Gruppo Italiano were an Italian Italo disco band formed in 1980. They are best known for the song "Tropicana" that ranked sixth on the Italian hit parade in 1983.[1]

Gruppo Italiano
Gruppo Italiano in 1985; from left to right: Roberto "Bozo" Del Bo, Raffaella Riva, Chicco Santulli, Patrizia Di Malta och Gigi Folino
Background information
OriginItaly
Genres
Years active1980–1989
LabelsRicordi
Past members
  • Patrizia Di Malta
  • Raffaella Riva
  • Gigi Folino
  • Roberto "Bozo" Del Bo
  • Chicco Santulli

History edit

Gruppo Italiano was founded in 1980 when Roberto "Bozo" Del Bo and Chicco Santulli, upon returning to Italy from a four months stay in Los Angeles, California, decided to set up a band that would merge sophisticated musical ideas and humour. The group's best-known line-up comprised Patrizia Di Malta, Raffaella Riva, Gigi Folino, Del Bo and Santulli. In 1984 the group entered the main competition at the Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Anni Ruggenti",[2][3] that peaked at number 12 on hit parade.

Personnel edit

Principal members

  • Patrizia Di Malta – vocals
  • Raffaella Riva – vocals, percussion
  • Gigi Folino – bass
  • Roberto "Bozo" Del Bo – drums
  • Chicco Santulli – guitar

Discography edit

  • Maccherock (1982)
  • Tapioca manioca (1984)
  • Surf in Italy (1985)

Citations edit

Sources edit

  • Salvatori, Dario (1989). Storia dell'Hit Parade. Gramese. ISBN 8876054391.
  • Deregibus, Enrico (2010). Dizionario completo della Canzone Italiana. Giunti Editore. ISBN 978-8809756250.
  • Anselmi, Eddy (2009). Festival di Sanremo: almanacco illustrato della canzone italiana. Panini Comics. ISBN 978-8863462296.

External links edit