ITALY: WHEN 3 BECOME 2 - RICCHI E POVERI CONTINUE AS DUO

Ricchi e Poveri will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in business next year but since few months the trio has become a duo, when Franco Gatti (74) decided to leave the group he was part for over 48 years.

"I don't have the age anymore to travel all over the world. And since the death of my son it just hasn't been the same"

The other member Angela and Angelo fully understand and go on as duo.

Franco's son, only 22.year-old, was found dead the night before Sanremo 2013 where the group was due to perform and accept an award for their musical career. In the funeral the trio became quartet once more, as also Marina was present.

Ricchi e Poveri was founded as singing group back in 1967 in Genoa, north-west of Italy. Originally a quartet including Franco Gatti, Angela Brambati, Angelo Sorgiu and Marina Occhiena came to spotlight in 1968 and several Sanremo appearences in the early 1970's (with classics like Che sarà) made them household name in Italy.

In 1978 they represented Italy at the Eurovision song contest with Questo amore, and in 1981 scored an European wide hit with Sará perche ti amo, from that year's Sanremo festival. Just before Sanremo Marina leaves the group - apparently after a cat fight with Angela over a man, but the trio's success continues with M'innamoro di te all over Europe. In 1985 they finally win Sanremo with Se m'innamoro.

In the 1990's they toured the world from Albania to Australia and from South America to Georgia. And finally in the 2000's they have been very popular in Russia and Eastern Europe with tours and sold out concerts.

Add some reality television at home, various life time awards and hommages and even a musical based on their songs..... Over 20 million reords sold, 12 Sanremos with one victory and two second places.

The story's not over yet.

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