Sergio Della Monica, a founding member of Italian electro-dance band Planet Funk, has died. The 58-year-old Neapolitan died as a result of complications of pneumonia.
Della Monica began his career in the early ’90s and worked as a musician, producer and songwriter. He also collaborated with pop artists Giuliano Sangiorgi and Jovanotti.
Planet Funk formed in 1999 as the fusion of two successful club music bands, Souled Out (formed by Neapolitan producers Alessandro Sommella, Domenico “GG” Canu, and Sergio Della Monica) and Kamasutra (Florence’s keyboard player Marco Baroni and DJ Alex Neri).
The outfit scored international acclaim with 2000’s “Chase the Sun” released on Bustin’ Loose Recordings. Planet Funk’s debut album, 2002’s Non Zero Sumness, went gold and was recognized at the Italian Music Awards.
The funeral will be held today, February 19, in Rome, where he lived with his wife and children.