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He is one of the truest and most passionate Rock musicians of the last decades. And though time stood never still for Gotthard founding member and guitarist Leo Leoni.
CoreLeoni he named his passion for big, timeless Classic Rock, for pure music nostalgy, added with a modern sound. On September 27th their second album „CoreLeoni II“ will be released.
Next to Gotthard songs from the early stage as well as two brand new tracks the album contains a cover of John Lee Hookers „Boom Boom Boom“.
Since the release of the first record that has simply been called „The Greatest Hits Part 1“, CoreLeoni has appeared as a transmitter between analog electric guitar and modern studio production. But CoreLeoni not only represent the music spirit of the early 90es, they also live the feeling that has been alive on, behind and in front of stage in these times: CoreLeoni is a high class band ensemble consisting of close friends and long-term colleagues that are next to Leo Leoni pioneering for that period and share a lot of memories with him. Together with Rainbow-singer and Lords Of The Black founding member and ex-singer Ronnie Romero, Hena Habegger (drums, Gotthard), Jgor Gianola (guitar, ex-Gotthard/U.D.O./Jorn Lande) as well as Mila Merker (bass, Soulline) Leoni shows, that Classic Rock doesn ´t need to be old fashioned. Songs from the early Gotthard days are coming along in a completely new sound outfit.
On the second album coming out end of September, Leoni once more pays tribute to his passion for high class Rock music and brings back some good old Gotthard tracks to life.
With the exception of two songs as well as the John Lee Hooker cover it´s all Gotthard hits from the early days being translated to 2019.
„Queen Of Hearts“ and „Don ´t Get Me Wrong“ are the titles of the brand new tracks on the album, fitting perfectly into the other big Rock hymns.
Leoni had the idea to found CoreLeoni when Gotthard were celebrating their 25th anniversary. „When we play shows, we nowadays have to leave out a lof of the old songs as there are so many new ones that have to find their place in the setlist“, Leo explains. „But especially a lot of the old songs really mean a lot to me and will always be a big part of me. That´s why I decided to record them again and bring them back into the current times, also sound-wise.“
How good that works, CoreLeoni could prove during a tour last year. Press and fans have equally been enthusiastic about it. And also among the musicians it quickly became obvious: CoreLeoni needs to be continued.
„So many beautiful memories and the really special feeling that we also had during the days back then have been awaking.“
The musician from Swiss part Tessin belongs to the best international Rock guitarists and is part of the most successful Swiss band Gotthard. Every studio album after the debut reached number 1 in the national charts, all albums have been rewarded with several platinum awards. Gotthard are also holding a rare diamond award for selling more than 1 million records in Switzerland only.
Guitarist Jgor Gianola has been part of Gotthard during the early days as well before he decided to move on to U.D.O., the current band of music legend and ex-Accept singer Udo Dirkschneider, as well as Norwegian Rockers Jorn Lande. Also drummer Hena Habegger is a founding member of Gotthard. Last year he fulfilled a big dream and opened a drum school in Tessin.
Singer Ronnie Romero has been born in Chile and has been the singer oft Spanish Rock band Lords Of The Black. Since 2016 he is part of Rainbow, the band of legendary Richie Blackmore. With this big step in his career a long-term dream has been fulfilled for him. Just some months ago he has been touring big stadiums with Rainbow and can look back to several admirable festival shows as well, such as Monsters Of Rock.
Bass player Mila Merker has been born in Swiss Bellinzona and is a long term friend of Leo and Jgor. His own band is called Soulline, being well-known for playing a technical challenging form of Melodic Death Metal.
