883

Italian pop and rock band from Pavia, Lombardy, 883 was formed in 1989 by singer Max Pezzali and musician Mauro Repetto. The duo, whose name was inspired by a motorcycle model, met in high school and made a name for themselves on a Jovanotti show when they were still called I Pop. After a first album mixing pop, rock and a little rap, Hanno ucciso l'Uomo Ragno (1992), 883 enjoyed growing success with Nord sud ovest est (1993), which entered the Italian charts thanks to several hits including "Sei un mito" and "Come mai". The departure of Mauro Repetto in 1994 led Max Pezzali to surround himself with studio musicians for the next two albums, which reached No. 1: La donna il sogno & il grande incubo (1995) and La dura legge del gol! (1997). These were followed in 1999 by Grazie mille (#5), before a return to the top of the sales charts with 1 in + (2001). By the time it disbanded in 2003, 883 had sold over ten million records and won three Festivalbar awards: best album in 1993 and again in 2005, and best song in 1995 with "Tieni il tempo". Max Pezzali continued his career under his own name, following up 883's first album with Hanno ucciso l'Uomo Ragno 2012.