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The Rokes were a unique British Invasion-era band that found significant success in Italy despite limited recognition in England and America. Formed after London-born Shel Shapiro (b. 1943) transitioned from playing guitar and singing with Rob Storm & the Whispers to performing in Hamburg and touring Italy as part of The Cabin Boys, the band adopted the name The Rokes after severing ties with their previous act. Their initial single, a cover of "Shake, Rattle and Roll," did not achieve commercial success, nor did their first Italian recording. However, they gained popularity in Italy, finishing second in a poll of the most popular beat groups in the country. The Rokes' major breakthrough came with the song "Piangi Con Me," co-authored by Shapiro, which became a hit in Italy and was later released in England as "Let's Live for Today." This single sold over two million copies and became a significant anthem for Vietnam veterans, influencing future rock sounds. Despite this success, the band remained primarily an Italian phenomenon, achieving a number two hit in 1967 and continuing to chart until 1969. They performed at the San Remo Festival in 1968 but disbanded in the summer of 1970 as musical tastes shifted. Following the breakup, Shapiro continued his career in music, eventually forming his own label in Milan in 1977, while the other members moved away from the music industry. The line-up of The Rokes included Norman

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