Semiramis (band)

History

The band was formed in 1970 by Maurizio Zarrillo (keyboards) and the two cousins Marcello Reddavide (bass) and Memmo Pulvano (drums). They were all 15 years old. Two years later they were joined by 16-year-old Michele Zarrillo who substituted former singer Maurizio Macioce. They played in some live open-air concerts in Rome until Pulvano left and drummer Paolo Faenza joined other members.

Their only album, released by Trident Records in 1973 was commercially unsuccessful, but later became regarded as a classic Italian progressive rock album. The album featured a cover by Gordon Faggetter. According to a favorable review, Semiramis pile it on from every angle. Synths go awry, voices scream, guitars go a hundred miles a second, drums jettison you across the room. How could a group compose so many ideas? There are literally 15 albums on this!

After the band split up, singer and guitarist Michele Zarrillo joined a later incarnation of Il Rovescio della Medaglia. In the 1980s he began a successful solo career as a pop music singer. He has released 10 full studio albums, as well as a host of singles.

Lineup