Mike Francis

Mike Francis
Background information
Birth name	Michele Francesco Puccioni
Born	April 26, 1961 Florence
Origin	Italy
Died	January 30, 2009 (aged 47) Rome
Genres	Smooth jazz, pop rock, blue-eyed soul, chill-out, Italo disco (1980s work)
Years active	1982–2009
Labels	RCA Records
Associated acts	Blank & Jones, Rossana Casale, Mystic Diversions, Amii Stewart, Aidan Zammit

Michele Francesco Puccioni (April 26, 1961 – January 30, 2009), better known under his stage name Mike Francis, was an Italian singer and composer, born in Florence. He was best known for his 1984 hit, "Survivor".

Career

Francis formed his first band at age 14 with schoolmates from l'Istituto di Studi Americano in Rome. He had his first hit with "Survivor" in 1984 and went on to record ten studio albums.

Among his best known works is the song "Friends" from 1985, a duet with Amii Stewart, which became a big hit in the UK and in the Philippines.

His album Inspired followed the cover of Van Morrison's "Someone Like You", together with Blank & Jones for the compilation album Café del Mar Vol. 12. His website states him as saying: "From that moment many other songs were born, in a simple and spontaneous way, simply "inspired"..."^[1]

Beginning in 2000, assisted by his brother Mario (Mari-One) and by the Maltese multi-instrumentalist Aidan Zammit, he gave life to the group Mystic Diversions.^[2] Songs by Mystic Diversions were featured on many high-profile chill-out and lounge compilations. In addition to new, original song material, the group also did covers of famous 70s and 80s songs like "Float On" (by The Floaters), and "A Warm Summer Night" (by Chic). The band was composed of members Francesko (Francesco Puccioni), Mari-One (Mari-One Puccioni), and Aidan Zammit. Additional musicians for live sets consisted of Agostino Marangolo (drums), Fabio Pignatelli (bass), Marco Rinalduzzi (guitars), Giovanni Imparato (percussion and vocals), and Wendy Lewis & Laura Serra (backing vocals).^[3]

Death

Francis died aged 47 on January 30, 2009 of lung cancer in Rome.^[4] His last compilation album The Very Best Of Mike Francis (All Was Missing) was released just days before his death.

Discography

References