Ricchi e Poveri counts 12 participations in Sanremo between 1970 and 1992, and represented Italy in the Eurovision song contest 1978 with one of this blogger's favorites, Questo amore. It didn't go that well home with the European jurors (12th) but in the 1980's they scored several hits in Europe and selling millions of records. In the 2000's they enjoy fame and success in Russia and the region. Originally they were a quartet Angela, Angelo, Franco and Marina, but when apparently Marina was getting a bit too close to Angela's hubby she was sacked and the trio went on without her and do so even today, after 46 years (and even more if you count the years before adopting this name and first success).
Their biggest hit no doubt is Sará perche ti amo, that failed to win Sanremo but was a worldwide hit also in Spanish version by them selling over 7 million copies, and counts dozens of cover versions in various languages. What if Italy had sent that to Eurovision in 1981 when they didn't participate? Also in 1985 when they won Sanremo Italy didn't participate but their Se m'innamoro would have been an awesome entry! Other hits include Mamma Maria, Piccolo amore, Come vorrei, Voulez vous dancer and Ciao Italy, ciao amore. Their latest single is Perdutamente amore.
The trio returned to recording studio in 2012 and released their 18th album after 14 years break including some new songs and new versions of their biggest hits. Meanwhile they have been touring the globe with success performing their classics. In 2013 they were invited back to Sanremo to receive an award for the career, but they had to cancel - Franco's 22-year-old son was found dead the night before.
Here ae their Sanremo songs: 1970 La prima cosa bella (2.), 1971 Che sará (2.), 1972 Un diadema di ciliegie (11.), 1973 Dolce frutto (4.), 1976 Due storie di musicanti (13.), 1981 Sará perche ti amo (4.), 1985 Se m'innamoro (winner), 1987 Canzone d'amore (7.), 1988 Nascerá Gesú (9.), 1989 Chi voglio sei tu (8.), 1990 Buona giornata (finalist), 1992 Cosi lontani (non finalist)
This blogger has always a special place for this group in his heart; thanks to them I started learning Italian!
Franco Gatti, the Moustache, turns 71 today, happy birthday! Auguri!
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