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Not just a passing trend. These guys aren't even remembered by my grandma! And you?
Well, whoever remembers them will have that crazy 15-year-old refrain printed in their mind, the band’s only big success. But come on, did they write any other songs besides that one? Yes, they did. A few singles here and there, but apparently, they never recorded an album. Some might think it's better that way, but let's analyze it a bit. Their musical proposal, although still fitting within the famous trend, had something more. The alternating voices of a male and a female singer. And you might ask, so what? Yet, it evokes atmospheres with quite a nice flavor. We're talking about Marzia Tirelli and Gilberto Ziglioli. The music is like that, a celebration of adolescence and the carefree spirit of the time, sometimes almost pushing the concept to the extreme. But hey, it worked.
Some members had cut their teeth before '75, the year the band was born, in New Dada and Le Orme. Not exactly nothing. Helping them in the arduous attempt to emerge among the many bands of the time was Enzo Malepasso, a performer and writer of beautiful songs, of which we remember the superb 'Amore Mio' (years later plagiarized by the inept Gigi D'Alessio with 'cumpagna mia', but here we risk going off topic). And so, it's worth spending a few words on their classic. '15 anni', right. I'm sorry for those who managed to erase it from their minds, don't torture me. It's clearly a song that evokes past eras, childhood memories, carefree days in schoolyards, and first loves. And not only do memories of the past take over, but also the songs that played on the radio (or the record player) at the time. I think it's genius to include three excerpts of songs within one. You must mention the famous 'Oh Carol' by a very young Neil Sedaka, but also the splendid 'Diana' by an equally in-form Paul Anka. The third, perhaps less famous, is 'Forever' by a Joe Damiano. In short, it's stuff that gets etched in your mind with its childish refrain (15 years 15 years, poetry of an age that doesn't return/ crazy like two horses, you and me)
After the song of teenage memories par excellence, the most successful song of the Vicini di Casa is undoubtedly the unpronounceable 'Scubidubidu Scubidubida'. Same formula as '15 anni' (never change a winning team), more childhood memories where you sang a childish refrain together with a girl (to quote Gli Alunni del Sole). Scubidubidu Scubidubida, indeed. Very catchy and pleasant. Beautiful and unknown 'Un giocattolo', a sweet story of a sad goodbye. A nostalgic and fun memory of elementary school interpreted with a pleasant teacher-student duet in 'Scuola', very enjoyable 'Amore nascosto', very sweet. The only one to have had some success after the end of Vicini di Casa was Gilberto Ziglioli, who played in 'Rimini' for Fabrizio De André and accompanied Enzo Jannacci on several tours.
A brief history that continued until 1980, the date of the band's end. A story made of 45 records and few songs. But thanks to hits like '15 anni' they brought a slight immortality to the group. And who knows, maybe I've made you remember them after a long time. Regards.
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