Gens (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 in Messina, Italy |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Messina , Italy |
| Products | Pop music |
Gens, alternatively written as I Gens, was an Italian pop ensemble celebrated for tracks such as "In fondo al viale" and "Per chi".
Career
Originating in Messina in 1967 initially as a beat band, Gens gradually transitioned into a melodic pop genre. Their breakthrough occurred in 1968 when they secured victory at the with the song "In fondo al viale," which achieved sales exceeding 250,000 copies. The following year, after the passing of guitarist Gilberto Bruno, Mauro Culotta became a member of the group. In 1969, they earned third place at the Cantagiro Festival with the same hit, "In fondo al viale."
Gens participated in the main competition of the Sanremo Music Festival during 1970 and 1971, presenting "La stagione di un fiore" and "Lo schiaffo" respectively. From 1971 to 1972, lead vocalist Filiberto "William" Ricciardi was temporarily succeeded by Alberto Tadini, who recorded singles including "Lo schiaffo" and "Piccolo grande amore."
Their most notable commercial achievement was in 1972 with "Per chi," an adaptation of Badfinger’s "Without You," which won the Cantagiro Festival and climbed to number seven on Italy's music charts.
The band dissolved in 1974. Afterward, Ricciardi established Opera, while bassist Ettore Cardullo and keyboardist Pippo Landro went on to create La Nuova Gente. In the early 1990s, Gens briefly reformed with Enrico Bianchi stepping in as lead singer in place of Ricciardi.
Discography
- Albums
- 1974 - Gens (Philips, 6323 031)
- Singles
- 1968 - "In fondo al viale" (Det, dtp 40)
- 1969 - "Insieme a lei" (Det, dtp 47)
- 1970 - "La stagione di un fiore" (Det, dtp 53)
- 1970 - "Ancora e sempre" (Det, dtp 56)
- 1971 - "Lo schiaffo" (Amico, ZSLF 50168)
- 1972 - "Piccolo grande amore" (Amico, ZSLF 50272)
- 1972 - "Per chi" (Philips, 6025 056)
- 1972 - "Anche un fiore lo sa" (Philips, 6025 072)
- 1973 - "Cara amica mia" (Philips, 6025 089)
- 1974 - "Quanto freddo c'è (negli occhi tuoi)" (Philips, 6025 112)
- 1974 - "L'uomo nasce" (Philips, 6025 125)