Zenza
Zenza | |
|---|---|
 The original 4 members of Zenza. Left to right: Bernacco Olinus, Iverno Lovescozzi, Lofi Costinzi, and Giovanito Pistino | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Venceia, Caphiria |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
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| Labels | Intranto Records |
| Past members |
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Zenza was a Caphirian rock band formed in Venceia in 1964. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Distinguished by their philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, extended compositions, and elaborate live shows, they are one of the most commercially successful and influential groups in popular music history.
Zenza was originally founded by Lofi Costinzi on guitar and lead vocals, Giovanito Pistino on drums, Iverno Lovescozzi on bass and vocals, and Bernacco Olinus on keyboards and vocals. Zenza gained popularity performing in Venceia's underground music scene during the late 1960s, and under Costinzi's leadership, released two charting singles and a successful debut album, the self-titled Zenza in 1964. Diusto Iscalda joined Zenza later in 1971 and eventually replaced Costinzi as the lead singer and guitarist following his deteriorating mental health. In 1975, Costinzi committed suicide, and Zenza went on hiatus for five years. Zenza announced their comeback tour in the summer of 1980 with Iscalda as the primary lyricist and conceptual leader. He devised the concepts behind their next series of albums Homina Dæmonium, Ire Praeterita, Peregre Advenienti, Usus Requiratur, and Mediae Oleum. Usus Requiratur and Mediae Oleum became two of the best-selling albums of all time.
Following creative tensions, various members left and rejoined Zenza over the next two decades. The band produced one final double album in 1995 in memory of Lofi Costinzi on the 20th anniversary of his passing called Spectaculum Oportet. Zenza toured one last time in 2004 to celebrate their fortieth anniversary and stated they had no further plans to reunite the band or to release any additional material. By their 50th anniversary in 2014, the only living member was Iscalda.
Zenza was inducted into the Caphirian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Global Music Hall in 2001. To date, Zenza has sold more than 190 million records worldwide.
History
Discography
- Zenza (1964 independently; 1965 re-release)
- Commercii Contrivi (Commercial Brake) (1967)
- Arganti (Focus) (1968)
- Cimiterio Vivos (Cemetery of the Living) (1969)
- Homina Dæmonium (Humanity or Divinity) (1971)
- Ire Praeterita (Journey to the Past) (1980)
- Peregre Advenienti (Arrival from Abroad) (1984)
- Usus Requiratur (Experience Required) (1989)
- Mediae Oleum (Midnight Oil) (1992)
- Spectaculum Oportet (The Show Must...) (1995)
Tours
- The Zenza Experience (1965)
- In Observance of Zenza (1968)
- In Recognition of Zenza (1969-70)
- Zenza Town Hall Global Tour (1970-71)
- The Zenza Regionals (1980)
- World Zenza (1981-82)
- Zenza: Beyond (1984-86)
- Zenza: Still Beyond (1986-88)
- The Foundations Tour (1990)
- The Zenza Confessions Tour (1992-93)
- Zenza Presents: Lofi's Show (1995)
- The Zenza Experience 40 (2004)