Stadio

Stadio are one of the longest-running and most representative bands in Italian pop-rock, born in the heart of Bologna's musical scene in the 1970s as Lucio Dalla's backing band, and able over the decades to build an autonomous, recognizable identity of their own.

The original lineup revolves around Gaetano Curreri (vocals and keyboards), Giovanni Pezzoli (drums), Marco Nanni (bass) and Ricky Portera (guitar), all musicians tied to the circle around Dalla and Ron. Stadio first make a name for themselves through the Bolognese singer-songwriter's tours and recordings, but it's with the 1981 single that the band breaks into the national spotlight: on one side, the gorgeous love-song "Chi te l'ha detto?", officially penned by Dalla, and on the other the irreverent "Grande figlio di puttana" (1981), which mixes irony with a rock groove, foreshadowing the band's unmistakable style. Both tracks are included on the debut album "Stadio" (1982).

In the 1980s Stadio release solidly crafted albums such as "La faccia delle donne" (1984), "Chiedi chi erano i Beatles" (1984) and "Canzoni alla radio" (1986), featuring major hits like "Acqua e sapone" (the soundtrack to Carlo Verdone's film of the same name), "Un disperato bisogno d'amore" and the title track "Chiedi chi erano i Beatles". The bond with Lucio Dalla remains strong, including through songwriting and production collaborations, but Stadio gradually prove they can stand on their own two feet.

The following decade confirms the band's maturity: "Siamo tutti elefanti inventati" (1991), "Stabiliamo un contatto" (1993), "Di volpi, di vizi e di virtù" (1995) and "Dammi 5 minuti" (1997) mark a period of great creative inspiration, blending refined pop, emotional ballads and introspective lyrics. "Ballando al buio", "Sorprendimi", "Generazione di fenomeni" and "Dammi 5 minuti" are among the most representative songs of this era.

Between the late 1990s and the early 2000s the band goes through major changes: Ricky Portera and Marco Nanni leave the group, and Gaetano Curreri becomes its sole, charismatic point of reference. The sound evolves without losing its melodic signature, as shown by the albums "Donne & colori" (2000), "Occhi negli occhi" (2002) and "L'amore volubile" (2005).

2007 brings "Parole nel vento", a double CD featuring one unreleased track and a live collection. In 2009 "Diluvio universale" offers new songs and standout duets, while in 2011 the album "Diamanti & carati" celebrates thirty years of the band's career.

2016 marks a sensational turning point: with the song "Un giorno mi dirai", Stadio win the Sanremo Festival — after many underrated appearances — earning widespread popular and critical acclaim. The song appears on the album "Miss Nostalgia", which combines new tracks with tributes and references to the past, confirming the group's nostalgic, lyrical streak.

After the Sanremo triumph, the band slows down its recording output but keeps up a steady pace of live shows. In 2022 the death of Giovanni Pezzoli, the band's historic drummer and co-founder, marks a painful chapter in the group's history.

In 2023, Gaetano Curreri announces he wants to carry on the band's artistic activity in a spirit of memory and consistency: between celebratory concerts and new projects, Stadio confirm themselves as a symbol of loyalty to Italian music, able to cross generations while remaining recognizable and relevant.

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