Jordi Soler i Galí, known by the stage name Toti Soler, is a Spanish guitarist, singer and composer, one of the most important figures of contemporary music in Catalonia. His recording career started with a "nova canço" band named Els Xerracs, and later founded a pop group, Pic-Nic in 1967. He also began recording solo singles in the late '60s under his given name, Jordi Soler. After Pic-Nic broke up he co-founded the psychedelic rock group OM in 1969. In 1971 Soler met Taj Mahal and the two performed a number of concerts together. Soler's first solo album, Liebeslied, was released by Edigsa in 1972. Since then Soler has released a long string of solo albums and collaborations. Influences in Soler's music include world music (particularly Arab and Asian influences), traditional Flamenco guitar, classical and contemporary jazz.

Italian pop star Gianluca Grignani was born in Milan in 1972. Raised by his mother and with the help of his uncle in learning to play the guitar, Grignani began writing songs in his room. He moved to London at the age of 17 and made contacts with several musicians, but returned to Italy several years later. His musical career took off after meeting guitarist and producer Massimo Luca. After Grignani performed in the 1994 Festival de San Remo, PolyGram persuaded him to release the acoustic ballad "La mia storia tra le dita". In 1995, Grignani managed a breakthrough with the album Destinazione Paradiso, which sold two million copies within a year, and for which he was awarded the Telegatto. "La mia storia tra le dita" became a number-one hit all over Iberoamerica and other countries in Europe.