The Showmen were an Italian soul/pop/R&B group from Naples. The band was co-founded by bassist/singer Mario Musella and sax player James Senese in 1966, rounded out by Luciano Maglioccola on keyboards, Franco Del Prete (2) on drums, Elio D'Anna on tenor and baritone saxophone and flute, and Giuseppe Botta on guitar. Their first single, 1968's "Un'ora sola ti vorrei", won the "Newcomer" award at Cantagiro, an Italian music competition.
The original group split at the turn of the 70's, with Musella embarking on a solo career (Musella died in 1979), and Elio D'Anna going on to form the band Osanna.
After a short time James Senese and Franco Del Prete (2), aided by the guitarist Giuseppe Botta (now on bass), reformed the group Showmen 2 with a new line-up and sound influenced by Italian rock.
Italy· Napoli