Les Variations

Infobox musical artist
Name = Les Variations

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Background = group_or_band
Alias = Variations
Origin = France
Genre = Rock and roll Hard rock Rhythm and blues
Blues
Middle Eastern

Years_active = 1968 — 1975
Label = "Magic", EMI/Pathé Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://paris70.free.fr/variations.htm Les Variations]
Current_members = Robert Fitoussi Marc Tobaly “Petit Pois” Grande Isaac “Jacky” Bitton
Past_members = Joe Leb

Les Variations was a French rock band from the 1960s and 1970s that sang in English and was known for its rock guitar based music. Often, their songs and compositions contained hints of North African and Jewish Sephardic melodies as well as the Hebrew songs of the band members’ youth. [ [http://paris70.free.fr/variations.htm Les Variations] ]

History

All three members were Moroccan Jews. Joe Leb was on vocals, Marc Tobaly played guitar, Jacques “Petit Pois” Grande played bass, and Isaac “Jacky” Bitton was on drums. [ [http://www.upne.com/pages/stars_overture.pdf University Press of New England] ] Leb was later replaced by Tunisian born Robert Fitoussi. [ [http://www.eurodancehits.com/frdavid.html Euro Dance Hits website] ]

Les Variations signed with EMI/Pathé Records in 1969. Some argue that Les Variations is one of the best known rock groups from France, largely in part to commercial successes during their decade-long span. [ [http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/thebookofseth/1444 The Book of Seth] ] Between 1969 and 1973, they released the bulk of their albums. They often mimicked traits of the Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

By 1974 they adopted a more popular style and signed with an American label. It was then that they introduced sounds and styles taken from their Moroccan heritages, exemplified in the album "Moroccan Roll". The band broke up in 1975.

Over the course of their career, Les Variations opened for Bachman Turner Overdrive, Kiss, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Taste, and Aerosmith, among other well-known bands of their era.

Albums

*"Nador" (1969)
*"Take It Or Leave It" (1971)
*"Moroccan Roll" (1973)
*"Cafe de Paris" (1974)

Trivia

* Proud of his Jewish heritage, Bitton wore a noticeable Star of David around his neck [ [http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/vip/001265.html NYU "Mentor on a Mission", by Stephanie Wargin] ] during concerts.

References

External links

* [http://www.marctobaly.com/variations.html Marc Tobaly's website]