The Italian Beat Music in the 60s: any fans?

Yes, in the UK there were The Beatles but here in Italy during the 60s we had a lot of beat band and perhaps someone on this board could find this topic interesting...

Many Italian beat songs were cover of songs written abroad; but, nevertheless, I think it's worth taking a listen because the reconstruction of the instrumental part and the use of the Italian language give to these songs a special touch.

First songs that come to mind:

"Una Bambolina Che Fà No No No" original song by i Quelli (yes i Quelli was really a legendary band here in Italy: this band was the embryo of the band that later would be called Premiata Forneria Marconi..)

"Sole Giallo Sole Nero" original song by Formula Tre

"29 Settembre" original song by Equipe 84


...new songs will come, based on the success that this thread would have..

 

Ciao, Stefano. I always remember Adriano Celentano's rendition of the Little Richard classic Ready Teddy from La Dolce Vita.

 

Little Tony & His Brothers

 

Ciao, Italy greets California!!

 

Francoise is French but the Italian version swings much harder.

 

"Walk Away Renee" by Formula Tre (it's a cover: the original song was written by the band The Left Banke): based on my opinion, this version is the best ever recorded.

"Piccola Katy" original song by i Pooh

 

Oh? Are the unfortunately-named I Pooh a good band ? I recently discovered three of their LPs in my collection (along with about 40 other Italian records).

 

Well: if by chance in your collection there is also the first Italian pressing of the album "Contrasto", then you are a lucky record collector: just take a look here...

 

I don't believe that it's that one, I'd need to check where I've put them now :-(

 

I've got one, which appears to be a promo called «Viva».

 

This album was a commercial success, but it is outside the Italian beat period of the 60s: it's a pop music album.

 

"Il Vento dell'Est" original song by Gian Pieretti; Jack Kerouac (yes: that Jack Kerouac) was a fan and friend of Gian Pieretti.

 

Jimmy Fontana Twist #9

 

Gianni Marandi ~ Go-Kart Twist

 

"Una Chiesa Vuota" original song by Gli Aspidi

"Donna Felicità" original song by I Nuovi Angeli

 

Italian Girl Singers of the 60s

http://www.amazon.com/Ciao-Bella-It...TF8&qid=1436267370&sr=1-1&keywords=ciao+bella

 

That is as to say "Jukebox nostalgia"...

 

This is a good collection if you like the later '60s with a harder rock edge (Somebody To Love). The title is a little misleading.

 

It's a compilation released in the USA: it is curious to note that no Italian record label became involved in a similar initiative. I often think that Italian music is more appreciated abroad than here in Italy ...

 

You can get this very reasonably priced 3CD box set released by Sony Music last year, "Erano gli anni del beat italiano", that mixes big hits and obscurities from the beat era.



Many songs are cover versions in Italian ("You Were On My Mind", "California Dreamin'", "Blackberry Way", the Beatles' "I Should Have Known Better" and more), but there are some worthy original tunes as well... you can have a preview of each song on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/erano-gli-anni-del-beat-italiano/id672521327