Litfiba

First one of the leading names of Italian new wave, then one of the most successful mainstream rock acts, doubtless Litfiba has been the most important Italian band between the 1980s and 1990s -- and one of the most influential, too. Not only have they played a pivotal role in the birth of a solid Italian indie scene, but after their commercial breakthrough they've been fundamental in bringing rock music back to the highest notches of the charts. And, although singer Piero Pelù's departure in 1999 somehow put an end to the band's magic moment, their lesson is still learned by heart by many young rock bands trying to conjugate a rock attitude with commercial ambitions. Litfiba formed in Florence in 1980, their name being an acronym for Località (i.e. locality), Italia, Firenze, via de' Bardi (the street in which their first rehearsing room was located). The first lineup comprised former Café Caracas guitarist Federico "Ghigo" Renzulli, bassist Gianni Maroccolo, Antonio Aiazzi on keyboards, and Francesco Calamai on drums, soon to be replaced by Renzo Franchi. With the arrival of singer Piero Pelù, the band played its first concert on December 8, 1980, the day John Lennon was shot dead. Their first release was 1982's EP Guerra, followed in 1983 by the single "Luna" and the soundtrack to Krypton Company's theatrical pièce Eneide. With new drummer Ringo de Palma (real name: Luca de Benedictis) Litfiba recorded in 1984 an EP including their rendition of David Bowie's "Yassassin" along with an original composition, "Elettrica Danza," and the cassette-only Live in Berlin. Their first album, Desaparecido, was released in 1985 by Florence-based IRA, whose owner, Alberto Pirelli, was to become Litfiba's regular producer and then manager. Considered one of the most important debuts...