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Guido & Maurizio De Angelis facts for kids

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Guido & Maurizio De Angelis
Guido & Maurizio De Angelis 1975.jpg
Guido & Maurizio De Angelis in Radiocorriere magazine, 1975
Background information
Also known as Oliver Onions
Origin Rocca di Papa, Rome, Italy
Genres
Years active 1963–2016 (as Guido & Maurizio De Angelis, composers); 1971–1990, 2007–present (as Oliver Onions)
Labels
Members Guido De Angelis
Maurizio De Angelis
Emanuele Giordani
Riccardo Di Vinci
Danny Bronzini
Filippo Piva
Francesco Signorini
Marco Zaga
Fabio Baù
Giovanni Forestan
Alberto "Zach" Gigante
"Ray" Alberto Secondino
Past members
  • Cesare De Natale
  • Susan Duncan-Smith

Guido and Maurizio De Angelis, also known as Oliver Onions, are a prolific duo of Italian musicians, multi-instrumentalists, composers and singers, as well as television and film producers. They reached the height of their popularity in the 1970s and early 1980s both as composers (under their own names) and as performers (as Oliver Onions), mainly thanks to their scoring and theme song composing and performing for action/comedy films starring the popular duo of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill, many of which became huge hits all across Europe, both cinematically and musically. After a period of retirement from the music business in the 1990s and early 2000s, during which they moved into television and film production through their own company (named after themselves), they had a musical comeback thanks to a one-off concert event in Budapest, Hungary, billed as Oliver Onions Reunion Live Budapest and organized by local promoter Gábor Kóves mainly because of the duo's popularity in his homeland, itself due to the fact that Spencer & Hill films were hugely popular in the country during the Communist regime - and, according to Maurizio De Angelis's commentary on the show, still are. The event, testified by the 2017 release of a double CD/DVD box set, led to a series of other successful shows in Italy and Europe in the following years.

Beginnings

The brothers were born in Rocca di Papa, near Rome; Guido on 22 December 1944 and Maurizio on 22 February 1947. Their musical career started in 1963, when, after successfully releasing an LP, they became arrangers for RCA Italiana. Their success led to many more albums in which they composed and arranged the music and sang all the vocals.

Oliver Onions

The De Angelis brothers were among the most prolific Italian musicians of the 1970s. In fact, they were forced to use different names for many of their projects to avoid over-saturating the market; during their career, they were variously known as G&M Orchestra, Barqueros, Charango, Kathy and Gulliver, Hombres del Mar and Dilly Dilly. However, the name they came to be mostly identified with, and most popular, was suggested by their frequent collaborator and lyricist Susan Duncan-Smith, a British-born journalist who worked in RCA's foreign relationships department. She advised them that, although they did not run any risks in signing their early Spaghetti Western film score work under their own names (following in the footsteps of the popularity gained by fellow Italian Ennio Morricone in the same genre), their international credibility as singers of theme songs in English would be undermined if they did not perform under an English-language name. The brothers followed Duncan-Smith's advice and named themselves Oliver Onions after the homonymous British writer; the name was chosen mostly because it was easy to remember for both people who speak English and people who do not, and because the two words are pronounced the same as they are written. In Italy, they became best known for writing and performing the theme song for Sergio Sollima's 1976 TV series Sandokan, based on novels by Emilio Salgari, which they also wrote the music score for; the song, heard under the opening credits, became a no.1 hit in the Italian pop charts in the same year. Their soundtrack for the 1981 cartoon series Viva i Re Magi (previously released in 1979, in Spanish language, in Mexico and Argentina as Vivan los Reyes Magos), for which they wrote the story and the screenplay as well as the full score and all the songs (which they sang themselves) was also a local hit.

Their recording "Santa Maria" was German number one single for six weeks in 1980 in its original Italian recording. It was followed by a German language version by Roland Kaiser, which was number one for another five weeks, see List of number-one hits of 1980 (Germany). The Roland Kaiser version was also number one in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Film scores

Although they released many standalone albums, it is for their soundtrack work for which the De Angelis brothers are best known. Out of their many scores, which include the main theme for the 1983 Italian cult movie Yor, the Hunter from the Future, undoubtedly the most famous and popular are those composed for the Bud Spencer & Terence Hill action/adventure/comedy films, starting with Hill's "Trinity" Spaghetti Western trilogy. Most of their theme songs for the comedy duo's films were hits in every country where the films were released, became equally popular as the films themselves and almost synonymous with them. Their song "Dune Buggy", for the 1974 film Watch Out, We're Mad, topped the European charts.

Their scores included many cult Italian films such as Trinity Is Still My Name, Torso, High Crime, The Violent Professionals, Chino, Street Law, Violent Rome, The Big Racket, Mannaja, Slave of the Cannibal God, Killer Fish, and A Blade in the Dark. In 1978, they did an alternate version of the title song for The Return of the Saint TV show starring Ian Ogilvy. Their song "Taking It Easy" was used in the European versions of the show, where another version was used in English-speaking countries.

They are also known for their work on animated series, having composed original songs for Italian-dubbed anime (such as Doraemon, Ashita no Joe and Galaxy Express 999) and European series (such as Around the World with Willy Fog). They also composed the music for the cartoon series Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds and Bobobobs.

Later years: Withdrawal from music and comeback

Oliver onions (cropped)
Guido & Maurizio De Angelis at Lucca Comics Festival 2007

By the early 1990s the brothers had become disillusioned with the music business in general and in particular by their almost systematic lack of recognition as professional composers in Italy (although they were maintaining a solid fan base outside of their homeland). As a result of this, they decided to slowly withdraw from music composition and performance in order to move into the more behind-the-scenes, but also more profitable business of production for television series and films. During this period, the duo kept their musical output to the bare minimum, often limiting themselves to scores and soundtracks for their own television and cinematic productions, some of which were mainly composed and arranged by Maurizio (the duo's most musically active member) on his own, with his older brother Guido only providing basic melodic ideas; they still managed to score sizeable audience hits in the area of production, with long running drama/romantic series such as Elisa di Rivombrosa and Incantesimo (among several others), broadcast for several seasons respectively by Mediaset and RAI.

The first hint of their long-awaited return to music came in November 2007, when they performed their first concert as Oliver Onions in 25 years, at the Lucca Comics Festival. Nine years later, in July 2016, Hungarian music promoter and impresario Gábor Kóves asked them to put on an Oliver Onions "reunion" and perform their greatest hits live on stage, backed by a rock band and a full orchestra, in a one-off concert event meant both as a celebration of their career and a tribute to their then-recently departed friend Bud Spencer. According to Maurizio De Angelis's account of the episode in the liner notes for the 2017 audio/video release of the event, Kóves persuaded them to perform in Budapest by demonstrating to them how popular they still were in Hungary, showing them a large number of fan pages, both on Facebook and on the Internet in general, created by local fans as a tribute to them and to Spencer & Hill films. Maurizio also admitted that he and Guido were initially very reluctant to perform live, as they had not done so for many years and felt rusty and unprepared; in particular, Guido was utterly terrified at the prospect of singing lead vocals live, as he had been almost completely uninvolved in music for a very long time - having engaged himself only in film production. Still, the brothers decided to apply an old Italian proverb (known locally as the "Bicycle Rule"), which states that "Once you have learned how to ride a bicycle, you never forget". By applying that rule, they came back on their musical feet within one week of intensive studio rehearsals and, once they were actually reunited as musicians, the adrenaline rush was such that Guido managed to overcome his fears and apply the "Bicycle Rule" to himself as well. The event was hugely successful, both locally and elsewhere. Subsequently, it spawned a series of short but intense tours of Italy and Europe in the following years, all billed as Oliver Onions Is Still Our Name (parodying the title of their 1971 soundtrack for the second Terence Hill "Trinity" film). Their latest such tour ended on 30 October 2019 at Lucca Comics and Games and resumed in late summer of 2020, after a forced interruption due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2021, the duo released Future Memorabilia, a greatest hits album including re-recorded versions of their best-known film and TV theme songs, some of them performed as duets with popular Italian and international stars - namely, former Thegiornalisti frontman Tommaso Paradiso, Roland Kaiser, Claudio Baglioni, Elio from Elio e le Storie Tese (adding his peculiar voice to the duo's popular "Firefighters Choir" from Watch Out, We're Mad!, a staple of their live repertoire) and Elhaida Dani. The song "Banana Joe", from the same-titled 1982 film, includes vocal snippets performed by Bud Spencer, who sang it in the original film. The duo then started a tour of Italy to promote the album.

Their theme for Zorro (1975), "Zorro Is Back", was featured in Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket, and their song "Goodbye My Friend" (from the movie Street Law) featured on the soundtrack to Faster.

Selected filmography

Year Film Directed by Singles Latest CD / digital release
1971 Between Miracles Nino Manfredi Digitmovies / DPDM011 / 2013
Trastevere Fausto Tozzi Digitmovies / CDDM254 / 2014
Trinity Is Still My Name Enzo Barboni Beat Records / DDJ30DLX / 2023
1972 Ipotesi sulla scomparsa di un fisico atomico (TV) Leandro Castellani Digitmovies / CDDM329 / 2023
Sul filo della memoria (TV) Leandro Castellani Digitmovies / CDDM329 / 2023
Man of the East E.B. Clucher Digitmovies / CDDM300 / 2019
Father Jackleg Enzo G. Castellari GDM / GDM 4142 / 2011
Il sindacalista Luciano Salce Digitmovies / CDDM205 / 2012
All the Way, Boys Giuseppe Colizzi Beat Records / DDJ29DLX / 2022
The Sicilian Connection Ferdinando Baldi Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 003 / 2009
1973 Torso Sergio Martino Digitmovies / CDDM321 / 2023
Delitto di regime - Il caso Don Minzoni (TV) Leandro Castellani Digitmovies / CDDM329 / 2023
Tales of Canterbury Roberto Loyola Kronos Records / KRONGOLD016 / 2018
Even Angels Eat Beans Enzo Barboni Digitmovies / CDDM184 / 2011
Giovannona Long-Thigh Sergio Martino
High Crime Enzo G. Castellari Beat Records / CDCR150 / 2023
The Violent Professionals Sergio Martino Beat Records / BCM9604 / 2022
Chino John Sturges Legend / CD 37 DLX / 2011
Flatfoot Steno Digitmovies / CDDM031 / 2005
1974 Dedicato a una coppia (TV) Dante Guardamangna Digitmovies / CDDM329 / 2023
Street Law Enzo G. Castellari GDM / CD CLUB 7007-2 / 2002
L'arbitro Luigi Filippo D'Amico Digitmovies / CDDM230 / 2013
Two Missionaries Franco Rossi
Watch Out, We're Mad Marcello Fondato Digitmovies / CDDM315 / 2021
Run, Run, Joe! Giuseppe Colizzi Digitmovies / CDDM126 / 2009
Quaranta giorni di libertà (TV) Leandro Castellani Digitmovies / CDDM329 / 2023
1975 Shoot First... Ask Questions Later Sergio Corbucci
Flatfoot in Hong Kong Steno Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 035 / 2023
The Immortal Bachelor Marcello Fondato Digitmovies / CDDM216 / 2012
Scandal in the Family Bruno Gaburro Digitmovies / CDDM271 / 2014
Legend of the Sea Wolf Giuseppe Vari
Zorro Duccio Tessari Digitmovies / DGST043 / 2018
The School Teacher Nando Cicero
Convoy Buddies Giuliano Carnimeo Digitmovies / CDDM126 / 2009
Violent Rome Marino Girolami Beat Records / CDCR 69 / 2006
Cry, Onion! Enzo G. Castellari
Il marsigliese (TV) Giacomo Battiato Digitmovies / CDDM329 / 2023
1976 Sandokan Sergio Sollima RCA / 74321432052 / 1996
Soldier of Fortune Pasquale Festa Campanile Digitmovies / CDDM070 / 2006
The Cop in Blue Jeans Bruno Corbucci
The Big Racket Enzo G. Castellari Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 019 / 2016
Confessions of a Frustrated Housewife Andrea Bianchi Digitmovies / CDDM188 / 2011
This Violent World Antonio Climati, Mario Morra Quartet Records / QR341 / 2018
Death Rage Antonio Margheriti
Keoma Enzo G. Castellari Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 029 / 2018
Squadra antifurto Bruno Corbucci
Languid Kisses, Wet Caresses Alfredo Angeli Vivi Musica / VCDS 7026 / 1999
The Black Corsair Sergio Sollima Digitmovies / CDDM032 / 2005
Mr. Robinson Sergio Corbucci Beat Records / DDJ08DLX / 2016
1977 Orzowei Yves Allégret Digitmovies / CDDM294 / 2018
Crime Busters Enzo Barboni
Charleston Marcello Fondato
Messalina, Messalina Bruno Corbucci Cometa Edizioni Musicali / CMT 10027 / 2012
Mannaja Sergio Martino Cometa Edizioni Musicali / CMT 10016 / 2011
Squadra antitruffa Bruno Corbucci
Three Tigers Against Three Tigers Sergio Corbucci, Steno Digitmovies / CDDM158 / 2010
La tigre è ancora viva: Sandokan alla riscossa! Sergio Sollima Digitmovies / CDDM297 / 2018
Goodbye & Amen Damiano Damiani GDM / GDM4318 / 2013
1978 Flatfoot in Africa Steno Digitmovies / CDDM029 / 2005
Slave of the Cannibal God Sergio Martino Cometa Edizioni Musicali / CMT 10027 / 2012
Bulldozer Michele Lupo Beat Records / DDJ18DLX / 2020
Odds and Evens Sergio Corbucci
1979 Killer Fish Antonio Margheriti Quartet Records / QR179 / 2015
The Sheriff and the Satellite Kid Michele Lupo Digitmovies / CDDM314 / 2020
The House by the Edge of the Lake Enzo G. Castellari
The Finzi Detective Agency Bruno Corbucci Digitmovies / CDDM158 / 2010
The Shark Hunter Enzo G. Castellari Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 029 / 2018
1980 Flatfoot in Egypt Steno Beat Records / DDJ27DLX / 2023
Alien 2: On Earth Ciro Ippolito Beat Records / DDJ052 / 2019
Everything Happens to Me Michele Lupo
1981 The Last Shark Enzo G. Castellari Beat Records / DDJ051 / 2019
1982 Banana Joe Stefano Vanzina Beat Records / DDJ28DLX / 2023
Bomber Michele Lupo Beat Records / DDJ17DLX / 2019
1983 Yor, the Hunter from the Future Antonio Margheriti BSX Records / BSXCD 8890 / 1983
2019, After the Fall of New York Sergio Martino Beat Records / DDJ053 / 2020
A Blade in the Dark Lamberto Bava
The Atlantis Interceptors Ruggero Deodato Beat Records / DDJ056 / 2023
Occhio, malocchio, prezzemolo e finocchio Sergio Martino Beat Records / DDJ19DLX / 2020
1984 Malombra Bruno Gaburro Hexacord / HCD 18 / 2003
Pianoforte Francesca Comencini
Trainer on the Beach Sergio Martino Beat Records / DDJ16DLX / 2018
1985 My Dearest Son Valentino Orsini

Oliver Onions personnel

1971–1990

2007–present

  • Guido De Angelis - Vocals
  • Maurizio De Angelis - Vocals, guitars, mandolin, piano, keyboards
  • Emanuele Giordani - Drum kit
  • Riccardo Di Vinci - Bass guitar
  • Danny Bronzini - Guitars
  • Filippo Piva - Guitars, vocals
  • Francesco Signorini - Keyboards
  • Marco Zago - Keyboards
  • Fabio Baù - Trumpet, French horn
  • Giovanni Forestan - Saxophone, flute, clarinet
  • Alberto "Zach" Gigante - Additional vocals
  • "Ray" Alberto Secondino - Additional vocals
  • Oliver Onions' 2016 comeback show in Budapest also featured a string quartet and six female backing vocalists, as well as Hungarian orchestra Magyar Studió Zenekar and session choir Cinema Studió Kórus.

Discography

As Oliver Onions

Albums

  • See You Later (1974)
  • Greatest Hits (1977) – GER #32
  • Bulldozer (1979)
  • Six Ways (1979)
  • Santa Maria (1980) – GER #42, AUT #12
  • Brigitte Aerobic (1983; Germany)
  • Best of Bud Spencer & Terence Hill (1992; Germany) – GER #51
  • Future Memorabilia (2021)

Singles

Year Single Chart positions
AUT BE (FLA) BE (WA) ESP GER IT NL SUI
1973 "Flying Through the Air" 8 - - - 4 8 - -
"Christine" (Germany-only release) - - - - - - - -
"Afyon - Oppio" (Italy-only release) - - - - - - - -
1974 "Dune Buggy" 12 - - - 8 2 - -
"Why Is Everyone So Mad" - - - - - - - -
"Take It Easy Joe" - - - - - - - -
"Springtime in Rome" (France-only release) - - - - - - - -
1975 "Zorro Is Back" - - - - - 24 - -
1976 "Sandokan" - 17 24 1 13 2 8 4
1977 "Orzowei" 3 - - 27 1 9 - 7
"Space" (Germany-only release) - - - - - - - -
"Mago" (Italy-only release) - - - - - - - -
1978 "Taking It Easy" - - - - - - - -
"Bulldozer" - - - - 2 - - -
"I Don't Mind Tomorrow" - - - - - - - -
"La Libertá" - - - - - - - -
"Miss Robot" (Germany-only release) - - - - - - - -
"Cock A Doodle Doo" (Germany-only release) - - - - - - - -
"Mompracem" (Italy-only release) - - - - - - - -
1979 "Six Ways" - - - - - - - -
"Sheriff" - - - - - - - -
"S.O.S. Spazio 1999" (Italy-only release) - - - - - 29 - -
"Oh Na Na Na" (Italy-only release) - - - - - - - -
1980 "Tomorrow Is Today" - - - - - - - -
"Santa Maria" 1 - - - 1 - - 2
1981 "Lulù" - - - - 65 - - -
"Quanto Sei Bella Stasera" - - - - - - - -
"Le Avventure di Marco Polo" (Italy-only release) - - - - - - - -
1982 "Fantasy" - - - - - - - -
"Galaxy" (Italy-only release) - - - - - - - -
"Piccola Bambola" - - - - - - - -
1984 "Pizza" (Germany-only release) - - - - - - - -
"Gabbiano" (Germany-only release) - - - - - - - -
"Ghost" (Germany-only release) - - - - - - - -
1985 "Supernoses" (Germany-only release) - - - - - - - -

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Guido y Maurizio De Angelis para niños