† Francesco Di Giacomo

(August 22nd, 1947 - February 21st, 2014)

In the second half of the seventies I started to explore the exciting world of progressive rock. First the 'dinosaurs' from the United Kingdom like Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake & Palmer and later on the lesser known prog bands from the UK, but also from other countries. In one of my favourite record stores in my hometown The Hague, I stumbled upon an eponymous album which was recorded in 1975 by an Italian band called Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso. During my first listening session Banco blew me away with their splendid dual keyboard sound and the awesome voice of singer Francesco Di Giacomo!

Over the years I discovered that in the late sixties and the seventies, Italy was the home of a unique movement of very talented and adventurous prog rock bands. Most of the LPs by these bands were very rare and almost impossible to obtain. Thanks to the invention of the CD and the foundation of the internet more and more interesting Italian progressive rock bands got available for a check out. My collection kept growing and nowadays I have a huge section of old and new Italian prog rock bands. Recently, almost forty years after acquiring my first album by Banco, I read the terrible news that the critically acclaimed singer Francesco Di Giacomo had passed away in a car accident on February 21st. He was only 66 years old...

For many prog heads Francesco is considered to be the best Italian progressive rock singer. His very distinctive and warm vocals formed an important part of the captivating sound of Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso: a great blend of classical music, rock, jazz and folk. My favourite song by Banco is − how ironically! − called R.I.P. On this alternating track you can enjoy Francesco's voice in full splendour. It's powerful in the swinging first and final part, but the middle-section features the most emotional prog rock I've ever heard: warm and pleasant melancholic vocals accompanied by tender and sparkling piano play, beautifully built up and ending in a sumptuous climax! Goose bumps! In my opinion this song represents the pinnacle of Italian progressive rock!

In order to pay tribute to Francesco's beautiful voice, I have written this article. I would like to finish it with a few Italian words: Francesco, multo grazie per tua bella voce!

Erik Neuteboom (edited by Peter Willemsen)


Recommended items:

Studio albums:
Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso (1972)
Darwin! (1972)
Io Sono Nato Libero (1972)
Banco (1975)

Live albums:
Seguendo Le Tracce (1975)
En Concierto Mexico City (1999)

Compilation (2CD):
Nudo (1997)

DVD:
In Concerto: Cio' Che Si Vede È (1992)

CD/DVD Boxset (7CD, 4DVD):
Prog Exhibition (2010, live in Italy, see review)

Website Banco