Encouraged by his friend Gaetano Curreri (now leading member of Italian rock band Stadio), Rossi released his first EP on 13 June 1977, which included the songs "" (Jenny is crazy) and "Silvia", and a full-length album in 1978, ' ("What do you think a song is"). In 1979, he released a second album, ' ("We're not at all the Americans"), which included, "Albachiara" ("Cleardawn"), one of his biggest hits, a ballad considered emblematic of Rossi's poetic style. His most controversial album, "Colpa d'Alfredo" ("Alfredo's fault") followed in 1980; its title-track was censored from the radio and let loose bitter criticism because it contained some lyrics referring to women considered too explicit at that time. The controversy actually increased Rossi's popularity, and he quickly saw himself famous on a national level, particularly after performing live on "Domenica In", a popular Italian television program. The performance did not particularly please journalist Nantas Salvalaggio, who published a scathing article against Rossi calling him a drug addict. Rossi argued that Salvalaggio evidently did not understand his music and remarked how easy it is to criticize a still unknown artist who cannot defend himself.