Ricky Gianco: reviews, bio, and essential albums

Ricky Gianco

Musician

Forfans of italian ’60s/’70s rock and cantautori, listeners into politically edged songwriting, and admirers of pfm/celentano circles.
3 Reviews 2 Definitions 2 Charts

The Profile

Italian singer-songwriter and guitarist from Lodi, born Riccardo Sanna. Rose in the 1960s beat scene and associated with Adriano Celentano’s Clan. In the 1970s he released the acclaimed albums Alla mia mam... (1976) and Arcimboldo (1978), marked by sharp irony, political themes, lyrics with Gianfranco Manfredi, and performances with members of PFM.

Known as Ricky Gianco (real name Riccardo Sanna) from Lodi; linked to the Celentano Clan; authored and performed notable 1970s albums (Alla mia mam..., Arcimboldo); frequent lyrical collaboration with Gianfranco Manfredi; recordings feature contributions from musicians associated with PFM.

Two DeBaser reviews rediscover Ricky Gianco’s ’70s high-water marks: Alla mia mam... (1976) and Arcimboldo (1978). Expect rock with prog touches, sharp irony, and lyrics shaped with Gianfranco Manfredi, plus players tied to PFM. A celebratory, historically aware look at an artist who pushed against the grain.

Notable Quotes

❝ I prefer to focus on his most beautiful album and, in my opinion, one of the greatest albums in the history of Italian music: Arcimboldo ('78).

❝ An excellent album, intelligent lyrics, a great interpretation by a multi-faceted author, a great job by the musicians, including Gianco himself, Claudio Dentes, and Lucio Fabbri. And it conveys emotions. Not a little.