I Gufi
| Industry | Music, Comedy |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 January 1963 |
| Headquarters | Milan , Italy |
| Products | Music albums, comedy performances |
I Gufi (also written as Gufi), translating to "The Owls," was an Italian ensemble known for blending music and comedy, gaining prominence mainly during the late 1960s.
Career
Originating in Milan around 1963–1964, the band made their initial appearance with the album "I Gufi cantano due secoli di Resistenza" ("The Owls sing Two Centuries of Resistance"). Their performances were characterized by a mixture of humorous sketches and songs featuring satire and dark humor. The group reached significant acclaim in 1966 through their production "Il teatrino dei Gufi" ("The Little Theater of the Owls"), which enjoyed extensive touring throughout Italy. That same year, they participated in multiple RAI television programs; however, some of their more risqué content was subject to censorship.
Following an accusation related to offensive language in the track "Sant’Antonio allu desertu" ("St. Anthony in the Desert"), from which they were ultimately cleared, the ensemble experienced further popularity between 1967 and 1969 with productions such as "Non so, non ho visto, se c'ero dormivo" ("I don't know, I didn't see anything, and if I was there, I was asleep") and "Non spingete, scappiamo anche noi" ("Don't push, we are running away too"). After releasing the 1971 album Il Balilla, internal disagreements led to the group's dissolution.
Throughout the subsequent decade, individual members embarked on solo ventures: Gianni Magni established himself as a notable stand-up comedian and actor; Nanni Svampa produced albums featuring Milanese dialect interpretations of Georges Brassens' songs; Lino Patruno specialized in jazz guitar, collaborating with artists including Dan Barrett, Bill Coleman, Bud Freeman, and Frank Tate; Roberto Brivio continued his involvement in theatre. In 1981, the group briefly reunited for the television series "I Gufi a colori," broadcast on Antenna 3 Lombardia.
Personnel
- Roberto Brivio (Milan, 21 February 1938 – 22 January 2021) – vocals, guitar, accordion
- Gianni Magni (Milan, 16 May 1941 – Milan, 16 July 1992) – vocals
- Lino Patruno (Crotone, 27 October 1935) – vocals, guitar, banjo, bass
- Nanni Svampa (Milan, 28 February 1938 – Varese, 26 August 2017) – vocals, guitar, piano
Discography
- Albums
- 1965 – Milano canta
- 1965 – Il cabaret dei Gufi
- 1965 – I Gufi cantano due secoli di resistenza
- 1966 – Il teatrino dei Gufi
- 1966 – I Gufi
- 1966 – Milano canta n° 2
- 1966 – Il teatrino dei Gufi n°. 2
- 1967 – Il cabaret dei Gufi n. 2
- 1967 – Il teatrino dei Gufi in TV
- 1967 – Non so non ho visto se c'ero dormivo
- 1968 – Milano canta n°. 3
- 1968 – Il cabaret dei Gufi, vol. 3
- 1969 – Non spingete, scappiamo anche noi
- 1971 – La Balilla
- 1981 – I Gufi