Franco Battiato
Real Name:
Francesco Battiato
Profile:
Franco Battiato, born Francesco Battiato (Ionia, March 23, 1945 - Milo, May 18, 2021), was an Italian singer-songwriter, composer, musician, and painter.
An internationally known artist, Franco Battiato has been everything in his long career, from beat singer to avantgarde performer, producer, contemporary music composer.
His beginnings lay in the mid 60's, with many singles released with no particular success, the first two under his real name of Francesco. He had left the native Sicily moving to Milan around 1965.
In 1970 after his collaboration with Osage Tribe (that he quit before their only album Arrowhead) he had a record deal with Bla Bla, releasing his first solo album in 1972. "Fetus", housed in a outrageous cover (reproducing a foetus) was definitely a prog album, but a very original one, with a minimalist sound mainly based on the use of a VCS3 synth, unusual lyrics, complex arrangements. Two tracks, "Energia" and "Una Cellula" were also released as single.
Second album "Pollution" followed the same route, but the sound was a bit richer with a larger use of traditional rock instruments. A good concert activity led to Battiato being very popular as an alternative artist and Pollution even reached the Top Ten italian chart. These two albums are considered their best (and most musically accessible) from prog fans.
With third album, Sulle corde di "Aries", the sound shifted toward a more avantgarde style, but the long "Aria Di Rivoluzione" remains one of his best tracks from the first period.
Fourth album "Clic" was mainly instrumental, with just a single vocal track, "No U Turn", and it also had an english release on the prestigious Island label, though this album contains different versions of tracks originally included in "Sulle Corde Di Aries" and the italian issue of "Clic". His first solo album had also been recorded in an english version, entitled "Foetus", but this was never released at the time and only appeared on CD recently.
With 1975's "M.lle Le Gladiator" we're in full avantgarde music, the album even contains a long church organ solo performance and is a very difficult listen. After the Bla Bla's demise the following releases up to 1978 were all in the same direction, with long instrumental piano or synth performances closer to contemporary music than to progressive.
1979 saw the first radical turn, with the new wave-inspired album "L'Era Del Cinghiale Bianco" that began a fruitful collaboration with violinist Giusto Pio. The album was a big hit and later works followed the same style, with very good arrangements and highly inspired and original lyrics. From late 1980's until today Battiato is still one of the leading figures in italian music.
An internationally known artist, Franco Battiato has been everything in his long career, from beat singer to avantgarde performer, producer, contemporary music composer.
His beginnings lay in the mid 60's, with many singles released with no particular success, the first two under his real name of Francesco. He had left the native Sicily moving to Milan around 1965.
In 1970 after his collaboration with Osage Tribe (that he quit before their only album Arrowhead) he had a record deal with Bla Bla, releasing his first solo album in 1972. "Fetus", housed in a outrageous cover (reproducing a foetus) was definitely a prog album, but a very original one, with a minimalist sound mainly based on the use of a VCS3 synth, unusual lyrics, complex arrangements. Two tracks, "Energia" and "Una Cellula" were also released as single.
Second album "Pollution" followed the same route, but the sound was a bit richer with a larger use of traditional rock instruments. A good concert activity led to Battiato being very popular as an alternative artist and Pollution even reached the Top Ten italian chart. These two albums are considered their best (and most musically accessible) from prog fans.
With third album, Sulle corde di "Aries", the sound shifted toward a more avantgarde style, but the long "Aria Di Rivoluzione" remains one of his best tracks from the first period.
Fourth album "Clic" was mainly instrumental, with just a single vocal track, "No U Turn", and it also had an english release on the prestigious Island label, though this album contains different versions of tracks originally included in "Sulle Corde Di Aries" and the italian issue of "Clic". His first solo album had also been recorded in an english version, entitled "Foetus", but this was never released at the time and only appeared on CD recently.
With 1975's "M.lle Le Gladiator" we're in full avantgarde music, the album even contains a long church organ solo performance and is a very difficult listen. After the Bla Bla's demise the following releases up to 1978 were all in the same direction, with long instrumental piano or synth performances closer to contemporary music than to progressive.
1979 saw the first radical turn, with the new wave-inspired album "L'Era Del Cinghiale Bianco" that began a fruitful collaboration with violinist Giusto Pio. The album was a big hit and later works followed the same style, with very good arrangements and highly inspired and original lyrics. From late 1980's until today Battiato is still one of the leading figures in italian music.
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Franco Battiato
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15,101 For SaleImage | Title | Label | Catalog Number | Year | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Actions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BBXL 10002 |
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Battiato* | Pollution (Album) | Bla Bla | BBXL 10002 | Italy | 1972 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BBXL 10001 |
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Battiato* | Fetus (Album) | Bla Bla | BBXL 10001 | Italy | 1972 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BBXL 10003 |
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Battiato* | Sulle Corde Di Aries (Album) | Bla Bla | BBXL 10003 | Italy | 1973 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BBXL 10006 |
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Franco Battiato | Clic (Album) | Bla Bla | BBXL 10006 | Italy | 1974 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BBXL 10008 |
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Franco Battiato | M.elle Le "Gladiator" (Album) | Bla Bla | BBXL 10008 | Italy | 1975 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SMRL 6201 |
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Franco Battiato | Franco Battiato (Album) | Ricordi | SMRL 6201 | Italy | 1977 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ORK 78659 |
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Franco Battiato | L'Egitto Prima Delle Sabbie (Album) | Ricordi | ORK 78659 | Italy | 1978 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SMRL 6218 |
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Franco Battiato | Juke Box (Album) | Ricordi | SMRL 6218 | Italy | 1978 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3C 264 18285 |
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Franco Battiato | L'Era Del Cinghiale Bianco (Album) | EMI | 3C 264 18285 | Italy | 1979 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3C 264 18521 |
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Battiato* | Patriots (Album) | EMI | 3C 264 18521 | Italy | 1980 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3C 264 18558 |
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Franco Battiato | La Voce Del Padrone (Album) | EMI | 3C 264 18558 | Italy | 1981 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3C 064-18597 |
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Battiato* | L'Arca Di Noè (Album) | EMI | 3C 064-18597 | Italy | 1982 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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64 1186464 |
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Battiato* | Orizzonti Perduti (Album) | EMI | 64 1186464 | Italy | 1983 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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66 1187071 |
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Franco Battiato | Mondi Lontanissimi (Album) | La Voce Del Padrone | 66 1187071 | Italy | 1985 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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81 1187121 8305 |
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Battiato* | Echoes Of Sufi Dances (Album, Comp) | EMI | 81 1187121 8305 | Argentina | 1985 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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066 1187741 |
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Franco Battiato | Nomadas (Album) | EMI, EMI | 066 1187741 | Spain | 1986 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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LMAD 3031 |
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Franco Battiato | Genesi (Album) | Fonit Cetra | LMAD 3031 | Italy | 1987 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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7903142 |
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Battiato* | Fisiognomica (Album) | EMI, EMI | 7903142 | France | 1988 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2-070 7934252 |
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Battiato* | Giubbe Rosse (Album) | EMI, EMI | 2-070 7934252 | Switzerland | 1989 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Image | Title | Label | Catalog Number | Year | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Actions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0777 7 95620 4 6 |
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Franco Battiato | Benvenuto Cellini "Una Vita Scellerata" (Album) | EMI | 0777 7 95620 4 6 | Italy | 1990 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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090 - 7981212, 090 7981212 |
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F. Battiato* | Come Un Cammello In Una Grondaia (Album) | EMI, La Voce Del Padrone | 090 - 7981212, 090 7981212 | Italy | 1991 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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0777 7 54759 2 0 |
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Franco Battiato | Gilgamesh (Album) | EMI Classics | 0777 7 54759 2 0 | Italy | 1992 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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724382748281 |
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Franco Battiato | Caffé De La Paix (Album) | EMI, EMI | 724382748281 | Italy | 1993 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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5 55158 4 1 |
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Franco Battiato | Messa Arcaica (Album) | EMI Classics, EMI Classics | 5 55158 4 1 | Italy | 1994 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Image | Title | Label | Catalog Number | Year | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Actions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7243 8 31641 2 7 |
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Franco Battiato | Unprotected (Album, Comp) | EMI | 7243 8 31641 2 7 | Italy | 1994 | Sell This Version |
Reviews Show All 8 Reviews
adimensional
May 19, 2021
Mi mas profundo respeto y admiración hacia su persona y su obra, nos ha dejado un gigante.
Nos veremos en las estrellas.
Nos veremos en las estrellas.

ruben.mancera
May 18, 2021
Hermanas y hermanos planetario.... transformemos la tristeza por la danza inmaterial en el que él tanto creía...forma parte existencial de nuestras almas y eso no hay fuerza universal que nos lo arrebate....pronto nos reencontraremos
Mucho Amoooor
Mucho Amoooor

-bcb-
May 18, 2021
¡Qué día tan, tan tremendamente triste el de hoy!
Desde que hace ahora 40 años oí por primera vez "Summer on a solitary beach" y "Bandiera bianca" no he dejado nunca de escuchar y admirar a Franco Battiato y dejarme invadir por sus melodías y sus textos. Sólo lamento no haber podido asistir a ninguno de sus conciertos.
Ahora por fin descansa en un océano de silencio, desde el que nos seguirá inspirando eternamente.
Desde que hace ahora 40 años oí por primera vez "Summer on a solitary beach" y "Bandiera bianca" no he dejado nunca de escuchar y admirar a Franco Battiato y dejarme invadir por sus melodías y sus textos. Sólo lamento no haber podido asistir a ninguno de sus conciertos.
Ahora por fin descansa en un océano de silencio, desde el que nos seguirá inspirando eternamente.

s.cagnucci
May 18, 2021
Fondamentale. Grazie per sempre Franco .Per me tutto inziò da quel regalo , dalla "Voce del Padrone"

Golomann
April 17, 2019
"DJ Lele Sacchi pays his respects to an Italian pop culture icon." - from NTS, 14.04.19, Milan https://www.nts.live/shows/guests/episodes/lele-sacchi-franco-battiato-special-14th-april-2019
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raulvinasmartin
May 18, 2022[email protected]
pago