I Santo California are an Italian musical group active since 1974. They are best known for their debut single "Tornerò" which became an international no. one hit in 1975.
History The group was founded by five musicians originating from Campania, Southern Italy. Originally called La Nuova Frontiera, the band initially performed in clubs and beach resorts in the Amalfi Coast. In 1974, during a concert in Nocera Inferiore, they caught the attention of Elio Palumbo who helped them sign a contract with the Italian label Yep Record in Rome. At that point, the band changed the name to I Santo California.
They released their debut single, "Tornerò", at the end of 1974. A sentimental love ballad, "Tornerò" was a major hit in Italy and Switzerland where it spent several weeks at no. one in 1975. In Switzerland, "Tornerò" became the best-selling single of the year. It also peaked at number five in Germany and Austria. The band's debut album charted within the top twenty in Italy.
The follow-up single, "Un angelo", peaked at no. two in the Italian charts and no. ten in Switzerland in the spring of 1976. The band continued the international success with "Dolce amore mio" which reached no. six in Italy and no. three in Switzerland. In 1977, I Santo California took part to the Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Monica", finishing third. The song quickly turned into another international hit for the band. In 1978, they scored their last top ten hit in Italy with "Manuela, amore!". After that, I Santo California's popularity decreased. The band continued to record and perform but struggled to maintain the same degree of commercial success.
Following a break of fourteen years, in 1994 the band released a new album 1994 Per un mondo migliore.
Members Pietro Paolo Barbella - vocals, keyboard (1974 – present) Donato Farina - drums (1974 – present) Domenico "Mimmo" Aiello - bass (1974 – present) Ninni Gibboni - chitarre
Former members Massimo Caso - guitar (1974 – 1979) Gianni Galizia - chitarre, keyboard (1974 – 1990)
Discography Albums Studio albums Title Album detailsPeak chart positions IT Set "Tipo" on "Album" or "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Santo California".Se davvero mi vuoi bene... Tornerò Released: 1974 Label: Yep Formats: LP19Un angelo Released: October 1975 Label: Yep Formats: LP22Venus serenade Released: 1979 Label: Yep Formats: LP—Ti perdono amore mio Released: 1980 Label: Yep Formats: LP—1994 Per un mondo migliore Released: 1994 Label: PBR Formats: CD—"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Compilation albums Title Album detailsTorneró Released: 1975 Label: Philips, Decca Formats: LP, MCHits in the World Released: 1976 Label: Yep Formats: LPDie großen Erfolge. Grandi successi. Les grands succès Released: 1976 Label: Ariola Formats: LPThe Best of I Santo California Released: 1977 Label: Philips Formats: LPIl meglio de I Santo California Released: 1978 Label: Yep Formats: LPTornerò – The Very Best Released: 1993 Label: Arcade Formats: CDTornerò – Best Of Released: 1996 Label: ZYX Music Formats: CDThe World of I Santo California Released: 2002 Label: ZYX Music Formats: CDTornerò – I Grandi Successi Released: 2005 Label: ZYX Music Formats: CDThe Best of I Santo California Released: 2007 Label: Trecolori Media Formats: CD
Singles Title YearPeak chart positions IT AUT BE (FL) GER SPA SWI"Tornerò"1974244231"Un angelo"19744————9"Dolce amore mio"19766————3"Ave Maria... No! No!"9————11"Fenesta vascia"1977——————"Monica"14————9"Gabbiano"——————"Manuela, amore!"1978——————"Venezia"1979——————"Butterfly 2000"——————"Ti perdono amore mio"1980——————"Aspettandoti"1981——————"Questa melodia"1982——————"Amore fragile"——————"Lassù"1983——————"Maledetto cuore"1984——————"Caro compagno Joe" (Belgium-only release)1991——————"Tornerò 2007" (Clamore Project vs. I Santo California; Germany-only release)2007——————"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
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