Les Karrik -

Les Karrik was a Québécois folk-rock duo that released two albums in 1971/72 on Zodiaque.

Members: Michel McLean (guitar, vocals), Claude Lafrance (guitar, vocals)

Background

Les Karrik formed in late 1967 in Quebec’s Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region when singer-guitarists Claude Lafrance and Michel McLean, classmates at a CEGEP, established a duo. Lafrance was born in 1948 in Arvida to a family of Acadian descent. McLean was born in 1949 in Alma.

The duo first performed around Lac-Saint-Jean with original songs and guitar arrangements of traditional Québécois material. They subsequently appeared in Québec City and Montréal. Singer Robert Charlebois engaged the pair as accompanists for a 1970 regional tour. In 1971, Lafrance and McLean recorded at RCA Victor Studios in Montréal with producer John Pantis for their debut album on Les Disques Zodiaque.

Discography:

Au Chant de l’Alouette (1971)
II (1972)

Sources

La chanson québécoise de la Bolduc à aujourd’hui. Roger Chamberland and André Gaulin, Nuit Blanche Éditeur, 1994, page 492. Claude Lafrance biography with the late-1967 formation, Acadian ancestry, and Charlebois touring chronology. (Library of Congress bibliography)
Michel McLean — Biographie. Career chronology supplied by McLean, with the college friendship, group formation, and Charlebois engagement. Its dates differ from the scholarly account. (QuébecPop)
Michel McLean — Artist Profile. Birth date and account of his introduction to Claude Lafrance at a CEGEP. (QuébecPop)
Les Karrik — Artist Profile. Birthplaces, early Lac-Saint-Jean activity, expansion to Québec City and Montréal, and collaboration with Robert Charlebois. (QuébecPop)
Les Karrik — Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia. Formation date, Charlebois connection, November 1971 debut date, original label, and subsequent discography. (Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia)
Les Karrik — Artist Archive. Membership, activity dates, and album listings. (Museum of Canadian Music)
Au Chant de l’Alouette / Quelle est la couleur de ma prison. Original Zodiaque single listing with producer Johnny Pantis, recording personnel, and 1971 issue information. (Fréquences Le Disquaire)
Patience et longueur de temps. Original Zodiaque LP listing, catalogue ZO-6904, dated 1971. (Jello Musique)