PFM introduced new sounds, such as the synthesizer, to the Italian musical world. They were also among the first to combine symphonic classical and traditional Italian musical influences in a rock music context. Such innovations and their longevity have made them among the most important bands in the international Progressive rock genre.
The original core members of PFM (Franco Mussida, Franz Di Cioccio, Flavio Premoli, and Giorgio Piazza) came together in the mid 1960's while playing together as backup musicians for many different Italian pop, rock and folk singers such as Lucio Battisti, Mina, Adriano Celentano and Fabrizio De André. They appeared on many recordings for other artists during this period and quickly established themselves as top players on the Italian rock and pop scene. Mussida, Premoli, Piazza and Di Cioccio then formed the group "I quelli" (English translation "Them", or "Those Guys") in 1968. I quelli released one album and some successful Italian singles.
Premiata Forneria Marconi was officially formed in Milan, Italy in 1970 when the members of I quelli met Mauro Pagani from the group Dalton. Pagani helped the group expand their sound to include violin and flute. By this time they were already highly experienced musicians and easily able to play the kind of complex progressive heavy rock played by the leading English and American groups. Their early live performances included covers by groups such as King Crimson and Jethro Tull. Other early influences included Chicago, Ekseption, and The Flock.
They had a long name, as Italian progressive bands tended to have back then, and so were usually referred to as "La Premiata", and later "PFM". After rejecting Isotta-Fraschini (an Italian car maker) the group finally settled on Pagani's suggestion, "Forneria Marconi" (meaning "Marconi Bakery"), borrowed from the sign of a shop in the small town of Chiari, near Brescia. However, record producer and friend Alessandro Colombini suggested the name was not strong enough, so the title "Premiata" (award-winning) was added. Some objected that "Premiata Forneria Marconi" was too long a name, but the group's philosophy stated that the more difficult to remember a band's name, the more difficult to forget it.
The most recent line-up of PFM follows:
- Franco Mussida: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12 string guitar, mandolin, vocals (1970–present)
- Franz Di Cioccio: drums, percussion, lead and backing vocals (1970–present)
- Patrick Djivas: bass, programming (1974–present)
- Lucio Fabbri: violin, keyboards (1979–1987, 2000–present )
- Gianluca Tagliavini: piano, Hammond, Minimoog, other keyboards (2005–present)
- Piero Monterisi: additional drums (2006–present)
Former members of PFM follows:
- Flavio Premoli: piano, keyboards, Mellotron, Moog synthesizer, lead vocals (1970–1980, 1997–2005)
- Giorgio Piazza: bass (1970–1974)
- Mauro Pagani: flute, piccolo, violin, vocals (1970–1976)
- Bernardo Lanzetti: lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1975–1977)
- Gregory Bloch: violin (1976–1977)
- Walter Calloni: additional drums (1982–1987)
- Roberto Gualdi: additional drums (1997–2005)
Left-Handed Theory
Premiata Forneria Marconi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You have your own special flair
Fast left-handed players
Slow men had better beware
Tough baseball southpaw
Left tennis smash
Left-handed person
Now the world needs them
To teach us a different stitch
What do they mirror
A contrast in view
Think of Da Vinci
His ambidextrous arts
Hendrix's guitar sang
Sweet feedback lightnin' from Mars
And in reflection
We see the stars
The lyrics for "Left-Handed Theory" sung by Premiata Forneria Marconi sheds light on the uniqueness that left-handed individuals possess. The song starts by acknowledging that left-handed people are different from others and have their own distinctive style. It praises the fast-paced ability of the left-handers in sports and warns that the slow individuals may find it challenging to match their pace. It further talks about the tough baseball pitcher that uses their left hand to intimidate their opponents and the left tennis smash, which not only surprises the opponent but also adds to the unpredictability of the player.
The song then talks about the historical context where left-handed individuals were once considered "witches," and today, they stand as a token of diversity. The song appreciates the value of the different perspective the left-handers bring to the table, helping others to see things differently. It identifies a contrast in the view that the lefties mirror, a different angle that others might not have thought about, giving birth to new ideas and creativity. The song talks about Leonardo da Vinci's ambidextrous artwork and Jimi Hendrix's guitar that played sweet feedback lightnin' from Mars. In the end, the song metaphorically aligns the lefties with the stars, highlighting their unique qualities that are beyond our worldly comprehension.
Line by Line Meaning
You left-handed people
Addressing those who are left-handed
You have your own special flair
Left-handed individuals possess a unique talent or style
Fast left-handed players
Left-handed athletes who are quick and skillful
Slow men had better beware
Right-handed individuals may struggle to keep up with left-handed players
Tough baseball southpaw
A left-handed baseball player with strength and determination
Left tennis smash
A powerful hit in tennis delivered by a left-handed player
Left-handed person
A person who is naturally inclined to use their left hand more than their right
Once was a sign of a witch
In history, someone being left-handed was seen as a sign of witchcraft or something abnormal
Now the world needs them
Society has come to value the skills and abilities of left-handed individuals
To teach us a different stitch
Left-handed individuals can offer a unique perspective or way of doing things
What do they mirror
What do left-handed people reflect in our world?
A contrast in view
Left-handedness can be seen as a contrast to right-handedness and can provide a new way of looking at things
Think of Da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci was famously left-handed and demonstrated his skill through his art and inventions
His ambidextrous arts
Da Vinci had the ability to use both hands equally, allowing him to express himself creatively in various ways
Hendrix's guitar sang
Jimi Hendrix was a left-handed guitar player who created beautiful music and inspired many others
Sweet feedback lightnin' from Mars
Hendrix's electrifying music and guitar skills were out of this world
And in reflection
Looking back or considering something in a deeper way
We see the stars
There is greatness and potential in left-handed individuals, just as there are countless stars in the universe
Contributed by Levi K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.