Born in Milan, Italy in 1938, Adriano Celentano first began his performing career as a comedian and impressionist in Milanese cabarets, then made his official singing debut at Milan's ice-skating rink during the First Festival of Rock And Roll in 1957. After that, all it took was three or four singles to turn him into one of the most idolised (and often most criticised) stars of Italian pop music. Reaching the top of the Italian music charts with his debut single "Il Tuo Bacio e Come un Skirt" in 1959, he matched its success with the million-selling "24000 Baci (24,000 Kisses)" in 1961.

From 1965 onwards he achieved similar success in the cinema, both as a director and as an actor.

Although in 1979 he left music for nearly two decades to focus on his career as an actor, Celentano later recaptured the momentum of his early career with his comeback album "Mina + Celentano" in 1998.

Mr Bungle first covered "24,000 Baci" during their 95-96 tour in support of "Disco Volante", then again on the "California" tour.