Vittorio Bianchi, 'King of the Cross,' has died

Vittorio Bianchi, known as the 'Real King of the Cross', has passed away at the age of 91. He died earlier this week, and many are paying tribute to him. Bianchi was the former owner of Piccolo Bar, a famous café in Sydney's Kings Cross that attracted many celebrities. Bianchi was born in Italy in 1934 and moved to Australia in the 1940s without knowing English. He bought Piccolo Bar in 1994, where he welcomed famous visitors like Jeff Buckley and Mel Gibson. He became a well-loved figure in the community, known for his laughter and stories about life as an immigrant and a gay man in Sydney. Piccolo Bar opened its doors in 1952 and became a popular spot for coffee enthusiasts. Bianchi operated it 24 hours a day, serving everyone from actors to drag queens. Today, the bar is run by David and Amy Spanton, who honored Bianchi's legacy and encouraged people to visit and celebrate his life. Many took to social media to share their memories of Bianchi. Some recalled how he was a kind and magnetic personality who impacted their lives. A GoFundMe page has been created to cover his memorial service and fulfill his wish for a cabaret farewell. The goal is to raise $17,500 for the ceremony, which reflects Bianchi's love for artists and the theatre.