Bologna – It is not easy at all to be the Musicians of Francesco Guccini and have to face his legacy tonight as happens to Vince Tempera, Juan Carlos ‘Flaco’ Biondini, Antonio Marangolo, Ellade Bandini, Giacomo Marzi at the Pineta di Castelpagano, in Benevento. “After the news, the organizers asked us if we wanted to cancel the date and we said no. We have to do it,” admits Flaco, who has been alongside the Maestro for half a century during which he co-wrote about fifteen songs including ‘Scirocco’, ‘Le ragazze della notte’, ‘Luna fortuna’. “Even though we are very shaken, playing his pieces well – after having done so for decades in the studio and on stage – will be our best way to pay tribute to him.”
Flaco, is the idea of returning to the stage hard?
“Yes, because we had an emotional relationship that went far beyond work. It will be emotional and I just hope I don’t get overwhelmed, because now it’s up to me to sing his songs. We do it with pride, though, knowing that he would have liked it that way.”
Was there a ritual offstage?
“Backstage, before the concert, there was always a great catering where we ate and drank. Often excessively. Francesco was deeply habitual and tended to always eat the same things, not out of superstition, but simply out of habit. He was not at all nervous about the crowd, whether there were 3,000 or 12,000 people outside, it was the same to him.”
So, what will be the most difficult moment for you to face tonight?
“Singing songs like ‘Incontro’, because they tell Francesco in the first person and contain deep philosophical reflections.”
And what kind of relationship did he have with his repertoire?
“He definitely felt some songs more because they were very personal, like ‘Amerigo’, which spoke about his great-uncle and his childhood. Unfortunately, in sports arenas the intimacy needed to tell certain stories was somewhat lost. He had to accept that the audience would do ‘karaoke’, although sometimes he invited people to pay a little more attention, well aware, however, that in an arena demanding absolute silence would be impossible.”
Even though you were the core group, there have been some changes in the lineup.
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“Yes, but the only real earthquake was caused by the death of manager and producer Renzo Fantini, a dear friend to all. The loss ended up taking away part of Francesco’s will. Otherwise, on and off stage we have always remained united.”
When did you have the chance to say goodbye to him?
“We spoke for the last time 10-15 days ago, then he was no longer able to do so. But his wife Raffaella and daughter Teresa kept me informed and, given his age and serious complications, I knew the news unfortunately wouldn’t be long in coming. I took it as one takes the loss of a very beloved elderly person.”
He was my teacher of ‘Italian-ness’; if I love this country madly it’s because he explained it to me
What is the greatest lesson Francesco left you?
“He left me everything. As I always say, he was my teacher of ‘Italian-ness’; if I love this country madly, 53 years after arriving from Argentina, it’s because he explained and dissected it for me. He had an incredible self-taught culture and a steel memory; listening to him explain a monument was like attending a university lecture. But the most precious thing was his humility: he considered himself a simple craftsman and, despite his songs being in textbooks, he had little ego. He taught me not to take myself too seriously, to face life with irony and humor. He made me feel part of his family, almost like a brother. And for this, I will be grateful to him forever.”
