Ricky Gianco

Ricky Gianco (born Riccardo Sanna, 18 February 1943), formerly known as Ricky Sann, is an Italian singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer, considered one of the founders of Italian rock music.

Career Born in Lodi, Gianco started playing guitar as a child, and at 11 years old he won a music contest for amateur musicians, soon gaining some popularity thanks to his participation to numerous Mike Bongiorno's shows. In 1958 he was guitarist of the band "Pepe, Pietruccio & Lallo", an early incarnation of Dik Dik. He first adopted the stage name Ricky Sann as a tribute to Ricky Nelson. He made his recording debut with the single "Ciao ti dirò", which is regarded by some critics as the first Italian original rock song. In 1960, he formed "Ricky Sanna e il suo complesso", a band with Enzo Jannacci and Luigi Tenco.

Discography

Albums 1963: Una giornata con Ricky Gianco (Jaguar, JGR 73000) 1965: Ai miei amici di "Ciao amici" (Jaguar, JGR 74002) 1965: Ricky Gianco Show (Jaguar, JGR 74003) 1968: Ricky Gianco Special (Dischi Ricordi, MRP 9051) 1975: Braccio di Ferro (Intingo, ITGL 14005) 1976: Quel rissoso, irascibile, carissimo Braccio di Ferro (Intingo, ITGL 14007) 1976: Alla mia mam... (Ultima Spiaggia, ZLUS 55187) 1978: Arcimboldo (Ultima Spiaggia, ZPLS 34046) 1979: Liquirizia (soundtrack) (Fontana Records, 6323 811) 1982: Non si può smettere di fumare (Fonit-Cetra, LPX 100) 1989: Di nuca (New Enigma, NEM 47714) 1991: È Rock'n Roll (Fonit-Cetra, TLPX 277) 1992: Piccolo è bello (Fonit-Cetra) 1995: Il meglio di Ricky Gianco (compilation, D.V. MORE) 1997: Ricky Gianco: i successi (compilation, D.V. MORE) 2000: Tandem (Ricky Gianco & ...) (compilation of collaborations, CBS, COL 497529 1) 2005: Ricky Gianco Collection (compilation, EDEL) 2009: Di santa ragione, EDEL 2010: Come un bambino (On Sale Music, 64 OSM 084)