[...] if I am classical high school, he (Francesco De Gregori) is university.

De André introduced the young singer-songwriter to Nanni Ricordi, record producer, with these words. Quoted in Enrico Deregibus, Francesco De Gregori. Quello che non so, lo so cantare, Giunti, 2002, p. 45. ISBN 978-88-09-75626-7