PROFILE - Banco del Mutuo Soccorso: The Most International Italian Progressive Rock

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (from 1979 to 1990, simply Banco) are among the greatest exponents of Italian progressive rock, with a significant following not only in Italy but also (if not especially) abroad.

Founded in Rome in 1968 by Vittorio Nocenzi and his brother Gianni, the group's name was suggested by the director of RCA, referring to the mutual aid societies that protected workers.

Characterized by the magnificent classical piano of Gianni Nocenzi (on their early albums), the jazz-inspired talent of his brother Vittorio, and the stunning voice of Francesco Di Giacomo, a great singer and man.

Unique in the Italian music scene, with a distinctive, recognizable sound that blends bel canto and typical Italian melodies with rock, jazz, and classical inspiration, with a strong tendency toward virtuosity, engaging and profound lyrics, and complex musical structures performed with first-rate technical skill.

In the mid-1970s, the band's sound shifted, embracing jazz-rock influences. Compositionally, the songs moved away from long suites and began to take on the form of songs, with emotional and interlocutory lyrics that still inspire reflection today.

On February 21, 2014, during the Sanremo Music Festival, the tragic death of Francesco Di Giacomo, caused by a car accident, was announced.

After a period of silence, the band resumed its activity, which continues to this day with the release of Storie Invisibili in 2025.

I consider absolute masterpieces by this immense band, of primary importance to Italian and international progressive rock, some unparalleled and unparalleled gems, such as "Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso" and "Darwin!" from 1972, Io Sono Nato Libero from 1973, and my personal favorite of all their albums, Come In Un'Ultima Cena from 1976.

Il Banco are a piece of Italian music history; they left an indelible mark not only on their music, but on the society of the 1970s, which they spoke about at length in their lyrics, with a clear political commitment during those years.

Current Members

Vittorio Nocenzi (keyboards, vocals)

Filippo Marcheggiani (guitar)

Nicola Di Già (guitar)

Tony D'Alessio (vocals)

Marco Capozi (bass)

Dario Esposito (drums)

Former Members

Mario Achilli – drums (1968–1969)

Claudio Falco – guitar (1969–1971)

Fabrizio Falco – bass (1968–1971)

Franco Pontecorvi – drums (1969–1971)

Marcello Todaro – guitar (1971–1973)

Renato D'Angelo – bass (1971–1978)

Karl Potter – percussion (1979–1980)

Gianni Colajacomo – bass (1978-1984)

Gianni Nocenzi – keyboards (1968-1984)

Gabriel Amato – bass, keyboards (1985)

Paolo Carta – guitar (1986-1987)

Pierluigi Calderoni – drums (1971-1992)

Francesco Di Giacomo – vocals (1971-2014)

Maurizio Masi – drums (1992-2015)

Alessandro Papotto – wind instruments (1999-2015)

Rodolfo Maltese – guitar, wind instruments (1973-2015)

Arnaldo Vacca – percussion (2014-2015)

John De Leo – vocals (2015-2016)

Tiziano Ricci – bass (1987-2016)

Vito Sardo – drums (2015-2016)

Maurizio Solieri – guitar (2015-2016)

Augusto Zanonzini – drums (2016-2017)

Fabio Moresco – drums (2017-2023)

Nicola Di Già – guitar (2013-2023)

Dario Esposito – drums (2023-2025)