"If children are not introduced to music at an early age, I believe something fundamental is actually being taken from them."

• Born Luciano Pavarotti on Oct. 12, 1935, in Modena, Italy. Died Sept. 6, 2007, in Modena, Italy
   
• Pavarotti's first major breakthrough in the U.S. came in 1972, via a production of Le fille du régiment at the New York Metropolitan Opera. His performance of the piece's signature aria drew a record 17 curtain calls.
   
• Pavarotti won his first career GRAMMY for Best Classical Vocal Solo for Luciano Pavarotti — Hits From Lincoln Center at the 21st GRAMMY Awards.
   
• Did you know? The Italian tenor holds two Guinness World Records: one for most curtain calls and one for best-selling classical album.
   
• Pavarotti was named MusiCares Person of the Year in 1998. The annual gala raises funds for MusiCares, which provides services and resources that cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies for music people. That same year he was honored with a GRAMMY Legend Award.