The Story Of Federico D'Andrea of Libra

                Federico D'Andrea, from Italy, was part of a duo music group known as Myosotis, who released 2 singles, "Tu Non Hai Piu Parole/Nel Giardino Di Molly" and "'Dietro La Finestra" in 1970 on Cat Records.

             Then, D'Andrea joined Italian group Logan Dwight, and sang some of the vocals on an album they recorded and released in 1972 on the PDU label. There was also a single released of the title track.

               Federico D'Andrea, along with other former Logan Dwight members Nicola Distaso, who became lead guitarist, and Alessandro Centofanti (also from Buon Vecchio Charlie) on keyboards, and Franco Ventura on guitar, developed some music based on the compositions of D'Andrea, who also played guitar, and assumed lead vocal duties. They were joined by David A. Walter on drums/percussion.

             Thus, from the spring of 1973, onwards, the group Libra took form. Reaction to the group was slow at first, with important support lacking from Italian producers and managers of the time.

             They decided to become part of the cast of a successful musical "Jacopone da Todi", with Claudio Barbera on bass replacing Ventura, met producer Danny Besquet, and after this, Dino Cappa joined on bass, replacing Barbera. In November, 1974, Libra's first album "Musica e Parole" was recorded in Milan, Italy,  produced by Besquet and PFM producer Claudio Fabi, with Gaetano Ria as sound engineer. At this time, Federico D'Andrea recorded a version of the album with corresponding English lyrics that he provided.. Musica e Parole met with good reviews.

               This Italian lyric version of the debut album was released in February, 1975, and in March came a long tour supporting Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso (with Keith Emerson in the audience at the first show in Venice) and this was successful, as well. Drummer David Walter left after this tour and was replaced by  Walter Martino, who was from the group Goblin.

                      Besquet was able to land Libra a contract with Motown in the USA for a 10 album deal, using the English language version of the debut album.That record, titled "Libra", was released in August, 1975. In the summer of that year, Libra rehearsed for two months for an American tour starting in October in Los Angeles, where they supported a variety of important artists, like Frank Zappa, The Tubes, Chicago, Steppenwolf, Savoy Brown, Thee Image, and Argent.

                          A follow-up English lyric album called "Winter Day's Nightmare" was recorded in Los Angeles in December, 1975, and while D'Andrea stayed behind for a few weeks to add the vocals, the rest of the band flew back to Italy. Released in the spring of 1976, featuring Federico D'Andrea on guitar and lead vocals, the record did not do well.

                          D'Andrea left Libra for personal matters. Sadly, on November 28th , 1978, he was run over by a car and killed in Rome, Italy.

                       This artist had a unique and special way with writing, singing, and playing music that will never be replaced.

                       I would like to dedicate this modest article to the life and music of Federico D'Andrea.