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)
Photos Of Ghosts
Premiata Forneria Marconi Lyrics
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By a broken moon.
Ten million stars
And the whispered harmonies of leaves.
We werer these.
Beside a dried up fountain
Lie five dusty tomes
With faded pasted pictures
Of love's reverie.
Across each cover is written,
"Herein are Photos of Ghosts"
Of ghosts, of ghosts,
Of the days we ran and the days we sang.
The poetic lyrics of Premiata Forneria Marconi's song Photos of Ghosts evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. The opening line "Black roses laced with silver" creates a vivid image of beauty and melancholy, as if mourning something that was once cherished but is now lost. The broken moon adds to this sense of mournfulness, as it is a symbol of incompleteness or decay. The imagery of ten million stars and the whispered harmonies of leaves creates an atmospheric sense of nature and the vastness of the universe.
The lyrics go on to describe the ephemeral nature of love and memory, represented in the "five dusty tomes" with "faded pasted pictures." The phrase "love's reverie" suggests a dream-like state, something that is not fully tangible or real. The idea of "Photos of Ghosts" emphasizes the fleeting nature of memories and how they can haunt and linger like ghosts. The repetition of "of ghosts, of ghosts" creates a sense of the repetition of this haunting.
The final line "Of the days we ran and the days we sang" seems to be a wistful remembrance of happier times. Overall, the lyrics of Photos of Ghosts are a beautiful and evocative exploration of memory, love, and the fleeting nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Black roses laced with silver
The beauty of darkness intertwined with the elegance of silver.
By a broken moon.
Under the dark sky with a damaged moon.
Ten million stars
A countless number of stars shining in the sky.
And the whispered harmonies of leaves.
The gentle rustling of leaves creating a soothing melody.
We were these.
We were the images captured in these photos of ghosts.
Beside a dried up fountain
Next to a waterless fountain, symbolizing the fading of life and time.
Lie five dusty tomes
Five old books covered in dust and neglect.
With faded pasted pictures
Filled with old images that have lost their vibrant colors and sharpness over time.
Of love's reverie.
Depicting the memories of past relationships and the nostalgia associated with them.
Across each cover is written,
On every book there is an inscription.
"Herein are Photos of Ghosts"
These books contain images of memories that are now long gone, like the ghosts of the past.
Of ghosts, of ghosts,
Reinforcing the idea that the photos are of memories that no longer exist.
Of the days we ran and the days we sang.
Depicting moments of leisure and carefree days of joy that have now passed and only exist in memories.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FLAVIO FRANCO PREMOLI, FRANCO MUSSIDA, MAURO PAGANI, PETER JOHN SINFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind