Equipe 84 (Italian pronunciation:[eˈkippotˌtantaˈkwattro]) were an Italian beat band formed in 1964 in Modena.[1] The name was originally suggested by a friend of the band, Pier Farri. Equipe was thought to be a word that would resonate more easily outside of their home country, and though the origin of 84 is unclear, it is presumed to have been the total age of the members of the band at the moment of its inception.
In 1970, Ceccarelli left the band to pursue a solo career. In the same year Cantarella was charged with possession of illegal drugs – a predicament that would keep him away from the band for two years.[2] After hiring temporary replacements in the form of keyboardist Dario Baldan Bembo and PFM drummer Franz Di Cioccio, Vandelli and Sogliani embarked on an ambitious project, recording the strongly influenced prog-rock album ID and briefly changing the name of the band to Nuova Equipe 84.[3] In 1973, with the return of Cantarella, the band left Dischi Ricordi and signed for Alfredo Rossi's label Ariston Records, returning to a more conventional sound with the album Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. The band, however, stirred further controversy with the single "Clinica Fior di Loto", a blatant invitation to vote for the Italian Socialist Party at the upcoming general elections.
Following a decline in popularity, Equipe 84 officially disbanded in 1977. In the mid-1980s, Sogliani and Ceccarelli attempted a short-lived reunion of the original members, which resulted in the band's final album, Un amore vale l'altro (1989).[4]
Personnel
Maurizio Vandelli (1963–1977): lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
Victor Sogliani (1963–1977 and 1984–1995): vocals, bass
Alfio Cantarella (1963–1970 and 1973–1977): drums
Franco Ceccarelli (1963–1970 and 1984–2012): vocals, guitar
