Riding the UK-born beat music wave of the 1960s, Italian rockers I Ribelli launched in 1959 as a backing band for multi-talented Italian showman Adriano Celentano. The group, initially featuring Gianni Dall'Aglio (drums), Giorgio Benacchio (guitar), Gino Santercole (guitar) and Nando de Luca (keyboards), cut their teeth performing covers by popular groups like the Beatles and the Tremeloes, before releasing their one and only studio album in 1968, I Ribelli. I Ribelli conceived countless singles on various labels, christening the launch of Celentano's own label, Clan Celentano, with their fifth single, "La Cavalcata/Serenata a Vallechiara," in 1962 and releasing a pair of EPs on the label, 1962's Stai Iontana da me/Amami e Baciami/Sei Rimasta Sola and 1963's Amico. After signing to Dischi Recordi, I Ribelli amassed a trove of successful singles before disbanding in 1970. They went on to reform twice; the first time marking their comeback in 1977 with the single "Illusione/Calore," and the second time in 1986 with the live album I Ribelli. The group temporarily parted ways in 2005 but reconvened for the third time in 2008 and a second live album, I Ribelli Cantano Adriano, emerged that year. The expansive band underwent numerous lineup changes over the years but reunited for a live tour in 2017, with the group comprising Gianni Dall'Aglio (drums), Natale Massara (voice, sax, horns), Giorgio Benacchio (guitar) and Angel Salvador (bass). Santercole died of a heart attack at the age of 77 on June 8, 2018 in Rome.
