Pier Niccolò “Bambi” Fossati, guitarist, singer and composer for trailblazing Italian progressive rock band Garybaldi died in Genoa on June 7, 2014. He had been ill for some time and was staying at a nursing home.
Pier Niccolò “Bambi” Fossati was born in Genoa on April 28, 1949. He got his nickname Bambi from his grandmother when he was small, because of his habit of moving away while playing in a forest in the place where he went on vacation. At thirteen, he learned to play the guitar. In 1965 he founded the group Gleemen, the foundation of the future Garybaldi. With Gleemen, Fossati began to perform live in the streets and clubs of the Rivieras of Liguria and Piedmont, with a repertoire that included songs by the Rolling Stones and the Beatles.
In 1970 the Gleemen recorded their first self-titled album before the transformation into Garybaldi. The album contained rhythm and blues, hard rock and psychedelic music. Fossati’s dominant instrument was clearly inspired by Jimi Hendrix. With Garybaldi, Fossati released two more albums, Nuda [Naked] (1972) and Astrolabio [Astrolabe] (1973).
After Garybaldi disbanded, Fossati took part in numerous other projects, including Bambibanda and Melodie e Acustico Mediterraneo (Acoustic Melodies and Mediterranean). In the 1990s, Fossati returned as Bambi Fossati e Garybaldi. This new band released four albums: Bambi Fossati e Garybaldi (1990), Bambi Comes Alive (1993), Blokko 45 (1996), La ragione e il torto (2004).
Great guitarist! RIP Bambi…