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.

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 (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"