Les Variations -

Les Variations were a French psychedelic hard-rock band of Moroccan origin. Between 1970 and 1974, they released the albums Nador, Take It or Leave It, and Moroccan Roll. With singer Robert Fitoussi, they cut the 1975 international release Cafe de Paris. Fitoussi resurfaced with “Words,” an Eighties synthpop classic under the name F.R. David.

Members: Marc Tobaly (guitar), Jacques Grande [P’tit Pois] (guitar, bass), Isaac “Jacky” Bitton (drums), Guy de Baer (bass, 1966), Jacques Micheli (guitar, 1966), Jean-Pierre Azoulay [Rolling] (guitar, 1966), Jo Philippe Leb (vocals, 1966-73), Michel Chevalier (vocals, 1971), Alain Suzan (bass, 1972), Robert Fitoussi [aka F.R. David] (vocals, 1973-75), Jim Morris (piano, 1974-75), Maurice Meimoun (violin, 1974-75)

Background

Les Variations formed in Paris in 1966 under the guidance of Alain Tobaly. After several short-term guitarists and bassists, the lineup finalized with singer Jo Leb, bassist Jacques “P’tit Pois” Grande, drummer Jacky Bitton, and Alain’s younger brother, guitarist Marc Tobaly — all Moroccan Sephardic Jews apart from Grande, a Parisian of Italian descent.

They hit the club circuit of France and the Low Countries with a mix of contemporary British Beat and earlier rock ‘n’ roll. On a Danish stint, they linked with the local branch of the Scandinavian Triola label, which issued their 1967 first single: “Spicks and Specks,” a Bee Gees cover backed with “Mustang Sally,” a Wilson Pickett staple.

In 1969, Les Variations singed with Odeon for their first two singles, both comprised of Marc Tobaly originals.

Discography: