Shampoo (parody band)
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Giorgio Verdelli |
| Headquarters | Naples , Italy |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Shampoo was an Italian tribute and parody ensemble originating from Naples, primarily active during the early 1980s, recognized for their satirical take on the Beatles.
Background and career
The group Shampoo was established in 1978 by radio personality and DJ Giorgio Verdelli for a Neapolitan radio program. Their formation followed a humorous announcement by Corrado Ferlaino, chairman of S.S.C. Napoli, who jokingly declared a Beatles reunion to commemorate the club’s UEFA Cup triumph over Liverpool F.C.. The band’s name derived from their debut track "Si ‘e llave tu" (“If you wash it”), which spoofed “She Loves You” using Neapolitan dialect lyrics about an unattractive girl enhancing her appearance by washing her hair. Their musical arrangements closely replicated the Beatles’ original compositions, positioning Shampoo more as a tribute group rather than creators of original pastiches like the British act The Rutles. The lyrics were fully adapted into the Neapolitan dialect, abundant with local slang, rendering them largely unintelligible outside Naples but significantly contributing to the group’s popularity—drawing an audience of approximately 150,000 listeners to the supposed “Beatles” reunion broadcast.
After performing several live gigs in Naples, noted Italian pop arranger Vince Tempera facilitated a contract with EMI Italy for Shampoo. In 1980, they released their sole official album, In Naples 1980/81, a detailed Beatles parody featuring lyrics centered on suburban life in Naples and vivid local characters. Notable exceptions include “Si fosse 'o re” (“If I were the king”), a heartfelt reinterpretation of “Because”, and “So' fesso” (“I'm stupid”), which partially parodied “No Reply”. The album’s title and cover art parodied The Beatles 1962-1966 (“Red Album”), with Shampoo photographed on the EMI Italy stairwell emulating the Beatles’ famous image and featuring a red tomato label as a spoof of Apple Records. The album attained moderate success within Italy, aided by television appearances in 1981.
Disbanding and later history
The band officially disbanded after 1981 but reunited in 2001 for performances throughout central and southern Italy. They came together again for the 2003 “Beatles Day” event in Brescia and once more in 2006 to mark the forty-fifth anniversary of “Love Me Do”, performing live in Rome alongside other Italian artists. In 2009, original members Massimo D'Alessio ("Lennon" guitarist/vocalist) and Costantino Iaccarino ("McCartney" bassist/guitarist/vocalist) formed Shampoo Plus or SH+, joined by Iaccarino's brother Mario on lead guitar. Although an official website announced plans for a new album containing twelve parodies and rewrites, it was never released. SH+ produced two videos parodying "Hey Jude" and "The Long and Winding Road" performed in Neapolitan with a more earnest style, showcasing all twelve tracks during live shows from 2008 to 2009. These videos were available on their MySpace page until April 2012. In Naples 1980/81 continues to enjoy popularity among Italian Beatles enthusiasts and collectors.
Personnel
- Pasquale "Lino" D'Alessio [credited as "Ringo Bar"] – drums, percussion, additional guitar
- Costantino Iaccarino [credited as "Paul M'Angart", meaning Paul I Go Wrong in Neapolitan] – lead/backing vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards
- Massimo D'Alessio [credited as "George Rissone", i.e. George Rowdy] – lead/backing vocals, guitars, keyboards
- Giuseppe "Pino" De Simone [credited as "John Lenton", referencing Lennon’s glasses] – lead/backing vocals, guitars
- Producer: Giorgio Verdelli
- Arranger and musical director: Vince Tempera
The Beatles-inspired pseudonyms appeared exclusively in the original vinyl liner notes and were omitted from subsequent reissues.
Albums
- In Naples 1980/81, EMI 3C-064-18517 (1981; remastered CD edition 1995 EMI 0724383606528-I) – This CD release contains a booklet featuring complete lyrics and detailed annotations not included in the original vinyl version.
- "N'omme 'e niente" (A meaningless man) – a parody of "Nowhere Man"
- "Che guaio sì tu" (What a nuisance are you) – a spoof of "Please Please Me"
- "Coccosa’e cchiù" (Something more) – a reinterpretation/parody of "From Me to You"
- "Si ’e llave tu" (If you wash your hair) – a comedic take on "She Loves You"
- "So’ fesso" (I’m stupid) – a parody/rewrite of "No Reply"
- "Tengh’ ’e guaie" (I’ve got trouble) – a spoof of "Tell Me Why"
- "Chist’ è ’o Scià" (This is the Shah, meaning the goon) – a parody of "Twist and Shout"
- "Pepp’" (a diminutive for Giuseppe) – a humorous version of "Help!"
- "Si fosse ’o re" (If I were the king) – an adaptation of "Because"
- "Si scinne abbasce ’o night" (If you come down to the nightclub) – a parody of "A Hard Day's Night"
- "’E zizze" (Tits) – a spoof of "Day Tripper"
7-inch singles
- “She Loves You (Si ‘e llave tu)”, EMI 3C-006-18515 (1981)
- “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”/“When I Feel Blue”, Cheyenne Records CY 551 (1985)
Other appearances
Gli italiani cantano i Beatles (Mercury, 1995), a compilation album featuring Italian artists covering and parodying Beatles songs; Shampoo contributes with “N'omme 'e niente” (“Nowhere Man”).