Premiata Forneria Marconi -

Premiata Forneria Marconi — commonly known by the acronym PFM — are an Italian symphonic-rock band from Milano, Lombardia, formed in 1970. The band released four albums and a live disc on Numero Uno between 1972 and 1975, followed by two further titles on Zoo Records during the latter half of the decade. After a two-volume live collaboration with singer–songwriter Fabrizio De André, PFM returned to Numero Uno for another round of albums during the 1980s.

Members: Franco Mussida (guitar, vocals, 1970-2015), Franz Di Cioccio (drums, vocals), Flavio Premoli (keyboards, vocals, 1970-79, 1995-present), Mauro Pagani (vocals, flute, violin, 1970-75), Giorgio Piazza (bass, vocals, 1970-73), Patrick Djivas (bass, vocals, 1973-present), Bernardo Lanzetti (vocals, rhythm guitar, 1975-78), Gregory Bloch (violin, 1977), Lucio “Violino” Fabbri (violin, keyboards, 1979-87, 2001-present), Walter Calloni (drums, 1982-87)

Background

Premiata Forneria Marconi evolved from beatsters I Quelli, which issued numerous singles on Ricordi between 1965 and 1969, culminating in a self-titled album. In 1970, three Quelli members — guitarist/singer Franco Mussida, keyboardist Flavio Premoli, and drummer Franz di Cioccio — teamed with I Dalton violinist Mauro Pagani and session bassist Giorgio Piazza (Fabrizio De Andrē, Lucio Battisti).

At Pagani’s suggestion, the new band named itself Forneria Marconi, Italian for “Marconi Bakery.” Producer Alessandro Colombini, an associate of the band, insisted they affix the word Premiata (“Award-winning”) to the nameplate.

In June 1971, PFM was one of three winners (along with Osanna and Mia Martini) at the first Festival d’Avanguardia e Nuove Tendenze, a talent festival held in Viareggio. Their prize was a contract with Numero Uno, an Italian division of RCA Records. They issued their first single, “La Carrozza di Hans” (b/w “Impressioni di Settembre”), that October. It’s notable as the first charting Italian record to feature the Minimoog synthesizer, which Premoli demonstrated that year on an RAI television broadcast.

Storia di un Minuto

Premiata Forneria Marconi released their debut album, Storia di un Minuto, in January 1972 on Numero Uno.

Per un Amico

Premiata Forneria Marconi released their second album, Per un Amico, in November 1972 on Numero Uno.

Photos of Ghosts

In October 1973, Manticore released Photos of Ghosts, an English-language version of Per un Amico with lyrics by Peter Sinfield. The album also includes a new instrumental, “Old Rain.”

L’isola di Niente

Premiata Forneria Marconi released their third proper album, L’isola di Niente, in March 1974 on Numero Uno.

The World Became the World

In June 1974, Manticore released The World Became the World, an English-language version of L’isola di Niente.

Cook / Live in U.S.A.

In late 1974, Manticore released Cook, a live album culled from PFM’s recent US tour.

Cook appeared in the UK, France, German, Japan, and North America. In Italy, Numero Uno released the songs with different cover art as Live in U.S.A., which also appeared in South America on RCA.

Chocolate Kings

PFM released their fourth studio album, Chocolate Kings, in September 1975 on Numero Uno. It’s their first of two albums with original English vocals by Bernardo Lanzetti.

In 1976, Chocolate Kings appeared on Manticore (UK) and Asylum (US).

Jet Lag

PFM released their fifth album, Jet Lag, in early 1977 on Zoo (Italy).

International Jet Lag copies on Manticore (UK, Europe) and Asylum (US) have different cover art.

Passpartù

PFM released their sixth album, Passpartù, in 1978 on Zoo.

In concerto – Arrangiamenti PFM (live, 1979 • Fabrizio De André con PFM

In concerto – Arrangiamenti PFM, Vol. 2 (live, 1980 • Fabrizio De André con PFM)

Suonare suonare

Premiata Forneria Marconi released their seventh studio album, Suonare suonare, in 1980 on Numero Uno.

Come ti va in riva alla città

Premiata Forneria Marconi released their eighth studio album, Come ti va in riva alla città, in 1981 on Numero Uno.

Performance

In 1982, PFM released the live double-album Performance on Numero Uno.

PFM? PFM!

PFM released their ninth studio album, PFM? PFM!, in 1984 on Numero Uno.

Miss Baker

Premiata Forneria Marconi released their tenth studio album, Miss Baker, in 1987 on Ricordi.

Discography:

Storia di un Minuto (1972)
Per un Amico (1972)
L’isola di Niente (1974)
Live in U.S.A. (live, 1974)
Chocolate Kings (1975 • PFM)
Jet Lag (1977 • PFM)
Passpartù (1978 • PFM)
In concerto – Arrangiamenti PFM (live, 1979 • Fabrizio De André con PFM
In concerto – Arrangiamenti PFM, Vol. 2 (live, 1980 • Fabrizio De André con PFM)
Suonare suonare (1980)
Come ti va in riva alla città (1981)
PFM? PFM! (1984 • PFM)
Miss Baker (1987)