Ricchi e Poveri

by Yuri German
 
Italy's Ricchi e Poveri (The Rich and the Poor) was formed as a vocal band in 1967 by Franco Gatti (born on October 4, 1945, in Genoa), Angela Brambati (born on October 20, 1949, in Genoa), Angelo Sotgiu (born on February 22, 1947, in Trinita d'Agultu), and Marina Occhiena (born on March 10, 1959, in Genoa). In 1970 and 1971, they won second prizes at the Sanremo festival with the songs &La Prima Cosa Bella& and &Che Sarà,& becoming one of Italy's most popular groups. In the 1980s, after Occhiena had left the band, the remaining three shifted toward a more lightweight, dance-oriented music. One of Sanremo's regulars, Ricchi e Poveri finally won first prize in 1985 with &Se M'Innamoro.&