Marina Occhiena, the iconic blonde member of the Italian pop band Ricchi e Poveri, recently opened up about her life following her departure from the group. Known for her contribution to several hits spanning from the late 60s to the early 80s, Occhiena's narrative encapsulates both the glamour of success and the reality of personal challenges.
Born on March 19, 1950, in Genoa, Occhiena began her music career at just 15. She first recorded the song "A poco a poco" for the Ricordi record label. Two years later, she joined Ricchi e Poveri along with Angelo Sotgiu, Franco Gatti, and Angela Brambati. The group quickly gained prominence, participating multiple times at the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival.
The band's breakthrough came with their entry at Cantagiro 1968, performing "L'ultimo amore." They made waves at Sanremo, finishing second with "La prima cosa bella" in 1970 and with "Che sarà" the following year, which became their biggest hit up to then. The group's popularity soared, and they represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1978 with "Questo amore." Their last album featuring all four members released was in 1980.
Occhiena's abrupt exit from the group came just before they were set to compete at Sanremo again, this time with the song "Sarà perché ti amo." Many speculate her departure stemmed from personal issues, particularly her clandestine relationship with Marcello Brocherel, who was Angela Brambati's partner. This drama resulted not just in her leaving the band but also led to tensions within the group.
During her time away from Ricchi e Poveri, Occhiena released several singles, but none garnered the success she had hoped for. She participated again at Sanremo Festival with the song "Videosogni" but faced criticism and scrutiny from the media. Reflecting on her departure, she said, "When you make such important decisions, you face the consequences.” Occhiena recalled, "I’ve never fallen entirely black, but it was tough. The media was brutal, and it was hard to figure out what decision to make. If I chose one thing, I thought I had to choose the opposite. It was tough."
Through these hardships, Marina found solace and support from Cristiano Malgioglio, who was one of the few to stand by her during those challenging times. "He always believed in me and encouraged me," she noted. Malgioglio even wrote the song "Talismano" for Occhiena, convincing her to take it on when she was hesitant. She commemorated how their partnership helped keep her spirit alive during the rocky period post-Ricchi e Poveri.
Despite her setbacks, Occhiena continued her career, showcasing her talents beyond music. She ventured successfully as an actress and television personality, appearing on shows like "Isola dei Famosi" where she finished third. The singer also made headlines again during the reunion tour of Ricchi e Poveri at the 70th Sanremo Festival, performing alongside her former bandmates after nearly four decades apart.
Recalling her decision to leave the band, Occhiena wistfully remarked, "With the maturity I have today, I wouldn't make the same choice. Despite the challenges, I realize the significance of what we had built together.” She revealed her feelings about the reunion, stating, "Regrets? I have none. I'm glad it happened, but it also made me wish we had gotten together much earlier. We had sown so much, and it’s hard to see what could have been.”
Years later, the weight of media criticism still resonates with Occhiena. "There was so much negativity thrown at me; at times, it felt overwhelming, and I had to summon all my strength to move forward." Yet, she maintained hope and determination, stating, "Throughout the years, I have noticed compassion from journalists and the public alike.”
Marina Occhiena’s musical legacy, intertwined with her life choices, remains significant. Today, she continues to perform solo and participates as a guest on several television programs, garnering love and support from fans who cherish her contributions to Italian music.
The story of Marina Occhiena reveals not just the glitz and glamour of pop stardom but also the realities behind it — moments of doubt, tough decisions, and the importance of support during adversity. Her voice, now unshackled from the shadows of her past, resonates with maturity and insight.