March, 2005
The Di Maggio Connection
Releases "The Wildest Game"
This new CD, issued under the auspices of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame®, contains almost all original compositions penned by Marco Di Maggio, Francesco Chisci, Volker Houghton. A videoclip with the song "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" Rockabilly version, with special guest, Claudio Gregori, aka Greg, well known Italian TV act. The style is a mix of Neobilly, Twang, Surf, Rock'n'Roll. It could be considered as a cocktail of Cramps, Setzer, Heat, in some few words ... Di Maggio style. The CD is for sale now: 15 Euros plus shipping. Send e-mail with request to: Marcodimaggio@libero.it or marco@marcodimaggio.com. For payments with credit cards: areapirata@areapirata.com or apirata@tiscali.it. "The Wildest Game" CD will available at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame® vendor table, at the upcoming Green Bay Rockin' '50s Fest in April.
TRACK LISTING:
1. THE WILDEST GAME
2. EASY FOR YOU
3. WORN OUT LIFE
4. THE TOLL
5. MY F. ROCK'N'ROLL
6. NIGHTMARE
7. KILLING ROCK
8. GOODY TWO SHOES
9. DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD
10. THE TICKET
11. SONGBOOK PREACHERS
12. HILLBILLY HURRICANE
13. SUPERSONIC STUFF
14. EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE
15. DANCE AROUND MY HEART
16. SURF ATTACK/DI MAGGIO THEME
Marco Di Maggio
V. Vittorio Emanuele, 11
50134 Firenze Italia
Phone & Fax: +39 (0)55 482245
Cell. +39 333 2219539
E-Mail: marcodimaggio@libero.it
http://www.marcodimaggio.com Italy
www.rockabillyhall.com/marcodimag.html Usa
"THE DI MAGGIO CONNECTION" CD
Here is the info on how to order Marco Di Maggio's new CD. You should be able to order with paypal, credit cards and cash. The CD, The Di Maggio Connection, is on the Area Pirata label, www.areapirata.com.
E-Mail contacts:
apirata@tiscali.it
areapirata@areapirata.com
apirata@areapirata.com
Marco Di Maggio's Projects
Posted January 31, 2003
A new CD titled "ACOUSTICAT", entirely acoustic with all instruments played by Marco (Guitars, Double Bass, Drums, Banjo, Vocals) - Un nuovo album completamente acustico "ACOUSTICAT" dove Marco suona le chitarre, contrabbasso, batteria, banjo e voci.
A new CD (avalaible also in CD rom) concerning Rockabilly Guitar lessons with 13 tracks, bases without lead guitar for traninig and music tabs title to be announced - Un nuovo CD (sara' disponibile anche in cd rom) riguardante la tecnica strumentale della chitarra rockabilly, completo di tabalture ed esempi. 13 Brani tratti dal repertorio dei grandi chitarristi ed alcuni originali: CHET ATKINS, SCOTTY MOORE, COCHRAN, LES PAUL, BURTON, SETZER e molti altri.
The 2nd Volume of his Cochran Tribute CD after the big success of his first "Thank You, Eddie" ... "I REMEMBER EDDIE..." D'imminente pubblicazione, il secondo volume del tributo ad Eddie Cochran. 16 Brani tratti dal repertorio di Eddie, intitolato appunto: "I REMEMBER EDDIE..."
Big reunion for Marco Di Maggio Trio , next April 2003 in USA. The drummer Alberto 'Woody" Telo' will join Marco's combo with Matteo Giannetti on double bass and they will perform at "VIVA LAS VEGAS 2003 - RHOF DOWNSTAIRS STAGE" during a tour around TEXAS, ARIZONA, NEVADA and CALIFORNIA. Grande reunion per il Marco Di Maggio Trio. Ad Aprile 2003, Marco Di Maggio e Matteo Giannetti, raggiungeranno Alberto 'Woody" TelÚ in quel di Austin, Texas, da dove partiranno per un tour con date in Texas, Nevada (Viva Las Vegas), Arizona e California..\
Recently, Marco's song 'Doo Wop Days" has been choosen as soundtrack for the 'TIM" (Italian Telephone Company) Spot - Un brano in stile Doo Wop, scritto da Marco 'Doo Wop Days", Ë stato scelto dalla TIM per uno spot radiofonico e tuttora funge da introduzione al nƒ 4848 della stessa...Rockabilly calling!
Many other songs penned by Marco has been choosen for important Spots in Canda, Usa, Sweden, Spain, Uk. - Molti altri spots internazionali in Canada, Usa, Spagna, Svezia ed Inghilterra stanno utilizzando brani di Marco Di Maggio
Simone Di Maggio (Marco's Nephew, 16 years old!) instrumental track "Milkshake Boogie" (from his cd Everybody's Movin') has been choosen by Bob Timmers (President of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame) as opening background music for the biggest Rockabilly website on the planet: click on and listen!!. La Rockabilly Hall of Fame con sede a Nashville Tennessee, ha scelto un brano di Simone Di Maggio (nipote di Marco) come sigla introduttiva del sito Rockabilly piu' visitato del pianeta. Il brano s'intitola "Milkshake Boogie" ed il sito: www.rockabillyhall.com
Simone Di Maggio new website; http://digilander.iol.it/simonedimaggio Il nuovo sito di Simone Di Maggio AND New band formed by Simone: THE ASTROPHONICS, featuring Danny La Torre on Double bass and Larry Kotroz on drums... Simone ha formato una nuova band dedita ad un cocktail di Surf e Rockabilly..."THE ASTROPHONICS"...
January, 2003
MARCO'S 2nd EDDIE COCHRAN TRIBUTE CD will be ready in February, 2003.
It will available from Vampirella Music or from Marco.
Di Maggio Bros. Photo Page
Also see SIMONE DI MAGGIOMARCO DI MAGGIO is now the Official Representative for the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Italy. He would like to review your CD for Italian magazines and news media. Please contact Marco on how and where to submit your material. ALSO: Marco is doing booking in Central Europe under the Rockabilly Hall of Fame name. Please send your PR info to him. He sincerely wants to help promote rockabilly in Italy and Europe.
ASK FOR MARCO'S BIG FULL COLOR BROCHURE
E-mail Marco. Thank you.
DI MAGGIO BROS. - "Full Speed." On the Vampirella label is the second CD from these amazing cats from Florence, Italy. Those of you who own their first disc "Rockabilly from the Boots Up) will really enjoy this CD! Marco's picking is better than beven. Brother Massino's vocals are haunting and the bass man, Matt Giannetti, is right on. The trio sounds like full band, simply wonderful!
SIMONE DI MAGGIO - "Everybody's Movin'!" 14 Tracks from another member of the talented Florence, Italy family. Simone sings the vocals and picks the lead. This younster, still in his mid-teens presents strong, spicey arrangements of his personal early rockabilly/rock favorites. A model for all young rockers coming on to the scene. Label: Vampirella.
Photos: Rod Pyke
MARCO DI MAGGIO at THE CHICKEN SHACK BROGBOROUGH
SATURDAY 9th FEBRUARY 2002
Courtesy: Colin Kilgour - Feb. 11, 2002 - UK - A few Listers converged on the minuscule village of Brogborough near MK. There was CK, Rod Pyke, Rob Humphreys and after navigating their way, Bill Beard and family. We witnessed a superb set from Italy's Marco Di Maggio who proved to be not only an excellent performer but all-round nice guy as well. His scorching fingerwork across the Gretsch fretboard made me expect the cherry red beauty to burst into flames at any time. In fact he's so damned fast, I wouldn't be surprised if a computer count registered a million notes during the set. But it wasn't all about speed, if anything I enjoyed it more when he varied the tempo and highlights for me included:
I Just Found Out
Blue Days Black Nights
I Don't Care if The Sun Don't Shine
Sittin' In The Balcony
I Need Your Love Tonight
Crying, Waiting, Hoping
and a tasty instrumental (o' course) Sleepwalk
To quote a certain Mr. Knopfler, writer of one of the tracks on the 2 CDs I bought after the gig from Marco's trunk, "Oh yeah the boy can play" My word, can he play. I detected a touch of the Scotty Moore's here & there and Rob said the same re some Cliff Gallup flourishes. The only disappointing thing for me (and it applies to most things I go to see) is the apathetic attitude of the majority of the audience. Granted it's difficult to applaud with a pint in yer hand but there are ways of yelping your approval. The man from Florence deserved better but it was a tribute to his professionalism and obvious enthusiasm for the music that he didn't let it stand in the way of putting on a helluva show for the folks who were happy to demonstrate their pleasure.
As Rod highlighted earlier, these dates follow - catch him if you can
14th Feb Carshalton Ex Serviceman's Club, West Street, Carshalton, Surrey
15th Feb The Dome, Lower Road, Hockley, Essex
16th Feb The Air Balloon, Mile End Road, Portsmouth
MORE : MARCO DI MAGGIO AT THE CHICKEN SHACK, BROGBOROUGH
By Rob Humphreys. Marco barnstormed into Brogborough for the debut of his current tour and took no prisoners. Playing for around 90 mins he left us all exhausted and dazzled by his sheer artistry and commitment. He started in about third gear and swiftly moved up into overdrive. The only let up came when for one number he slowed things down and treated us to a multi chorded version of that old instrumental classic Sleepwalk - oh he also paused after about an hour to change his trusty Gretsch for an old battered Fender. Backed by just slap bass and drums this was a tour de force of Rockabilly - Blue Days, Black Nights, All By Myself, I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine, Cabin On The Hill - I can't remember them all but trust me they were excellent. Some Elvis (pre '60 of course..), some Eddie, a few instrumentals of his own. You might say why all the cover versions? But these aint cover versions 'cos he makes them his own and what better excuse to embellish those favourite guitar breaks of ours with even more fancy licks! The highlight number for me was Double Talkin' Baby with some three-dimensional Cliff Gallup guitar runs. There were quite a few calls for Highway Patrol (off Marco's Superpickin' CD) and this one Marco really has made his own - the tune is still running through my brain 24 hours afterwards. Marco and the boys came back for a three-song encore and the stand out track was the Stray Cats Rock This Town Tonight and Marco now back with his Gretsch went into warp speed. Aspiring guitarists go to see this man at your peril as you will realise how futile your own efforts could be. I'm sorry if this review is too enthusiastic but I cannot find any faults - like the old showmen used to say 'you get your money's worth in the first ten minutes and the rest of the show is free'. The flyers advertise Marco as 'from Florence' - don't let that make you think you aint gonna get the real thing - he's really from Planet Rockabilly .......
It was also nice to meet fellow Listers Colin Kilgour, Bill Beard and Rod Pyke.
MARCO on stage with Paul Burlison and Rocky Burnette at Viva Las Vegas 2001 - April 15th 2001 on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame's "West Lounge" Gold Coast Hotel Show stage.
MARCO on stage at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, April 5, 2001. for Gene Vincent's Tribute portion of the "Rockin' at the Ryman" Show. Also on stage D.J. Fontana (drums), Bobby Cochran (Eddie's newphew), Steve King (WGN-Chicago) and Bill Mack (Blue Cap).
MARCO doing a solo set at Nashville's Sutler Sunday, April 8, 2001. Joining Marco on stage later that evening were David Roe, Bobby Cochran and Rosie Flores.
Marco Di Maggio is an excellent guitar player/singer with several stage experiences, he began playing at the age of 13 in different local bands. He has been recognized from the international press as one of the top world's rockabilly guitarist. His brilliant musical background covers many styles, ranging from Rockabilly, Western Swing, Country/Jazz Fingerstyle and Rock'n'Roll.
Leader of bands as DI MAGGIO BROS., MARCO DI MAGGIO ROCKABILLY TRIO, MARCO DI MAGGIO & THE SHOCKABILLY ORCHESTRA, he has partecipate at top Meetings and Venues such as: VIVA LAS VEGAS 2000 & 2001 (NEVADA - USA), THE GRAND OLE OPRY/RYMAN AUDITORIUM 2001 (NASHVILLE - TN - USA), THE JACKSON ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL 2000 (JACKSON - TN - USA), THE ROCKABILLY RAVE 1998/2001 (PONTINS - UK), THE EDDIE COCHRAN WEEKENDER 1999/2001 (CHIPPENHAM - UK) and, with the DI MAGGIO BROS., he will play at the event of the century "GREEN BAY ROCKIN'50's FEST" (July 2002), Wisconsin, USA.
He played with top original stars from the fifties and new act too as:
D.J. FONTANA (ELVIS' DRUMMER)
THE GENE VINCENT'S BLUE CAPS
ROBERT GORDON
LINDA GAIL LEWIS (JERRY LEE'S SISTER)
TERRY WILLIAMS (THE DIRE STRAITS DRUMMER)
PAUL BURLISON (LEAD GUITAR FROM JOHNNY BURNETTE R'N'R TRIO)
RAY CAMPI
ROCKY BURNETTE (JOHNNY BURNETTE'S SON)
NARVEL FELTS
GARY LAMBERT (LEAD GUITAR FOR EDDIE COCHRAN AND GLEN GLENN)
BILLY SWAN
KEVIN SMITH (HIGHNOON/BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA)
DAVE ROE (BASSIST FOR JOHNNY CASH)
LISA PANKRATZ
SONNY BURGESS
ALBERT LEE
RONNIE DAWSON
ROSIE FLORES
DARREL HIGHAM
MARTIN ACE
GEOFF FIREBAUGH (BASSIST FROM SCOTTY MOORE BAND)
BOBBY COCHRAN (EDDIE'S NEPHEW)
BILL MACK (BLUE CAPS BASSIST'S)
and on the same bill with:
BILL HALEY'S COMETS, BUDDY HOLLY'S CRICKETS, MARTY STUART, WANDA JACKSON, BRENDA LEE, THE ELVIS' JORDANAIRES, JACK SCOTT, TOM BRESH, ACE CANNON, BOOTS RANDOLPH and many more ...In 1990 he started playing professionally with his first band called "EDDIE & THE HOUSEROCKERS", neo-rockabilly trio, appearing in Italy and abroad in more than 1.000 gigs.
In 1995, during his first UK's tour, he formed the band "THE ITALIAN LOVEGODS" with TERRY WILLIAMS (THE DIRE STRAITS DRUMMER) and MARTIN ACE (MAN), appearing a couple of times at the British TV.
In '96 he toured all over Italy with the ITALIAN LOVEGODS appearing at top national TV SHOWS. In '97, he started giving guitar lessons in different stages and school seminars for LIZARD (one of the most important european guitar academies). His experiences made him realize a didactic video concerning rockabilly guitar techniques titled, "ROCKABILLY ELECTRIC GUITAR".
In the same year he formed the band DI MAGGIO BROS., (featuring his brother MASSIMO DI MAGGIO on vocals/guitar and MATTEO GIANNETTI on double bass) realizing the album "ROCKABILLY FROM THE BOOTS UP", produced by BOB TIMMERS, President of the ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME - USA. BOB TIMMERS SAYS: "THE MORE PURE REFRESHING ROCKABILLY BAND I'VE HEARD FROM LONG TIME. WITH A LITTLE LUCK THEY COULD BE THE STRAYCATS OF 2000." The album had immediately great priase from the international press. JOE WAIGEL from LAS VEGAS says: "WHY AMERICAN GROUPS ARE NOT THIS GOOD? I PREDICT THIS WILL BE THE CD OF '98."
In '99 MARCO DI MAGGIO signed for the German label VAMPIRELLA MUSIC, realizing three albums and appearing in more than 20 compilations as: "KINGS OF ROCKABILLY GUITAR" and "CASH ON DELIVERY". In the same year came out his album "THANK YOU EDDIE", tribute to EDDIE COCHRAN.
In April 2000 his name is inducted as "HONORARY MEMBER OF THE ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME" on the web site: www.rockabillyhall.com/marcodimag.html and he's the only european artist included at "THE OPENING OF THE JACKSON ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL", Tennessee, USA. He performed at "VIVA LAS VEGAS 2000" with KEVIN SMITH (HIGHNOON) and DICKIE HARREL (GENE VINCENT'S BLUE CAPS).
After touring during summer 2000 he released the album "SUPERPICKING" where he played all instruments (GUITAR, PIANO, DOUBLE BASS, DRUMS, BANJO & VOCALS) just helped on a few tracks by MATTEO GIANNETTI and BLASCO MIRABELLA. (See "Now Dig This" November 2000, review by Harry Dodds)
In September 2000, with his ROCKABILLY TRIO, he performed again at the 6th EDDIE COCHRAN WEEKEND in the U.K. and on March 3rd 2001 he will be on stage at the ROCKABILLY RAVE "GUITAR FORUM".
QUOTES FROM ORIGINAL ARTISTS AND MAGAZINES
"I played with the greatests, MARK KNOPFLER, B.B.KING, ERIC CLAPTON, ALBERT LEE and i can say that MARCO DI MAGGIO is one of them" TERRY WILLIAMS (THE DIRE STRAITS' DRUMMER)MARCO DI MAGGIO"The cd of the DI MAGGIO BROS. is a killer! These cats from Florence, Italy, really know how to shake that shack. But beyond the good rockin' beat, we have an astoundingly guitar virtuoso throught out this superb record with extremely strong harmonies" RONNIE WEISER (ROLLIN' ROCK RECORDS-USA)
"Very good album with strong vocals and some of the best guitar work i've heard from long time" STEVE AYNSLEY (NOW DIG THIS MAGAZINE-UK)
"The most pure, refreshing rockabilly trio I've heard from long time" -BOB TIMMERS (PRESIDENT OF THE ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME)
"HIGH SPEED PICKIN', a manic pickin' instro, just to show the guitarist can play even better than he has done so far" MARC FENECH (SOUTHERN & ROCKIN' MUSIC MAGAZINE-UK/FINLAND)
"They're all great musicians and have fantastic voices. They are going to do somethin' really important" BILLY SWAN (GOLD RECORD in the US with "I CAN HELP" and producer for TONY JOE WHITE)
"This is some high speed stuff, no doubt about it. I predict this will be the CD of '98. Why american groups aren't this good?" JOE WAIGEL - LAS VEGAS
"An incredible italian rockabilly band with a great feeling, guided by an authentic guitar virtuoso" MARTIN ACE (MAN)
"Great album, great voices and he's a hell of guitar player" BOB "GIT IT" KELLY (SONGWRITER FOR GENE VINCENT)
"The DI MAGGIO BROS. are a great band and MARCO DI MAGGIO is one of world's best rockabilly guitar" LINDA GAIL LEWIS (JERRY LEE's SISTER) USA
"Man, that boy can play!... and what a nice guy. He's gonna go places for sure" DICKIE BE-BOP HARREL (ORIGINAL DRUMMER FOR GENE VINCENT & THE BLUE CAPS) USA
"Great album, great musicians" BOB Mc CARVER (JERRY LEE LEWIS MANAGER) USA
"After having the privilege and the pleasure of seeing MARCO DI MAGGIO at the 1999 EDDIE COCHRAN WEEKENDER, i must suggest that you consider to buy all his albums, including the tribute to EDDIE COCHRAN "THANK YOU EDDIE". Marco has the spirit of Eddie but is no slavish copyst. His recording add to Eddie's legacy. He has a Gretsch tattooed on his arm demonstrating his love for this music" BOB HUME (THE COCHRAN CONNECTION) UK
"The titlle of his last album "SUPERPICKIN'"
VIA V.EMANUELE II, 11
50134 FLORENCE
ITALY
PHONE & FAX: 0039+055+482245
E-MAIL ADDRESS: marcodimaggio@libero.it
http//: www.marcodimaggio.com
LET ME TELL YOU MY STORY ...
MARCO DI MAGGIO:
I own my first guitar at the age of 6 but in truth, my parents bought it for my brother Massimo's birthday! I remember the moment when they opened the package with the guitar and I started cryin' 'cause i wanted to be the owner of the instrument, so they decided to buy two guitars just to make me stop cryin'..... i was jealous!!! Anyway that was the day that changed my life; from that moment I'd never stop playin' and singin'.
My first time on stage was at the age of 8 during a contest, I then continued to partecipate at many festivals, makin' my first TV appearence at the age of 10, singin' and playin' a Rod Stewart tune!! Yes! I didn't play rockabilly!
I started to play Rock 'n' Roll and Rockabilly thanks to lucky circumstances. There was a neighbour (a young lady) that gave Massimo and me some Elvis Presley records. At first I didn't like Elvis much because those records were not Rockabilly but slow songs, such as, "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" or "It's Now Or Never". Massimo really loved the tunes from that first moment, and he decided to buy some albums of the King.
DESTINY!!! Yes, when i listened to Elvis' "Rockin' Days" I changed my opinion about Elvis and started to listen really carefully to the Scotty Moore licks.
Massimo, who was just fifthteen, started to sing in Elvis' style resembling the King in person, even if he was so young!!
We formed our first band when I was 12 and Massimo 17, "THE SHARKS" featuring the brothers Paolo and Giancarlo Mugnai on Bass and Drums.
Dressing in leather jackets and putting a lot of grease on our pomps we started performin' in many local parties and clubs, even appearing (when I was 14) on the most important stage in Tuscany, "BUSSOLADOMANI" where, just one night before us, performed RAY CHARLES.
It was a good time, but I was so young to travel so much and just 6 months later I decided to quit live music.
I returned to music again due to another lucky circumstance. I was spending my holidays in Greece, when after a great dinner and many, many beers with my friends we went into a club called "The Avalon Bar". There was a guitar standing alone so I asked the owner: Hey man! who's playin' tonite? Then he said: nobody ...
(me) I can play if you want! he said: yes, why not!
That night I played any tunes I knew from Elvis, Straycats, Beatles; the people asked for more three times! Then, the owner (George), came up to me and said: Alright son, how much money do you want for play each night in my club?
What I wanna tell you guys, from that moment I understood how important it was to me, and why I felt I wanted to play music.
When back in Florence, Italy (the city where I was born and where I'm still living) I formed a band called "EDDIE & THE HOUSEROCKERS" featuring DANIELE TORRINI on double bass and RENZO FRANCHI on drums. I choose this name for my admiration for EDDIE COCHRAN.
With this trio, created in 1990, I started performing in all major clubs and also abroad, appearing in top venues. In 1995 I won an important TV contest at "ROXY BAR", on air at VIDEOMUSIC TV. The style of the band played many rockin' STRAYCATS' tunes and some original numbers, ranging from Rockabilly to Country & Western.
I never cared about what style I was playing, 'cause I like and listen to many different kinds of rockin' genres.
I like many guitar vortuosos, such as: LES PAUL, CHET ATKINS, MERLE TRAVIS and DJIANGO REINHARDT and I listened to licks of SCOTTY MOORE, CLIFF GALLUP, JAMES BURTON and PAUL BURLISON (I played with him, it was great!!). I like also many blues men from the 30's and the 40's and all that jazz from the beginning years of the 50's.
I love BRIAN SETZER and the STRAYCATS 'cause they showed people how easy it could be to play rockabilly music with a professional feel.
I love many bands in today's scene, such as: BIG SANDY & HIS FLY-RITE BOYS, HIGH NOON, DEKE DEKERSON, DANNY GATTON, HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN and many more.
Playing rockabilly is not so easy, as you may well know? The biggest difficulty is to make three chords sound like twenty!! To play this way you need to listen and learn many styles: Blues, Country, Western Swing, Hillbilly, Swing, Rhythm 'n' Blues and of course, Rock 'n' Roll.
When I formed the band "THE DI MAGGIO BROS." with Massimo and Sasso Battaglia, I thought how really nice it was to play and write songs many different styles. You can hear it on the album "ROCKABILLY FROM THE BOOTS UP".
I remember the time when I sent a copy of our first demo to BOB TIMMERS (PRESIDENT OF THE ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME). He called me at home and he said: "Wonderful job, I wanna produce it!! From that moment, the Di Maggio Bros. started to get populair in the U.S. and many magazines reviewed our album with great comments.
From '98 my career made a great step into the international rockabilly scene and permited me to meet and play together with my rockin' idols.
Actually, I have released four albums and make more then twenty appearences on international compilations, two didactic videos and have a book coming up soon.
I write monthly for a big magazine called "GUITAR CLUB" and in a good rockin' tradition I introduced my nephew SIMONE DI MAGGIO onto the rockabilly scene, in fact, he'll record his first album this year (only 15 years old ) and he's performing in some clubs!
THE DI MAGGIO BROS.
The Band born in '97 thanks to great love for Hillbilly music of the two brothers: MARCO and MASSIMO DI MAGGIO.They know how to shake that shack so, after hot gigs around Italy, they decided to record an album. During the recording sessions, Marco sent a demo to Bob Timmers (President of the ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME). After listening it, he called Marco offering to produce the album: "ROCKABILLY FROM THE BOOTS UP" came out during the summer '98, receiving great praise from the international press.
They appeared at top venues and international meetings such as: VIVA LAS VEGAS 2000/2001, THE OPENING OF JACKSON ROCKABILLY MUSEUM 2000, THE GRAND OLE OPRY/RYMAN AUDITORIUM 2001, THE ROCKABILLY RAVE '98/'01 and coming soon, THE ROCKIN' 50's FEST in Green Bay, WI 2002 and many more.
. The Di Maggio Bros. became soon a great reality in the Rockabilly/Country scene, receiving many requests for gigs and important festivals.
They appeared in more than 25 international Rockabilly Compilations (see discography below).
In '99 Matteo Giannetti replace Sasso Battaglia on Double Bass and Marco Di Maggio has recognized as one of the greatest guitar player all over the world.
Their album "ROCKABILLY FROM THE BOOTS UP" it's the Best-Seller of the ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME and Bob Timmers says: "With a little luck, the DI MAGGIO BROS. could be the Straycats of 2000, they have the keys to bring Rockabilly Music at the top".
Another great comment: "Why american groups are not this good? I predict that Rockabilly From The Boots Up will be the CD of '98" (Joe Waigel - Las Vegas).
The Di Maggio Bros. pleases the audience performing in various sets ranging from Western Swing/Hillbilly to pure Rockabilly with strong vocal harmonies, a powerfull slappin' bass and a superpicking guitar work.
Listening the D.M.B. you can find influences from Elvis' vocal style to country harmonies in Everly Brothers' style and great fingerpicking guitar work likes Les Paul and Chet Atkins style. They perform a lot of self-penned numbers as SAD AND BLUE, GROUPY BABY or the manic pickin' instro HIGH SPEED PICKING.
The DI MAGGIO BROS. are:
MARCO DI MAGGIO - Lead Guitar, Vocals
MASSIMO DI MAGGIO - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Rhythm
MATTEO GIANNETTI - Double Bass
.
MARCO DI MAGGIO &
THE SHOCKABILLY ORCHESTRA
The band born during the summer of 2000 from the evolution of the MARCO DI MAGGIO ROCKABILLY TRIO. Marco always loved jazz music and the old big-bands from the 40's. So after rockin' around the world with his bands, he realized his dream: a swing orchestra!! His seven pieces orchestra is'nt really a swing orchestra, 'cause the repertoire chosen includes many different styles. These range from old big-band swing, passing thru rockabilly/western swing and a wild 60's thrilling sound influenced by the old movie's soundtracks in Henry Mancini's style. During their gigs you can hear sophisticated jazz licks, jump-blues, dixieland passing thru exotic surf-lounge atmosphere, with many original tracks written by Marco Di Maggio. Last but not least, a lot of great rockabilly hits revisited in an old big-band style. The band, composed of expert musicians, includes the following line-up:MARCO DI MAGGIO - VOCALS, GUITAR
MATTEO GIANNETTI - DOUBLE BASS
MARCO BARSANTI - DRUMS
CLAUDIO GIOVAGNOLI - TENOR SAX
DENIS SASSI - TROMBONE
CORRADO BOSCO - ALTO SAX
ROBERTO PAPIS - TRUMPET
MARCO DI MAGGIO DISCOGRAPHY
TELE ROCK'N'ROLL - Rockhouse Rec. 1995
ROCKABILLY GUITAR - Playgame Music - 1997
ROCKABILLY FROM THE BOOTS UP - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame 1998
THANK YOU EDDIE - Vampirella Rec. - 1999
SUPERPICKING - Vampirella Rec. - 2000
AT FULL SPEED - Vampirella Rec. - 2001
EVERYBODY'S MOVIN' - Vampirella Rec. - 2001
SOME COMPILATIONS
CASH ON DELIVERY - CMH Rec. - 1998
ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME Vol. 2 - RabHof - 1998
ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME Vol. 3 - RabHof - 1999
SWING YOUR HIPS - Whampire Rec. - 1999
SWING, JIVE & WAIL - Whampire Rec. - 1999
KINGS OF ROCKABILLY GUITAR - Vampirella Rec. - 1999
WILD MEN BOP 3 - Vampirella Rec. - 1999
WILD MEN BOP 4 - Vampirella Rec. - 1999
THE TRIBUTE TO BUDDY HOLLY - Whampire Rec. - 1999
ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME Vol. 4 - RabHof - 2000
WILD MEN BOP 5 - Vampirella Rec. - 2000 5TH ANNIVERSARY VYNIL - Whampire Rec. - 2000
ELVIS STILL ALIVE - Vampirella Rec. - 2000
JAMBOREE XMAS ALBUM - Jamboree Rec. - 2000
WILD MEN BOP 6 - Vampirella Rec. - 2001
THE SUN TRIBUTE - Vampirella Rec. - 2001
Coming soon: the book - "ROCKABILLY ELECTRIC GUITAR"
CONTACTS: MARCO DI MAGGIO: 0039 055 482245 (PHONE & FAX)
E-MAIL: marcodimaggio@libero.it
SIMONE DI MAGGIO Simone Di Maggio (15 years old!!), is a young and wild Rockabilly Kid from Florence, Italy. His love for Rockabilly music comes from his family. He grew up listening to his father's Rockabilly records. His father (Massimo Di Maggio) and his uncle (Marco) are well-known as the Di Maggio Bros. On his debut album, "Everybody's Movin'", he plays electric guitar and sings in classic rockin' and Doo-Wop tradition, showing a variety of rockin' influences from the likes of Dion & the Belmonts to Larry Collins and Eddie Cochran. Simone plays all over Italy and his name appears on major festivals. Just take a listen to "Party Doll" or his instrumental, "Milkshake Boogie" and you know how great this kid will be in the near future. (posted May, 2002).
& the Rockabilly RebelsINFO & BOOKINGS:
THE ROCKABILLY CONNECTION - +39+(0)55+482245
marcodimaggio@libero.it
courtesy: Barbara Fileti
Visit Marco's Own Site: www.marcodimaggio.com
Photos: Faye Huffman
E-mail the Rockabilly Hall of Fame Office
© Rockabilly Hall of Fame®
