Ric Formosa

Ric Formosa
Birth name Riccardo Formosa
Also known as Rick Formosa
Born (1954-09-01) 1 September 1954
Origin Rome, Italy
Genres pop, classical
Occupation(s) Musician, composer, arranger
Instruments Slide guitar, guitar, piano
Years active 1974–present
Associated acts Little River Band

Riccardo "Ric" Formosa (born 1 September 1954) is an Italian-born Australian musician and composer. He was the lead guitarist for pop band Little River Band from 1975 to 1976 and recorded their first two albums, Little River Band and After Hours.

Early life

Riccardo Formosa was born in Rome, Italy but grew up in Montreal, Canada. He migrated to Australia in 1974 and worked as a music arranger and studio musician.[1] He joined Australian pop group Little River Band shortly after arriving in Australia.[2]

Little River Band

Main article: Little River Band

Original Little River Band (LRB) lead guitarist, Graham Davidge, played only on LRB's first recording session, a cover of The Everly Brothers' song "When Will I Be Loved". Formosa replaced Davidge shortly after.[3][4]

Formosa played on the first two LRB albums, Little River Band and After Hours. For the latter he wrote the song "Bourbon Street" and co-wrote "Another Runaway" with fellow member Beeb Birtles.[5] Formosa toured Australia with Little River Band, playing 311 shows in 1975–1976. He was replaced by David Briggs in August 1976.[3][6]

On 19 August 1980, Formosa joined an ensemble of pop artists in a memorial concert for Andrew Durant (ex-Stars' guitarist-songwriter who had died earlier that year). Formosa played slide guitar, guitar and piano. A live double-LP, The Andrew Durant Memorial Concert, was released on Mushroom Records in 1980.[7]

Composer

Formosa was awarded an Australia Council fellowship in 1983 and studied with Franco Donatoni at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome and at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena. He also attended masterclasses in conducting with Franco Ferrara.[8] On returning to Australia, Formosa worked for Victorian College of the Arts, the Victorian Arts Studio and Musica Viva. Formosa works as an arranger, conductor and studio musician for recordings, radio and television.[1] He also has an extensive catalogue of compositions.[9]

Awards

Formosa has won awards and commendations during his career, including:

Year Award Organisation
1988 John Bishop Memorial Prize[1] University of Adelaide
1991 Gold Lion Award[1] Cannes Advertising Festival
1991 Best International Television Commercial (Music)[1] Mobius Advertising Awards
2003 Best Music for Children's Television[10] APRA Screen Music Awards

Family

Formosa's daughter Antonella is a successful singer who performs and records as A-Love.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Riccardo Formosa". Represented Artist Profile. Australian Music Centre (AMC). 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  2. ↑ Birtles, Beeb (2007). "LRB Timeline". Birtles.com. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  3. 1 2 Holmgren, Magnus. "Little River Band". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  4. ↑ Au, Frankie (2003). "The History of Little River Band". lrb.net. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  5. ↑ "After Hours". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 11 January 2005. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  6. ↑ Goble, Graeham (2008). "Live Shows". Graeham Goble. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  7. ↑ Holmgren, Magnus. "The Andrew Durant Memorial Concert". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  8. ↑ Formosa, Ric (September 1992). "Biography" (PDF). Deakin University. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  9. ↑ "Works by Riccardo Formosa". Australian Music Centre (AMC). Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  10. ↑ "Winners – 2003". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). 2003. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  11. ↑ "A-Love – Ace of Hearts". pbsfm.org.au. 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
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