Astor Piazzolla was the leader of the Tango Nuevo movement during the time he was writing Adios Nonino in 1959. Piazzolla was entirely of Italian descent, with two very Italian parents. His daughter gave them traditional Italian names for grandmother and grandfather, Nonino and Nonina. One of the things that Piazzolla was involved in during that time was the musical direction of a dance team called Juan Carlos Copes, who traveled to Puerto Rico in 1959. On the last night of his trip to San Juan, Piazzolla received a telegram that his father said had fallen off his motorcycle and was in critical condition. Piazzolla found out the next day that his father had died at noon the next day. Once he was back home, he asked everyone to stay alone for a while. No one heard him cry, but his wife heard him sigh as he wrote a bright, happy tune. It was then that Adios Nonino by Astor Piazzolla was born.
Adios Nonino became one of the most popular pieces that Piazzolla had ever written. He later stated that he was “Surrounded by Angels” and that he “probably couldn’t do it again, this being the best tune he’s ever written.” Piazzolla touched up and redid his Adios Nonino and rewrote at least twenty more arrangements of the same tango. The song had no words and Piazzolla wanted it to continue that way. After his father’s death, he was inspired to return to Argentina and write more authentic music with his American experiences. Since he had no money for the trip, he sent Adiós Nonino to his publisher. His editor was ecstatic, calling him the jewel in the crown of tangos. Piazzolla then headed to Argentina.