1984. With some guys of his town he creates the band LADRI DI BICICLETTE (Robbers of Bikes), according to his admiration for the neo-realistic art and cinema movies with TOTO', SORDI, DE SICA.
1989. First apparition on SANREMO FESTIVAL followed by live performances as supporting group during VASCO ROSSI tour, presenting their new single DR JAZZ & MR FUNK. First prize in FESTIVALBAR '89. TELEGATTO prize (an important television award) as "the best new group of the year". Their first album, LADRI DI BICICLETTE, sells over 150.000 copies.
1990. With FRANCESCO BACCINI collaboration, they realise SOTTO QUESTO SOLE, the song of the summer 1990. First prize in FESTIVALBAR '90.
1991. SANREMO FESTIVAL. They realise the second album, FIGLI DI UN DO MINORE. At the end of the year, Paolo Belli leaves the band.
1993. Paolo Belli realises a new single, PAOLO BELLI & RYTHM MACHINE. Important collaborations with many national and international artists: Sam Moore, Blly Preston, Jon Hendricks, Jimmy Whiterspoon, Piero Chiambretti, Enzo Jannacci, Fabio Fazio, Litfiba, Red Ronnie, Paolo Rossi, Gialappa's Band. Paolo Belli writes songs with VASCO ROSSI, AVION TRAVEL and P.F.M.
1994. He realises the album SOLO, produced by Alberto Pirelli. The video clip of the single M'HANNO LASCIATO QUI is awarded as the best video clip of the year by VIDEOMUSIC (TV musical channel). Paolo Belli performs in more than 90 concerts per year, allowing to the people to know his overpowering energy and to crown him as "The King of Funky".
1996. The 22nd of May is a very important date for Paolo Belli: his favourite football team, Juventus, invites him to perform before the final match of Champions Cup in the Olympic Stadium in Rome. In September he takes part in CLIO RDS LIVE 2 in Palermo with a crowded audience of about 400.000 people.
1997. The new single is UOMINI O CAPORALI. The title is another homage to the great actor TOTO' and to the Italian cinema movies tradition. The new album is NEGRO, followed by the live summer tour.
1998. On 3rd of May Paolo Belli plays with the great DAN AYKROYD, the last of Blues Brothers, who is in Italy for promoting his new film movie. In the summer Paolo plays with his own band as special guest in PORRETTA SOUL FESTIVAL.
Paolo Belli and his music are devoted testimonials for important charitable associations, like ROCK NO WAR and NAZIONALE ITALIANA CANTANTI (Italian National Singers Football Team).
1999. The new album is A ME MI PIACE LO SWING, in which Paolo performs with a big band of 17 musicians.
2000. Paolo Belli and his Big Band take part in TORNO SABATO, a successful television show on RAI UNO Channel conducted by Italian actor and showman GIORGIO PANARIELLO. Paolo sings and plays with WILSON PICKETT, GIORGIA, AL JARREAU, KID CREOLE. In June, Paolo Belli & Big Band are fixed guest in SANREMO ESTATE 2000, another RAI UNO television show conducted by the showman CARLO CONTI. Paolo Belli consecrates his figure and talent on television.
The new single is HEY, SIGNORINA MAMBO, followed by BELLI DENTRO, his new album.
In November Paolo Belli composes the sound track for GIORGIO PANARIELLO film movie AL MOMENTO GIUSTO.
2001. Theatre debut in PANARIELLO... CHI?, beside GIORGIO PANARIELLO. The tour is followed by the VHS recording.
The new single is FEMMINA, in which the typical Belli's soul and funk sound is blended with Latin colours. The single is followed by the new album, BELLI…E PUPE.
2001-2002. Together with GIORGIO PANARIELLO, Paolo Belli & Big Band attain a great success in TORNO SABATO: LA LOTTERIA, RAI UNO television variety show linked up with Lotteria Italia, the most important Italian television lottery.
2002. New theatre tour of PANARIELLO... CHI?.
1st of May 2002: exciting performance during the outstanding CONCERTO DEL 1° MAGGIO in Rome.
PAOLO BELLI & BIG BAND are now in tour in Italy and Europe: a new production, a really overpowering show.
Albums
1989 - Ladri di Biciclette
1991 - Figli di un DO minore
1993 - Paolo Belli
1994 - Solo
1997 - Negro
1999 - A me mi piace... lo swing
2000 - Belli dentro
2001 - Belli... e pupe
Singles
1985 - Sabato jazz
1989 - Ladri di biciclette
1989 - Dr. Jazz & Mr. Funk
1990 - Sotto questo sole (featuring Francesco Baccini)
1991 - Sbatti ben su del bebop
1993 - Io solo un Jack
1993 - Via di qua
1993 - Una grande anima
1994 - E intanto gira
1995 - Mrs. Jones
1995 - Mi hanno lasciato qui
1995 - Finalmente in Tennesee (with Mario Lavezzi)
1998 - Uomini o Caporali
1999 - A me mi piace
1999 - Angelo Angelino
1999 - Coś coś
1999 - Ci vuole poco
2000 - Hey, Signorina Mambo!
2000 - Sia lodata la musica
2001 - Femmina
Videos
1989 - Ladri di Biciclette
1989 - Dr. Jazz & Mr. Funk
1989 - Givin' up
1990 - Sotto questo sole (featuring Francesco Baccini)
1991 - Sbatti ben su del bebop
1991 - Lunga vita al Rhythm & Blues
1993 - Una grande anima
1993 - Via di qua
1995 - Mi hanno lasciato qui
1999 - A me mi piace
2000 - Hey, Signorina Mambo!
2000 - Sia lodata la musica