Italy

Acqua Fragile

All images are copyrighted by their respective copyright owners.

Hailing from Parma, Acqua Fragile were a British-inspired progressive rock band, complete with English-language lyrics. Aided by PFM's management, the band opened for many UK groups touring Italy. Their second album saw release in the United States, however with a few personal changes, including the addition of the Trip's Joe Vescovi on keyboards and the departure of vocalist Berndardo Lanzetti to PFM, the band split.

Founded: 1971

Location: Parma, Italy

Website: Acqua Fragile Project - The Official Site

Tags:

Alphataurus

Relatively unknown Italian band released one eponymous album of excellent quality before dissolving. Second release is incomplete (no vocals).

Founded: 1973

Location: Milan, Italy

Website: Alphataurus - Italian Prog-Band

Tags:

Area

Self proclaimed "International POPular Group", Area were Italy's finest fusion band, featuring the unique vocals talents of Demetrio Stratos.

Founded: 1972

Location: Milan, Italy

Tags:

Arti & Mestieri

Led by drummer Furio Chirico (formerly of The Trip), keyboardist Beppe Crovella, and composer Gigi Venegoni, Arti e Mestieri were one of Italy's finest progressive rock bands. Their debut album Tilt is an undisputed classic.

Founded: 1974

Location: Torino, Italy

Website: arti&mestieri official web site

Tags:

Balletto di Bronzo, Il

Led by Gianni Leone, the band's second album stands as one of the finest and darkest prog rock albums from Italy.

Founded: 1966

Location: Naples, Italy

Website: YSLand - Il Balletto di Bronzo

Tags:

Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso

One of the great (and original) Italian prog bands, propelled by the keyboards of brothers Noncenzi and the tenor voice of Di Giacomo.

Founded: 1971

Location: Rome, Italy

Website: The Official BMS Home Page

Tags:

Battiato, Franco

One of the few "solo" artists from Italy, Sicilian Battiato has a long career, featuring his original and idiosyncratic music. His first two albums should appeal most to progressive music fans, however Sulle Corde di Aries and Clic are even more rewarding; Battiato employs musique concrete techniques to create a unique pastiche. The pair were compiled for international release by Island in 1974. At the time, Battiato performed as series of concerts in London, however an auto accident brought a premature return to Italy.

Founded: 1945

Location: Jonia, Catania, Sicily

Website: Franco Battiato | Official Website

Tags:

Biglietto per l'Inferno

Another classic of Italian Prog, Biglietto per L'Inferno (Ticket to Hell) recorded two albums, however only the first was released. Giuseppe Banfi would later record as Baffo Banfi for Klaus Schulze's IC label.

Founded: 1972

Location: Lecco, Lombardy, Italy

Website: Biglietto per l'Inferno - Official Site

Tags:

Castello di Atlante, Il

Although formed in 1974, Il Castello Di Atlante did not release any albums until the early 1990s. Beppe Crovella of Arti & Mestieri produced their first record, and the band continues strong as a potent live act today.

Founded: 1974

Location: Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy

Website: Il Castello di Atlante - Italian Progressive Rock since 1974

Tags:

Celeste

Relatively obscure group from Sanremo that released one eponymous album in 1976. Considered a classic, it was released on the Grog label.

Founded: 1976

Location: Sanremo, Liguria

Website: Myspace

Tags: