The Prince of Platì - Lisa Germano, 2009

Oh tell me a story

I want to feel better and you're here

Can I cry on your shoulder

Lisa Germano, The Prince of Platì

Per non scemare l’interesse sulla comunità platiota fra Mishawaka e Sout Bend nello stato dell’Indiana, eccovi qualcosa di cui nessuno si aspetta. Per i media il sinonimo Platì è qualcosa di … ditevelo da soli. Per una ragazza figlia di emigrati platioti cresciuta nell’area citata in apertura è un lost world. Solo la casualità poteva farmi scoprire questa canzone e così i natali di Lisa Germano. Ora, accanto ai cognomi tanto oltraggiati affianchiamo quello di Germano. Se cercavate un inno un anthem per la gloria del paese eccovi The Prince of Platì e esorto tutti i feisbuchiani platioti a far passa parola e se volete saperne di più su Lisa (ognuno di noi nella propria famiglia ha una Lisa) non avete che far scrollare il cursore del topo digitando le parole Platì Mishawaka Germano.

Ah, ovvio che per Lisa Germano il principe di Platì è suo padre Rocco (21 maggio 1921 – 29 dicembre 2015) e non quello evocato da Vincenzo Papalia che assomiglia piuttosto al Gille de Rais di Michel Tournier.

Per finire, invito tutti quanti hanno avuto un padre nato in Platì ad eleggerlo “Principe di Plati” … avremo così un paese di Principi, io comincio col mio!

The Prince Of Plati

Oh tell me a story

I need to hear

I want to feel better and you're here

Oh can't we be happy

Just, just for today

Can I cry on your shoulder, ok

Hey why so serious, why so blue

Hey let's you and me do what we want to

Oh nobody looking

Oh nobody see

We, we could be laughing

Just you and me

Oh I feel sorry

Oh just sorry for life

Can I cry on your shoulder

You seems so unhappy

I can't take that today

Can I tell you a story, ok

And get away from all this blue, blue, blue

Do the things we did before we thought we knew

Oh nobody looking

Oh nobody see

You could tell me a story

And play with me

Oh can't we be happy

Oh just for today

Oh nobody looking

La canzone è nell'album Magic Neighbor del 2009

 Rocco Germano

May 21, 1921 - Dec. 29, 2015

MISHAWAKA - Rocco, 94 years old, passed away naturally and peacefully at his home early Tuesday morning after a long illness.

He was preceded by his father and mother, Frank and Josephine Germano, his Uncle Tony Germano, and his brother Dominic Germano. He is survived by his wife of sixty five years, Betty (Lemler) Germano, sister Catherine Koscielski, brother Tony Germano (Ann), sisters-in-law, Shirley Muldoon and Jean Jewell, and his six children, Emily Goethals (Kenneth) of Bremen, Dr. Alan Germano (Lesa) of Boise, Idaho, John Germano (Barbara) of Indianapolis, Lisa Germano of Mishawaka, Richard Germano (Nancy) of Indianapolis, and Maria Rhoda (Patrick) of Indianapolis. His grandchildren are Haley Lake (Reuben), Max Germano (Kelsey), Chloe Germano, John Germano, Joe Germano, Brandon Kimes, Danny Rhoda, Gordon Rhoda and many nieces and nephews.
Rocco was born in Plati, Italy and lived there with his mother while his father came to Mishawaka to work at U.S. Rubber Company. He immigrated here with his mother at the age of eight, learned English and was soon found to be a child prodigy on the violin. He graduated from Mishawaka High School, attended Notre Dame and the Chicago Musical College where he earned a Master's Degree in Musical Performance, and met the love of his life, Betty, on the South Shore, during their commute.
Rocco served in World War II in the Office of Strategic Services O.S.S., playing the violin entertaining the troops, and was present at the Potsdam Conference along with Mickey Rooney and pianist, Eugene List. He was also a member of the American Legion.
He played in several orchestras including New Orleans Symphony, Boston Pops, Chicago Lyric Theater, Grant Park Symphony, Chicago Symphony and the South Bend Symphony. He went on to become a pioneer and pillar of the South Bend musical scene and is awarded a place at the South Bend Community Hall of Fame in the Century Center.
Rocco founded the South Bend Youth Symphony with Robert Demaree and Kenneth Geoffroy and was the conductor for the first thirty-five years. He also conducted the Twin Cities Concert Band for years of summer concerts at the local parks and was musical director of many musicals at the Country Playhouse and other venues in the community.
He taught choir at St. Mary's College and Riley High School and orchestra at Adams High School. He was also one of the founders of the South Bend Chamber Music Society and a member and delegate of the South Bend Federation of Musicians. Rocco was a lover of nature and the cook of the house. He taught all six kids the art of mushroom hunting and cooking his many delicacies.

Published in South Bend Tribune from Dec. 30, 2015 to Jan. 2, 2016

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?pid=177074641

Per la verità Rocco di cognome andava Iermanò, era figlio di Francesco e Barbaro Giuseppa.

Ecco alcuni nomi con cui Lisa Germano ha lavorato: gli Eels, John Mellencamp, i Simple Minds, David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, Iggy Pop e i Crowded House, la possiamo perdonare se è poco.