Graziano Romani started his career forming his first band The Rocking Chairs in 1982, and performing covers of rock'n'soul classics in clubs and theatres all over Italy. The band later signed with the label Ala Bianca/EMI and released their first album NEW EGYPT in 1987. The album was warmly received by the critics and the public, and was followed by FREEDOM RAIN in 1988, featuring a contribution from american artist Elliott Murphy, who sang lead vocals on the title-track and produced the duet on the Jagger/Richards ballad "Wild Horses".