The “spacerock” band. The band borns in 1974 when the “Crystal” meet their producer Claude Lemoine and become first “Rocket Man” (with an album of the same name) and then “Rockets“, just after an year with the album “Future Woman”. Since the beginning the band has had an innovative character with their new and strange sound, their look (shaved heads, silver skin, spatial/alien dresses) and their special effects on stage. Music and choreography are always well-finished. At the end of 70’s the band acquires a new member that is still on it, Fabrice Quagliotti. The 1978 sees the release of an unforgettable success, “On the road again” and from now the band will use a lot the vocoder and the laser, like a signature. The success explodes beyond the borders of France and Italy, through Europe and North America. “Galaxy” of 1980 is their best-selling album. In spite of the success, they continue to do experiments and to introduce new technologies, but the time is changing and the audience liking too.
The change comes after the 1984 when both producer and frontman leave the group. Now Victor Togliani creates their new futuristic look. Due to the inside band problems and some abandonments, in 1992 the activities stop. The fans never forget the band and above all thanks to internet the Rockets will know it, the fans want their return on stage. Attempts of reunions begin in 2003 and step by step new projects take life. People still love Rockets like sold-out gigs and ovations prove.
Also the Rockets have still a lot to give to the music. A new album is coming and Fabrice Quagliotti in particular is moving his first steps like actor and soundtrack composer into the movie “Onde Road” by Massimo Falsetta.
“Party Queen” is the first track of the OST that presents this project. Waiting the new album, enjoy their great successes with us.
What follow is my interview with Fabrice Quagliotti.
01 . From the beginning, The Rockets were the men of the future. But now, when you think at your past, what do you feel or see?
The Rockets born in 1975 with a pretty strong image: shaved and silver heads. For us this showed the extraterrestrial. Not disfigured faces, just different. Today we can’t show us shaved and silver: it would be ridiculous and old fashioned. We are more and more humans with a wink at the past.
02 . Today, how you imagine the music of the future?
The music of the future is the music of yesterday. To this day, if we take off the ”bambam” of some Djs a way to do only disco events, the music recall a lot the sound of 70s and 80s and this gives me great pleasure. The amalgam between analog and digital, adding melodies, is the keystone to everything. Unfortunately, the discs have no more market, there are very few record companies with the desire to invest in new projects…
03 . The Rockets is one of the band that first did important and spectacular experiments with sounds, musical instruments, costumes, special effects, choreography… all! Now, if there are, what kind of experiments are possible and successful for your music?
Well, this is a sore key… I have crazy ideas but they cost so much. Today I believe that you can do almost anything when you have sponsors and money. I don’t see shows with mountains of lights / stages of 30 meters and hundreds of lights. You need to have taste and ideas… A beautiful show with we 5 and 5 holograms of us that move… What do you say?
04 . Is there someone or something that has contributed in meaningful way to your musical choice?
The music that comes from your mind has always influences of what you have and listen. Personally, I have been influenced by Genesis, David Bowie, Depeche Mode. But I have to say that I listen to everything and when I was a boy I was a fan of the Rolling Stones and Deep Purple….
05 . Who is Fabrice Quagliotti, musican apart?
I’m an aquarium 🙂 a dreamer with a character not always easy. I love to try everything and to range as much as possible: life is too short to stop.
06 . About your musical career, what is the most beautiful memory and the biggest wish?
The most beautiful memory? Well to tell the truth is not so much A memory but THE memories: the concerts, the audience, the recording rooms: I was an “happy musician child”. Unfortunately, when you’re too young you cannot fully taste these moments of glory. My dream now? Having the privilege to be able to start again with a new musical career full of successes. Am I asking too much?…
07 . Do you believe that when you were a child, there was already in you the artist that you would become?
100% sure! I was 6/7 years old in Paris where I lived, I built a guitar neck, I pumped up “Apache” by “Shadow” to get me noticed by pedestrians that saw me at the window. I was and I am a dreamer.
08 . To follow our passions it needs determination and discipline. It’s also needs the component of the game, the fun, the child who always live in us. If you agree, how much and as the child that’s in you, it contributes to your creativeness?
But I am an eternal child. Obvious, to get everywhere it’s necessary: diligence, integrity and passion. But woe betide to take off the freshness that it should never be missed at any age.
09 . The music is the most abstract and intense art, maybe the most authentic. Do you believe that it can contribute to change the world as it is today, how?
If you do it with the heart, there is no art that isn’t authentic. Music cannot change things in the world but music is the link unique that everyone will have in their lifetime. Each person has a song, a music that it’s reminiscent of a period or periods of their existence. The music helps you feel better: it is already so much, I think. It also follows you day by day, moment by moment. No other art has this “luck”. Furthermore, do you imagine a single day without music, anywhere?? Endless sadness.
10 . Do you want to leave a message to your fans?
A message to my fans? My fans know me well. I just apologize for the immense delay about the release of next album. My fans, Rockets’ fans are fabulous, a little bit crazies but reals.
11 . What are your plans for the immediate future?
The release of the new album. The release of the movie “Onde Road” by Massimo Falsetta in which I made my first steps as an actor and soundtrack composer, then my project with my good friend Den Harrow.
12 . If you could return on yours musical scores, which chord would you change?
Forget it! Every time I listen to a song (not released of course…) I feel obligated to revise something. I like revise my creature 🙂 But about the albums released, apart that of 2003 in which I would have removed 3 or 4 things, the other things I would leave them so. They are “perfect”. They are born with a certain spirit and character, and that’s okay. The only score to change is what I still have to play.
A hug to all of you heartfelt.