Roberto Vecchioni

Roberto Vecchioni was born in Milan in 1943. He started writing songs that drew from folk music and literature, which some in the industry found too complex when he was starting out. His 1971 album 'L'uomo che si gioca il cielo a dadi' got serious attention for its lyrics and arrangements.

He's recorded more than thirty albums since then, including 'Sogna ragazzo sogna' in 1973 and 'Samarcanda' in 1977. Songs like 'Allosanfan' and 'Fratelli?' show his way of writing about relationships and questions that don't have easy answers. The music tends to be built around his voice and words, with players like guitarist Carlo Gargioni and bassist Lucio Fabbri working with him at different points.

Vecchioni's work is mostly known in Italy, where his records have found an audience that appreciates the literary quality of his songwriting. He hasn't chased pop formulas, and the songs hold up because they're specific and carefully made.