In 1963 Shel Shapiro arrives in Italy with the group “The Rokes”, working with Rita Pavone, (star of the moment) during her summer tour and earning a great success. This way begins the true story of Shel Shapiro.
In 1965 Shel together with the “The Rokes”, inaugurates Piper Club in Rome, singing there some songs that will soon become "cult-songs", such as “Che colpa abbiamo noi”, “E la pioggia che và”, “C’è una strana espressione nei tuoi occhi”, “Piangi con me”, “Bisogna saper perdere”, supporting a music and social revolution that will leave its mark in the collective memory.
In 1970 “The Rokes” come to an end and Shel begins his career as a producer, arranger and above all as a composer.
Between 1970 and 1990 30 million records of Shel’s songs are sold : this great success gives him the chance to work with Mina, Ornella Vanoni, Quincy Jones, Riccardo Cocciante, Bill Conti, Patty Pravo, Gianni Morandi, Luca Barbarossa, Enrico Ruggeri, David Riondino, Rino Gaetano, Perigeo, Musicanova, Mia Martini and many other singers, earning a great success.
In the 80’s Shel lives and works in Miami, Mexico City, New York and Milan, being the producer of some of the most famous Latin singers of that time. In 1987, after 17 years of silence, Shel produces an album as solo - artist, entitled “Per amore della musica”, in the “Italian top 20 charts”
In 1990 Shel settles definitely in Italy and in 1992 performs on the stage in Milan a rock musical: “BACKSTAGE: the big dream” with the band GFT from Turin and Gruppo Editoriale Grauso from Cagliari as sponsor, and directed by Giorgio Gallioni. The project of this performance born with Gianni Minà is a highly technological one. This very ambitious project, born in Italy, doesn’t have any success with the critics, but gained positive public response.
In the years between 1993 and 1998 he retired for a period of reflection, living between Italy and Provence.
Urged by his love for music, Shel begins again to compose and unfold a new chapter of his life.
Lately he performed also as an actor
"Io, te e Sofia" directed by G.Chiesa (role: Oscar)
''All the roads leads to Rome'' directed by E. Lemhagen (role: Marcellino)
"La verità sta in cielo" directed by R.Faenza
''All the roads leads to Rome'' - directed by E. Lemhagen
''Il restauratore 2'' - directed by G. Capitani
"CHA CHA CHA" - directed by M. Risi (role: himself)
"Finalmente la felicità" - directed by L. Pieraccioni (role: Albert)
''Anna'' - directed by M.Vullo
“Nebbia in Val Padana” with Cochi e Renato - directed by F. Farina (Co-star)
“Gli amici di Gesù” - directed by R. Mertes
“Eldorado” - directed by E. Galtafoni (role: Strego)
“Via Zanardi, 33” - directed by A. De Leo (role: Morris)
“Operazione rosmarino” - directed by A.Populin (role: Nuvola)
“Vento di ponente” - directed by G.Lepre and A.Manni (role: Raymond)
“Il nostro matrimonio è in crisi” - directed by A. Albanese (Co - star, role: Makerback)
“Vento di Ponente 2” – several directors.
“Sweet India” - directed by R. Donna
"Il giorno piu' bello" - directed by M.Cappelli(role: Daniela's father)
"I Borgia" - directed by A.Hernandez (role: Vitellozzo Vitelli)
''Capri 3'' - directed by F. Marra e D. Acocella
"Rita, la figlia americana" - directed by P. Vivarelli
"Brancaleone alle crociate" - directed by M. Monicelli
"Sarà una bella società" - show written by E. Berselli - directed by R. Cara
" Beatnix" - written by E. Berselli e S. Shapiro - directed by S. Shapiro
" Shylock: il mercante di Venezia in prova" with M. Ovadia - directed by R. Andò e M. Ovadia