I Cugini di Campagna
# I Cugini di Campagna

I Cugini di Campagna ("The Countryside Cousins") is an Italian pop band formed in 1970 in Rome. They are well known for the use of falsetto and for their eccentric look, a cross between glam and kitsch.

## Background

The band achieved some success with its first single, "Il ballo di Peppe", that was launched by the radio-program Alto Gradimento in 1970. In 1973 the band gained more success with the song "Anima mia", then they achieved a series of commercial hits until the early eighties. After a difficult period the band resurfaced in 1997, with a new lineup, thanks to the RAI TV-show Anima mia, whose success lead to the rediscovery of their eponymous song and the band as a whole.

"Anima mia" was covered by numerous artists, including ABBA singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad (as "Ett liv i solen", included in her album Frida ensam), Dalida, Bobby Rydell, Claudio Baglioni, Piergiorgio Farina, Gianni Meccia.

Since then Cugini di Campagna have produced a series of albums, containing both re-arranged versions of their earlier hits as well as new material.

On 4 December 2022, it was officially announced their participation in the Sanremo Music Festival 2023. "Lettera 22" was later announced as their entry for the Sanremo Music Festival 2023.

## Band Members

### Current members

* Ivano Michetti (1970–present) - guitar
* Silvano Michetti (1970–present) - drums
* Tiziano Leonardi (2012–present) - bass
* Nick Luciani (1994–2014; 2021–present), vocals

### Former members

* Flavio Paulin [it] (1970–1977) - vocals
* Gianni Fiori (1970–1972) - keyboards
* Giorgio Brandi (1973–1996) - keyboards
* Paul Manners (1978–1985) - vocals
* Marco Occhetti, aka Kim (1986–1994) - vocals
* Luca Storelli (1997–2011) - keyboards
* Daniel Colangeli (2015–2021) - vocals

## Discography

### Selected singles

* 1970 – "Il ballo di Peppe"
* 1972 – "Un letto e una coperta"/"L'uva è nera"
* 1973 – "Anima mia"
* 1973 – "Solo con te"
* 1974 – "Innamorata"
* 1974 – "Un'altra donna"
* 1975 – "64 anni"
* 1975 – "Preghiera"
* 1976 – "È lei"
* 1977 – "Conchiglia bianca"
* 1977 – "Tu sei tu"/"Donna"
* 1978 – "Dentro l'anima"
* 1979 – "Meravigliosamente"
* 1980 – "No tu no"
* 1981 – "Valeria"
* 1982 – "Uomo mio"
* 1985 – "Che cavolo d'amore"
* 1998 – "Amor mio"
* 2002 – "Vita della mia vita"
* 2006 – "Sapessi quanto"
* 2011 – "Mi manchi tu"
* 2023 – "Lettera 22"
