Osage Tribe

Osage Tribe were formed in 1971 by Franco Battiato, then working as pop singer, with his loyal drummer Cucciolo, guitarist Marco Zoccheddu who had just left Nuova Idea and bass guitarist Bob Callero. Battiato found a recording deal with the newly born Bla Bla label, but soon left the band, just singing on their first single Un falco nel cielo, before starting his solo career; the single is rather commercial and was also used for a popular TV quiz show at the time. The remaining trio, based in Genova, a prolific city for many great bands, veered towards a more aggressive sound and released their masterpiece, Arrow head, in 1972, a five tracks album that's still regarded as one of the finest in its genre. Mainly hard rock based, but with strong progressive influences rather than dull solo parts, the album has in the long Soffici bianchi veli and the softer Cerchio di luce with some jazzy influences are the best cuts. The band had a good live activity but a short life, and Zoccheddu and Callero formed Duello Madre at the end of 1972, leaving Cucciolo with the name Osage Tribe and a new line-up with ex-Capsicum Red singer/guitarist Red Canzian and bassist Giampiero Marchiani coming from Forlì. This line-up lasted for a short time, Cucciolo was called up in the army, replaced by Enzo Vallicelli (from Hellza Poppin and later with Uno), then Canzian was recruited by Pooh, causing the definitive split of Osage Tribe. The drummer Cucciolo later played with The Trip after their fourth album (but this line up never recorded) and then Dik Dik. Bob Callero has had a very active career, with Il Volo and many collaborations as sessionman.