Righeira

Righeira

Company type	Duo
Industry	Music
Founded	1983 in Turin, Italy
Headquarters	Turin , Italy
Products	Music albums, singles

Righeira () was an Italian duo specializing in Italo disco, formed in Turin in 1983. The group comprised Johnson Righeira (lead vocals, keyboards) and Michael Righeira (backing vocals, keyboards, harmonica). While their origins lay in early Italo disco, their sound later incorporated elements of synth-pop, new wave, and eventually transitioned into electronic music and pop styles.

The two met at Albert Einstein Scientific High School before quickly securing record deals and releasing their debut album, Righeira (1983). This record included hits such as "Vamos a la playa" and "No tengo dinero", which established their reputation as a leading dance music duo. They followed up with another successful single, "L'estate sta finendo", winning the Festivalbar competition in 1985. Their sophomore album, Bambini Forever (1986), achieved less commercial success but featured standout tracks like "Italians a Go-Go" and "Innamoratissimo", the latter performed at the Sanremo Music Festival.

Throughout the 1980s, Righeira remained active, releasing their third album, Uno, Zero, Centomila (1992), before entering a seven-year hiatus. During this break, both members explored diverse musical styles influenced by Eurodance, rock, reggae, and Italo house. They reunited in 1999 with a refreshed electronic sound and a more playful image, re-recording classics like "Vamos a la playa" in 2001. Their fourth studio effort, Mondovisione (2007), met with moderate reception. After more than two decades together, the duo dissolved once again in 2016.

Over their career, Righeira produced four studio albums and numerous singles, achieving multi-million sales worldwide. They are recognized as one of the most pioneering acts within the Italo disco scene alongside producers such as La Bionda.

Origins and evolution of the name

Stefano Righi and Stefano Rota first crossed paths at Albert Einstein Scientific High School in Turin. Their musical collaboration began in the late 1970s under the moniker Righeira—a playful Brazilian-Portuguese adaptation of Righi’s surname coined during school football matches. By 1981, presenting themselves as Johnson and Michael Righeira, they adopted the concept of being "musical brothers," aiming to forge an identity that extended beyond mere friendship.

Solo ventures of Johnson Righeira

In 1980, Righi launched his solo career with the single "Bianca Surf", recorded at Italian Records Studios in Bologna, featuring contributions from local punk group Skiantos. Early iterations of their future hit "Vamos a la playa" were crafted during a 1981 studio session in Florence, where Righi composed its distinctive melody and lyrics using analog synthesizers. Drawing on post-atomic themes from the 1960s combined with electronic sounds, the track was finalized before both musicians commenced military service but was released later that spring.

As the song gained traction, military authorities permitted them to appear on television. Meanwhile, Rota performed under the alias "Italo Monitor," notably delivering an Italian rendition of Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft's "Der Mussolini," retitled "Balla Marinetti," paying homage to futurist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. During periods when Rota was unavailable due to military duties, Righi occasionally appeared with a stand-in for various European TV performances throughout 1983.

Partnership with La Bionda

At the start of their careers, neither Righi nor Rota had formal classical music education. Their experiences in graphic design and cinema influenced their concept of a contemporary Italian artist. Without prior production expertise in 1983, they joined forces with the accomplished Milan-based La Bionda brothers, Carmelo and Michelangelo, signing agreements that extended through 1987.

Although initially invited to host a television program because of their image, Righeira opted to concentrate exclusively on recording. Guided by La Bionda, they crafted a unique futuristic sound. Their first album, Righeira (1983), explored themes such as nuclear catastrophe, setting it apart from the disco-romantic style favored by their producers during the 1970s.

Righeira

During August and September 1983, Righeira laid down eight tracks for their debut record. While La Bionda initially contemplated recording in Munich, the final album embraced a contemporary electronic pop aesthetic. The lead single, "Vamos a la playa" (June 1983), reached number one on Italian charts and peaked at 53 in the UK.

The album's lyrics tackled topics such as governmental monitoring and hypermodernity, distinguishing it from conventional romantic songs. Their third single, "No tengo dinero", released in late 1983, achieved international acclaim and inspired similar Spanish productions. Written in Spanish to combine electronic pop with an unconventional language choice, it was distributed in the UK and US through A&M. Animated promotional videos for both singles were broadcast on Top of the Pops in September, enhancing their exposure despite limited live performances due to military service commitments.

This use of animation enabled Righeira to visually convey their postmodern-futuristic identity without appearing on camera.

The track "Luciano Serra pilota" was not issued as a single but enjoyed popularity in Italy. Drawing inspiration from the 1938 Italian war film Luciano Serra, Pilot, its animated video depicted the duo dressed as pilots aboard a biplane. This video has been interpreted as a "satire of fascist heroes," reinforcing their ironic and avant-garde persona.

Festivalbar

Released in May 1985, "L'estate sta finendo" swiftly climbed to number one on Italian charts for two consecutive weeks. The song later gained international recognition as a football chant, particularly at Liverpool F.C., where it is famously known as "Allez Allez Allez". Righeira performed this track at the Un disco per l'estate festival and secured victory at the Festivalbar competition in 1985. Although its title suggests summer's conclusion, the single debuted at the beginning of summer and became Italy’s most frequently played jukebox song that season. Co-written by Righi, Rota, and Carmelo La Bionda, the inspiration for the song came from Righi during a tram journey.

In 1985, Rota made an appearance on the Italian television variety show Drive In aired on Italia 1, featuring in a sketch alongside comedian Enrico Beruschi.

Sanremo Music Festival

In 1986, Righeira took part in the 36th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Innamoratissimo", securing the fifteenth position among twenty-two competitors. Despite their limited experience performing live, critics commended their electronic sound and compelling stage presence. The track, produced by La Bionda, renowned for influencing disco trends, reinforced their commitment to electronic music. Righi later described their participation at Sanremo as a pivotal moment in their professional journey.

Bambini Forever

Released on 23 June 1986, Righeira's sophomore album, Bambini Forever, was the final project produced by La Bionda. Carmelo La Bionda revealed that although there was an intention to create another album together, the collaboration ended as the duo aimed to take control of production themselves. He later admitted this decision was a misstep, as Righeira relocated near Venice and began working with new programmers independently.

Rimini Rimini and Zecchino d'Oro

In 1987, Righeira unveiled the single "Rimini Splash Down," co-written alongside La Bionda and Raffaella Riva from the Italo disco group Gruppo Italiano. This song served as the theme for the anthology comedy film Rimini Rimini, directed by Sergio Corbucci. Additionally, Gruppo Italiano collaborated with Righeira and included a cover of their 1985 hit "L'estate sta finendo" on their album Surf in Italy.

That year also saw Righeira perform "Annibale" at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Zecchino d'Oro singing contest.

1988–1992: Waning Popularity and Initial Disbandment

On 4 September 1988, Righeira appeared live at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Canada, performing selections from both Righeira and Bambini Forever, their 1988 single "Compañero," along with a rendition of Patrick Hernandez's "Born to Be Alive."

The year 1990 brought the release of "Ferragosto," a dance track that fused early influences with modern Italo house sounds. During this period, they also performed "Vamos a la playa" on the television show C'era una volta il festival, which featured prominent artists from the 1980s.

Their 1992 album Uno, Zero, Centomila incorporated house music elements in songs such as "Vivo al 139." Shortly following this release, Righi and Rota parted ways for the first time, marking the duo’s initial split.

1992–1999: Break and Individual Endeavors

In November 1993, Righi was detained at a party in Padua on charges related to drug possession and trafficking, resulting in five months of incarceration before his release. He later reflected on this period as a personal downfall supported by his fellow inmates.

During the mid-1990s, Rota initiated the Gloria Mundi project alongside songwriters Franco Battiato and Giusto Pio, continuing until Righeira’s fourth album emerged. Concurrently, Righi collaborated with Italian duo Montefiori Cocktail on the track "Papalla," which gained recognition within Italy’s nascent lounge music scene.

1999–2016: Reunion and Subsequent Separation

After a seven-year break, Righi and Rota reunited in 1999 to restart their musical collaboration. They issued an eight-track EP titled EP 2002 within Italy.

On 2 February 2007, they released Mondovisione, featuring the single "La musica electronica," which became Righeira’s final single release. In August of that year, they contributed to launching the radio show L'estate sta finendo on R101 radio station. Around this time, Righi also participated in urban cinema projects including the film Pink Forever, directed by Davide Scovazzo.

The documentary Tanzen mit Righeira, directed by Alessandro Castelletto in 2008, documented their career spanning from the early 1980s through their latest album.

On 13 June 2011, Italian rock band Subsonica released "La funzione," crediting collaboration with Righeira.

The duo dissolved once more in 2016 after seventeen years together; while Righi announced the separation, Rota planned to move to Thiene in northern Italy’s Province of Vicenza.

2010s

Following their second split in 2016, the rapport between Righi and Rota deteriorated significantly. In August 2020, when questioned about the possibility of Rota participating in an interview, Righi remarked, "I doubt he will agree, but if he chooses to, I won't refuse him."

2020s

In 2020, Righi established his own music label named Kottolengo Recordings, situated in Canavese, Italy.

On 23 July 2021, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original release, Righi issued a revamped electro-kraut rock edition of "Vamos a la playa," remixed by producer Gaudi.

Musical style and evolution

Righeira's sound is chiefly characterized as Italo disco, with strong influences from new wave and synth-pop electronic music. Throughout their career, the duo also ventured into various genres such as Eurodance, rock, reggae, and Italo house.

Inspirations

Among their early inspirations were Gipo Farassino and Filippo Tommaso Marinetti.

La Bionda's role

Carmelo La Bionda shared his reflections on collaborating with Righeira:

Impact and legacy

Righeira attracted a youthful fanbase not only due to their chart-topping tracks but also because of their distinctive visual identity, including their early use of fake mustaches reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin.

Members

Core members

• Johnson Righeira – vocals, keyboards (1983–1992, 1999–2016)
• Michael Righeira – vocals, keyboards, harmonica (1983–1992, 1999–2016)

Albums

• Righeira (1983)
• Bambini Forever (1986)
• Uno, Zero, Centomila (1992)
• Mondovisione (2007)

Selected film works

Documentaries and live recordings

• Tanzen mit Righeira (2008)