213 Heimatliche Klaenge - Native Sounds
Les Sorciers (CH)
Swiss rock popularity began in 1957, when the Hula Hawaiians incorporated rockabilly, setting the stage for the early 1960s boom. The Francophone section of Switzerland soon found itself dominated by French stars like Johnny Hallyday, and soon Swiss artists like Les Aiglons, Larry Greco and Les Faux-Frères became major artists.
It wasn't first sight love between rebellious rock 'n' roll and conservative post-war Switzerland. Whereas the entertainment industries in neighbouring countries had been quick to find their own stand-ins for "King" Elvis Presley, in Switzerland traditional duos, dance orchestras and occasional dixieland bands were still setting the tone. True, the Hula Hawaiians from Basel had incorporated the influences of Bill Haley and his Comets into songs such as "Chimpanzee Rock" as early as 1957. But they remained alone out on a limb in their surreptitious revolution.
Rock 'n' roll grew in significance at the beginning of the 1960's, first in areas that were more susceptible to new influences because of their proximity to neighboring countries.
In French-speaking Switzerland, a new generation was growing up under the influence of French models such as Johnny Hallyday or Les Chausettes Noires. Leaning toward instrumental electric guitar dominated music, this generation set off an avalanche of their own "yeah, yeah, yeahs".
Les Aiglons from Lausanne were the most commercially successful group with their hit "Stalactite". But their rivals Les Faux-Frères were the most popular band. Larry Greco was among the few solo singers in the tradition of Elvis or Johnny Hallyday and able to compete with the guitar groups. Like all big names in Western Switzerland at the time, he set his sights towards France and signed a contract with a recording company in Paris. This explains why his recordings from the early 60's sound as well very professional.
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The first Swiss rock band of note were Les Sauterelles, formed in 1962 and often referred to as "the Swiss Beatles". Their Shadows influenced all-instrumental 1965 single, "Hongkong", was the first beat song to hit number 1 on the Swiss Hitparade.
By 1964 the popularity of instrumental rock music, with its touch of elegance as embodied by the Shadows from England, was beginning to fade. The Beatles and their impetuous, naive pop songs were steadily winning larger audiences among Europe's youth. "She Loves You" was the first major hit on the continent by the four lads from Liverpool. The few professional Swiss popular music ensembles sat up and took notice. And they were right in seeing this music as a threat to their livelihood.
Rock 'n' roll embodied a life feeling and actually had more to do how youth viewed themselve than with music as such. The best musical training seemed absolutely worthless if the feeling wasn't right.
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Bandleader Hazy Osterwald's early German-language cover version of a Beatles song sounded accordingly stiff. Young Swiss popular music pioneers Pichi from Zurich as well as The 16 Strings from Aargovia were both too well-mannered and proper to be truly "fab". And the effect of more sophisticated French-speaking acts such as Lausanne singer Tony Rank, who covered Beatles songs in early 1964, or Les Relax could only hint at the frenzy how real rock 'n' roll stirred up among youthful audiences.
Instead, young acts from German-speaking Switzerland came to the fore. "Beat groups" mushroomed throughout the North and East of the country, injecting a powerful burst of enthusiastic energy into the scene. Their musical skills were often limited, but it was precisely because of their tender age and carefree spirit that many of them soon grasped and exploited the spirit behind the craze....
213 Heimatliche Klaenge - Native Sounds
Les Sorciers (CH) 60's group / Lausanne, Switzerland
Members:
Michel Saugy
Bernard Saugy
André Gilliand
Marc Diserens
Les Sorciers 1963-64
01 - Cyclone
02 - Baya
03 - Caravelle
04 - Youpi Ye
05 - 7,65
06 - Thierry la Fronde
07 - Indicatif
08 - Monika
GREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT !!! The instrumental "Caravelle" I had a musical signal at the opening of my radio broadcasts in 1965,66,67, in my first years on amateur radio then in very difficult times when the police were chasing us, lowering our antennas, taking us to the prosecutor, then they illegally took our 45 rpm discs by entering our houses at night, breaking the doors. The most beautiful moments of my life !!
ReplyDeleteGREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT !!! The instrumental "Caravelle" I had a musical signal at the opening of my radio broadcasts in 1965,66,67, in my first years on amateur radio then in very difficult times when the police were chasing us, lowering our antennas, taking us to the prosecutor, then they illegally took our 45 rpm discs by entering our houses at night, breaking the doors. The most beautiful moments of my life !!
ReplyDeletemerci beaucoup!
ReplyDeletethanks for this add on to the legendary native sounds series.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you I have 212 volumes of this interesting series.
ReplyDeleteOn volume still missing is #139!
Thank you for your consideration.