Mike Francis

Mike Francis
Background information
Birth name	Michele Francesco Puccioni
Born	April 26, 1961 Florence
Origin	Italy
Died	January 30, 2009 (aged 47) Rome
Genres	Smooth jazz, pop rock, blue-eyed soul, chill-out, Italo disco (1980s work)
Years active	1982–2009
Labels	RCA Records

Michele Francesco Puccioni (April 26, 1961 – January 30, 2009), better known under his stage name Mike Francis, was an Italian singer and composer, born in Florence. He was best known for his 1982 hit, "Survivor".

Career

Francis formed his first band at age 14 with schoolmates from l'Istituto di Studi Americano in Rome. He had his first hit with "Survivor" in 1982 and went on to record ten studio albums.

Among his best known works is the song "Friends" from 1985, a duet with Amii Stewart, which became a big hit in the UK and in the Philippines.

His album Inspired followed the cover of Van Morrison's "Someone Like You", together with Blank & Jones for the compilation album Café del Mar Vol. 12. His website states him as saying: "From that moment many other songs were born, in a simple and spontaneous way, simply "inspired"..."^[1]

Since 2000, assisted by his brother Mario (Mari-One) and by the Maltese multi-instrumentalist Aidan Zammit, he has given life to the group Mystic Diversions.^[2] Songs by Mystic Diversions have featured on many high-profile chill-out and lounge compilations. In addition to new, original song material, the group by Francesco Puccioni (Mike Francis) also did covers of famous 70s and 80s songs like "Float On" (by The Floaters), and "A Warm Summer Night" (by Chic). The band is composed of members Francesko (Francesco Puccioni), Mari-One (Mari-One Puccioni), and Aidan Zammit. Additional musicians for live sets consist of Agostino Marangolo (drums), Fabio Pignatelli (bass), Marco Rinalduzzi (guitars), Giovanni Imparato (percussion and vocals), and Wendy Lewis & Laura Serra (backing vocals).^[3]

Death

Francis died aged 47 on January 30, 2009 of lung cancer in Rome.^[4] His last compilation album The Very Best Of Mike Francis (All Was Missing) was released just days before his death.

Discography

Albums

• 1984 - Let's Not Talk About It
• 1985 - Features Of Love
• 1986 - Mike Francis
• 1987 - Songs (compilation)
• 1988 - Flashes Of Life
• 1989 - Dreams Of A Lifetime
• 1990 - Live In Manila (live)
• 1991 - Mike Francis In Italiano
• 1992 - Classics (compilation)
• 1994 - Francesco Innamorato
• 1995 - The Very Best - Live (live compilation)
• 1995 - A Different Air
• 1998 - Misteria
• 1998 - The Best Of (compilation)
• 1999 - All Rooms With A View
• 1999 - I Grandi Successi (compilation)
• 2000 - I Grandi Successi Originali - "Flashback" (compilation)
• 2000 - Crossing The Liquid Mirror (as Mystic Diversions)
• 2002 - Beneath Another Sky (as Mystic Diversions)
• 2003 - Colours (as Mystic Diversions)
• 2006 - From The Distance (as Mystic Diversions)
• 2007 - Wave A Little Light (as Mystic Diversions)
• 2007 - Inspired
• 2009 - The Very Best Of Mike Francis (All Was Missing)

Singles

• 1982 - "Love Has Found You"
• 1983 - "Survivor"
• 1984 - "Let Me In"
• 1985 - "Features Of Love"
• 1985 - "Together"
• 1986 - "Iron It Out"/"You Can't Get Out Of My Heart"
• 1987 - "Suddenly Back To Me"
• 1988 - "Still I'm Runnin' Back To You"
• 1989 - "Survivor '89"
• 1991 - "Livin' It Up"
• 1991 - "Se Tu Provi"
• 1992 - "I Want You"
• 1994 - "Bellissimi Occhi Chiusi"

References