Furio Chirico’s THE TRIP – Biography
Furio Chirico’s THE TRIP biography: this is the official biography of Furio Chirico’s THE TRIP, the Italian prog rock band founded by drummer Furio Chirico. Here you’ll find the band’s origins, milestones, discography highlights and the current line-up, from Atlantide (1972) to Equinox (2022) and Atlantide 2025.
Origins & Atlantide (1972)
THE TRIP is a rock band originally formed with the participation of Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), featuring English lyrics and both British and Italian roots. The band later became known worldwide with the success of the album Atlantide (1972), which marked a decisive turning point toward progressive rock. The trio consisted of Joe Vescovi (original member), Wegg Andersen (one of the founders), and Furio Chirico (later founder of Arti & Mestieri).
Fifty years later: the new era
Fifty years after Atlantide, Furio Chirico’s THE TRIP was born, led by Furio Chirico, the only surviving member of the legendary trio. He breathed new life into THE TRIP with Equinox (2022), the first studio album featuring entirely new material. Released by the historic major label King Records in Japan, the album earned wide international acclaim for composition, musicianship, and performance.
Live activity
The band has been constantly active since their debut live performances at the Salone Internazionale del Libro (Turin, May 2022), In Progress One (Sardinia, September 2022), Il Giardino 2.0 (Lugagnano, December 2022), Trasimeno Prog (Castiglione del Lago, August 2023), Prog and Frogs (Milan, May 2025), Monferrato On Stage (Cocconato, June 2025), Progfest at Porto Antico (Genoa, August 2025), Alchemica Music Club (Bologna, October 2025), and The Best of Italian Rock XIV (Tokyo, April 2026).
“The power of live performance is the true essence of THE TRIP.”
Furio Chirico tells…
My story with the British-Italian rock band The Trip started before I became a member in 1972.
In the Sixties, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore was part of the band. They often played in Italy, especially in Turin, and also performed at my uncle Alfonsino Chirico’s club, one of the first Italian promoters and disc jockeys.
I was very young but already active in professional bands such as Ragazzi del Sole, often passing by my uncle’s club. I met and listened to bands from all over the world, including The Trip.
At that time the band was not yet composing original material. After Ritchie left for Germany to form Deep Purple and Joe Vescovi joined—talented keyboardist and excellent composer—things changed.
After early productions dedicated to psychedelic rock (The Trip) and rock/blues (Caronte), Joe asked me in 1972 to join him to take The Trip to a new level: a new project, a genre turning point and a new line-up with Wegg Andersen—bassist/singer and Swinging London figure who had played with Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore and others—also decisive in choosing me for the new formation.
Joe explained the importance of embarking on the path of what we would later call prog: rock songs with symphonic, jazz, folk and soul elements; suites and concept albums. That vision became Atlantide (1972).
We began working and Joe quickly realized he needed to let me arrange and interpret the drum parts in my own way. Music was by Joe, lyrics by Wegg. It was a flawless human and professional collaboration.
In 1973 we released Time of Change, complex and sophisticated in harmonies, melodies and rhythms—truly progressive. The band disbanded after Wegg’s serious car accident.
We then lost touch for many years. Joe worked with Acqua Fragile, Dik Dik and Umberto Tozzi; Wegg travelled on archaeological expeditions; I focused on Arti & Mestieri and solo productions, and on teaching at Accademia Musica Moderna in Turin.
Reunion, Japan and a new chapter
In 2010 the opportunity came to meet again and restart, thanks to close friends and the organizational/creative support of SFERA entertainment. Two excellent musicians joined: Fabrizio Chiarelli (guitar, vocals) and Angelo Perini (bass). That led to three milestones: the Prog Exhibition in Rome (2010); the 2011 Japanese tour at the Italian Progressive Rock Festival; and in 2011 Sony Music reissued Atlantide including Live in Tokyo 2011 in a box set. Sadly, Wegg’s health deteriorated and he passed away. We continued to play for a while, but Joe became ill too and in 2014 everything stopped.
The new line-up (2019→)
After five years, in 2019 I decided to resume the journey of the 1972 turning point—without nostalgia but true to the original progressive spirit—with a new line-up. With Joe and Wegg gone, their compositions were missing; using only “The Trip” felt less respectful, so I added my name as a historical member since 1972: Furio Chirico’s THE TRIP, a tribute to their memory and a way to continue our path.
In January 2022, fifty years after Atlantide, the new band was born. We play, feel and write with the same passion as the original band, with our gaze and ear turned toward the future. Equinox (2022), featuring all-new compositions, is a clear statement of intent.
— Furio Chirico
Current line-up
- Furio Chirico – drums, percussion
- Paolo “Silver” Silvestri – Hammond, piano, keyboards
- Alessio Trapella – vocals, bass
- Marco Rostagno – guitars
See also: Releases · Live dates · More about Furio Chirico on Wikipedia.
