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Area - International POPular Group, most commonly known as Area or AreA, was formed in 1972 by charismatic Greek singer Demetrio Stratos, who sadly died of cancer in 1979 at the age of only 35.

One of the most important progressive rock bands to come from Italy, founded in Rome in 1969, and centering around the virtuoso dual keyboard work of the Nocenzi brothers, Gianni and Vittorio.

Another of the three major RPI groups, Le Orme (The Footprints) was founded in Marghera, near Venice, in 1966, and are still active.

Uomo di pezza = rag man

I Giganti was formed in Milan in 1964, and was one of the most successful beat groups in Italy during the sixties.

They made the transition to progressive rock, released "Terra in Bocca", a half electric, half acoustic Italian rock opera, and promptly broke up.

Alphataurus was formed in 1970 in Milan, and disbanded in 1973; one of the many unknown Italian bands who suddenly had a recording deal, made a great album, and promptly disappeared into oblivion (in typical RPI fashion).

From the northern city of Varese, northwest of Milan, De De Lind was founded in 1969, the band named after Playboy's Miss August 1967.

They had this one release, the too long LP titles translates as "I Don't Know Where I'm From And I Don't Know Where I'll Ever Go. Man is the name they gave me."

Cimitero Di Guerra = war cemetery

Campo di Marte (named after a quarter of Florence) was founded in Florence in 1971, and disbanded before their only LP was even released.

Il Paese Dei Balocchi (The Land of Toys) was founded in Rome in 1971, realized one LP, then disbanded in 1974.

Canzone della speranza = song of hope

Semiramis was a teenagers five-piece band from Rome, formed in 1970, released one LP in 1973, and broke up in 1974. The singer was only 16. The band's name "Semiramis" comes from Assyrian legend.

La Bottega Del Rigattiere = Second Hand Shop

Raccomandata Con Ricevuta Di Ritorno (often abbreviated RRR) was founded in Rome in 1972. Like so many other RPI groups, they vanished after releasing one record.

Raccomandata Con Ricevuta Di Ritorno = Registered mail with return receipt (typically a long and random RPI name)

Sogni Di Cristallo = crystal dreams

Montefeltro originated in the early 1990s, taking its name from the Duke Frederico of Montefeltro.

Il tempo di far la fantasia = make your imagination run wild

Il prescelto = the chosen one

Premiata Forneria Marconi (Award-Winning Marconi Bakery), founded in Milan in 1970, is probably the most successful RPI group, and is still active even through they have changed musical direction.

They released 2 LPs in 1972; this is their 2nd.

To break into the western market, PFM recorded several English versions of their LPs. This was the first, mostly reworking of older songs. The title track "Photos of Ghosts" was an English reworking of "Per Un Amico".

Perigeo was founded in Rome in 1971, and managed to release 8 studio and 3 live records before disbanding in 1981. Their music is closer to jazz that most other RPI groups. All the Perigeo members have had long careers as session men.

Abbiamo tutti un Blues da piangere ~ we all have to cry the blues

Non C'e' Tempo Da Perdere = no time to lose

Maxophone, from Milan, formed in 1973 as a six-piece with an unusual assortment of instruments, due to their past experience as music students. Their one LP was released in 1975 and went largely unnoticed.

They recorded an English version of the LP, but it did not lead to any success. The original Italian version is considered better.

Al mancato compleanno di una farfalla = to the missed birthday of a butterfly

Quella Vecchia Locanda (that old inn) from Rome, released 2 LPs during their time from 1970-1974.

Museo Rosenbach was founded in Bordighera in 1971. They released the Zarathustra LP and then disbanded in 1974.

Conqueror was founded in Santa Teresa di Riva, Sicily in 1994. This track is from their most recent release in 2019.

“Il Bacio Della Medusa” (Medusa's Kiss) was founded in Perugia in 2002. This is from their 2nd release from 2008, "Discesa agl'inferi d'un giovane amante" (Descent to the underworld of a young lover).

Lagartija are a 5-piece band from Piacenza, formed in 2008. This is from their debut. The band members come from diverse musical backgrounds which flavors their music well. All claim affection for progressive rock and Radiohead.

Deus Ex Machina had their first release in 1991. Devoto is their most recent, from 2016.

The title track to their 4th release ("The Island of Nothing"), from 1974. They also released an English version with the same track listing, called "The world became the world" with lyrics by Pete Sinfield.