I Cugini di Campagna ("The Countryside Cousins") is an Italian pop band formed in 1970 in Rome. They are well known for the use of

falsetto ''Falsetto'' (, ; Italian diminutive of , "false") is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous ed ...

and for their eccentric look, a cross between glam and kitsch.

Background

The band achieved some success with its first single, "Il ballo di Peppe", that was launched by the radio-program '' Alto Gradimento'' in 1970. In 1973 the band gained more success with the song " Anima mia", then they achieved a series of commercial hits until the early eighties. After a difficult period the band resurfaced in 1997, with a new lineup, thanks to the RAI TV-show ''Anima mia'', whose success lead to the rediscovery of their eponymous song and the band as a whole. "Anima mia" was covered by numerous artists, including

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singer

Anni-Frid Lyngstad Princess Anni-Frid Synni Reuss, Countess of Plauen (born Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad on 15 November 1945), also known by her nickname "Frida", is a Norwegian-born Swedish singer, songwriter and environmentalist, who is best known as one of the foun ...

(as "Ett liv i solen", included in her album ''

Frida ensam ''Frida ensam'' ( en, Frida Alone) is the second studio album by Swedish singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad. It was first released by Polar Music in 1975 while Lyngstad was a member of the pop group ABBA and produced by her then-fiancé and fellow ABBA mem ...

''), Dalida,

Bobby Rydell Robert Louis Ridarelli (April 26, 1942 – April 5, 2022), known by the stage name Bobby Rydell, was an American singer and actor who mainly performed rock and roll and traditional pop music. In the early 1960s he was considered a teen idol. His ...

, Claudio Baglioni,

Piergiorgio Farina Piergiorgio Farina (25 April 1933 – 28 July 2008) was an Italian jazz violinist, composer and singer. Career Born Piergiorgio Farinelli in Goro, Ferrara, Farina was the cousin of the singer Milva. He started his career performing in Emilia-Ro ...

, Gianni Meccia. Since then Cugini di Campagna have produced a series of albums, containing both re-arranged versions of their earlier hits as well as new material. On 4 December 2022, it was officially announced their participation in the

Sanremo Music Festival 2023 The Sanremo Music Festival 2023 ( it, 73º Festival della Canzone Italiana di Sanremo 2023) is the upcoming 73rd edition of the annual Sanremo Music Festival, a television song contest held in the Teatro Ariston of Sanremo, organised and broadc ...

. "Lettera 22" was later announced as their entry for the Sanremo Music Festival 2023.

Band Members

Current members

* Ivano Michetti (1970–present) - guitar * Silvano Michetti (1970–present) - drums * Tiziano Leonardi (2012–present) - bass * Nick Luciani (1994–2014; 2021–present), vocals

Former members

* (1970–1977) - vocals * Gianni Fiori (1970–1972) - keyboards * Giorgio Brandi (1973–1996) - keyboards *

Paul Manners Paul Manners (born 27 September 1953) is a British singer, musician, composer and producer best known for being the vocalist of the Italian pop band I Cugini di Campagna from 1978 to 1985. He is the founder and leader of Grammar School, a rock b ...

(1978–1985) - vocals * Marco Occhetti, aka Kim (1986–1994) - vocals * Luca Storelli (1997–2011) - keyboards * Daniel Colangeli (2015–2021) - vocals

Discography

;Selected singles * 1970 – "Il ballo di Peppe" * 1972 – "Un letto e una coperta"/"L'uva è nera" * 1973 – " Anima mia" * 1973 – "Solo con te" * 1974 – "Innamorata" * 1974 – "Un'altra donna" * 1975 – "64 anni" * 1975 – "Preghiera" * 1976 – "È lei" * 1977 – "Conchiglia bianca" * 1977 – "Tu sei tu"/"Donna" * 1978 – "Dentro l'anima" * 1979 – "Meravigliosamente" * 1980 – "No tu no" * 1981 – "Valeria" * 1982 – "Uomo mio" * 1985 – "Che cavolo d'amore" * 1998 – "Amor mio" * 2002 – "Vita della mia vita" * 2006 – "Sapessi quanto" * 2011 – "Mi manchi tu" * 2023 – "Lettera 22"

References

External links

Official website
*
Discogs.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cugini di Campagna Musical groups established in 1970 Italian pop music groups Musical groups from Rome