Rolling Stone: Berlusconi is ‘rock star of the year’

Rolling Stone has named Silvio Berlusconi its 'rock star of the year' in a tribute to the Italian prime minister's so-called rock'n'roll lifestyle. In its December issue, the Italian edition of Rolling Stone pays homage to Berlusconi's "lifestyle worthy of the greatest rock star" by making the Italian premier its cover star. The red, green and white painting of a smiling Berlusconi is by Shepard Fairey, who created the iconic poster of Barack Obama during last year's US presidential elections.

Berlusconi, 73, has weathered a turbulent year over his relations with an 18-year-old underwear model Noemi Letizia as well as allegations that he slept with several call girls, including Patrizia D'Addario, after a party. In May his second wife Veronica Lario demanded a divorce after photographs showing Berlusconi attending Letizia's 18th birthday party came to light.

Rolling Stone Italy's editor Carlo Antonelli said the magazine's editorial staff had been united in choosing Berlusconi. "This year the choice was unanimous, for his obvious merits due to a lifestyle for which the words 'rock and roll' fall short," Antonelli said. "Rod Stewart, Brian Jones, Keith Richards in their prime were schoolboys compared to him."

Antonelli denied that his magazine had any political agenda behind choosing media mogul Berlusconi. "We are far from favouring left or right... Silvio Berlusconi's daily behaviour, his furious vitality, his inimitable lifestyle have given him, especially this year, incredible international popularity," he said.

D'Addario has recounted her sexual encounters with Berlusconi in a book, which is published today. In Gradisca Presidente (translated as 'Prime minister, take your pleasure') she compares Berlusconi's home to a "harem" as she recalls numerous "lesbians and other escorts" at his parties. D'Addario, 42, also claims that she became the target of a string of attacks and threats after she released alleged recordings of her encounters with Berlusconi. ·