Paolo Belli

Italian singer/songwriter Paolo Belli first encountered music through childhood piano lessons and later refined his abilities at Reggio Emilia's Conservatory. He assembled the band Ladri Di Biciclette in 1984. The group entered San Remo's festival in 1989 via its self-titled song and that year also served as Vasco Rossi's opening act. While "Dr. Jazz & Mr. Funk" ascended the local charts, Ladri Di Biciclette strengthened its position by taking first place at Festivalbar, which led to the honor of Best New Band of the Year and the chance to issue a debut album. Paolo Belli returned to San Remo in 1991 with "Sbatti Ben Su Del Bebop" and simultaneously recorded Ladri Di Biciclette's second album. Two years afterward he issued his first solo record, which was followed by 1994's Solo; the video for "M'Hanno Lasciato Qui" earned him an award. In 1998 he appeared with Dan Aykroyd at Rome's Big Mama Club while the American actor promoted Blues Brothers 2000. After releasing 1999's A Me Mi Piace Lo Swing, the Italian pop singer put out Belli Dentro in the year 2000.