

A Taste of Death* – 1968 [sings: “Who is the Man?”]

Tequila – 1968 [sings: “A Man Alone”]

Vendetta at Dawn – 1971 [sings: “Walk by My Side”]