Rita Pavone (born August 23, 1945 - Turin) is an Italian ballad and rock singer who enjoyed success through the 1960s. Pavone is also an actress. She participated in the first Festa degli Sconosciuti ("Feast of the Unknown"), a prestigious television competition, in 1962, winning the contest. Her self-titled 1963 album, led by the hit single "La partita di pallone" ("The Ball Game") made her a national star at 17, and international attention soon followed.