Peppino Impastato's Radio Satire 'Onda pazza' Mocked the Mafia
In the late 1970s, the radio program 'Onda pazza' broadcast on Radio Aut from Cinisi and Terrasini, Sicily, used satire to denounce the Mafia. Hosted by communist activist Giuseppe 'Peppino' Impastato, the show ridiculed local boss Gaetano Badalamenti, renaming him 'Tano Seduto' (Sitting Bull), and other officials in the fictional 'Mafiopoli.' The satire targeted corruption, illegal building, and public contract mismanagement. Impastato described the Mafia as 'a mountain of shit.' The show's theme song, 'Facciamo finta che…tutto va ben!' by Ombretta Colli, underscored the tragic indifference of authorities and the community. On May 9, 1978, Impastato was assassinated in a Mafia attack. His legacy endures through commemorations and continued anti-Mafia activism.
Key facts
- Peppino Impastato hosted 'Onda pazza' on Radio Aut in the late 1970s.
- The show satirized Mafia boss Gaetano Badalamenti as 'Tano Seduto.'
- Impastato was a communist activist from Cinisi, Sicily.
- The fictional town 'Mafiopoli' represented Cinisi under Mafia control.
- Satire targeted local politicians and officials, including mayor Gero Di Stefano and deputy mayor Franco Maniaci.
- Impastato called the Mafia 'a mountain of shit.'
- The show's theme song was 'Facciamo finta che…tutto va ben!' by Ombretta Colli.
- Impastato was murdered on May 9, 1978, in a Mafia bombing.
Entities
Artists
- Peppino Impastato
- Gaetano Badalamenti
- Gero Di Stefano
- Franco Maniaci
- Giuseppe Finazzo
- Ombretta Colli
Institutions
- Radio Aut
- Artspecialday
Locations
- Cinisi
- Terrasini
- Palermo
- Sicily
- Italy