Rockin' the Bastille!
By Mr. Moderator on Jul 14, 2008
As we celebrate Bastille Day on Rock Town Hall, let's take a few moments to remember France's greatest contributions to the history of rock. There's one particular contribution in particular that stands out in my mind. See if you can guess it. The winner gets the coveted Rock Town Hall Non-Prize!
To help spark discussion, remember this cool Francophile piece that The Great 48 contributed.
27 comments
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Not what I had in mind, Oats, but a fine contribution from our rockin' friends in France.
07/14/08 @ 10:14
Comment from: BigSteve [Member] 
Those long-sleeved t-shirts with the horizontal stripes?
07/14/08 @ 10:53
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
All fine contributions from our friends in France to rock 'n roll, but not the one thing I have in mind...
07/14/08 @ 11:18
Comment from: dbuskirk [Member]
I was sure to pick up a good "Best of Johnny Halliday" when I was in Paris; it was funny how the French record store clerk (an exact French translation of the guys at Philly's Record Exchange) rolled his eyes when I asked for it. Saw a Johnny Halliday film from the mid-sixties on TV while I was there as well, it was exactly like an Elvis film. Halliday was riding a motorcycle, singing and playing guitar as well as protecting some farm family.
I'm a big ol' Francophile though, I'm a fan of Serge G., Francois Hardy, Metal Urbain, Ulan Bator and a handful of others. It is surprising that a country with such a rich cultural heritage hasn't given us more prime rock and roll.
I'm a big ol' Francophile though, I'm a fan of Serge G., Francois Hardy, Metal Urbain, Ulan Bator and a handful of others. It is surprising that a country with such a rich cultural heritage hasn't given us more prime rock and roll.
07/14/08 @ 11:34
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
For poor man's rock 'n roll, what little I've heard of Halliday's music isn't bad. I know him best, however, from that film from a couple of years ago, when his character, a version of himself, I believe, meets up with a hung-up guy also in his twilight years and they spend a weekend in the country together. Beautiful little movie! Wish I remembered the name.
07/14/08 @ 11:52
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Nice use of the Pince Nez, Great One! Even more reason why their song was not what I had in mind as France's greatest contribution to the genre.
07/14/08 @ 12:06
Comment from: larry [Member]
An area in which we rarely associate French rockers is hard rock/heavy metal, but the early '80's band Ocean put out some catchy records that could stand alongside the best by Judas Priest and early Def Leppard. Here are two of my favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f36aFiA7Z8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgGvaRqs-yk&feature=related
Better yet was Soggy, which worked in more of a Sabbath/MC5 vein. "Waiting for the War" still sounds fresh to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o49KyJQl-Og&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f36aFiA7Z8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgGvaRqs-yk&feature=related
Better yet was Soggy, which worked in more of a Sabbath/MC5 vein. "Waiting for the War" still sounds fresh to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o49KyJQl-Og&feature=related
07/14/08 @ 12:24
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Is it when Paul sings in French on Michelle? That song rocks!
07/14/08 @ 12:45
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
No, BigSteve, but you're actually getting a wee bit closer to the type of contribution I have in mind.
Larry, that Soggy video is hilarious. Thanks.
Larry, that Soggy video is hilarious. Thanks.
07/14/08 @ 13:27
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
How about the French-style haircuts (and suits) favored by the mods?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2236/2215621134_e7be1b325c.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2236/2215621134_e7be1b325c.jpg?v=0
07/14/08 @ 13:52
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Good guess, BigSteve. Keep thinking outside the box! Not style itself but a certain je ne sais quois...
07/14/08 @ 14:12
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
The greatest rock EP ever was partially recorded in France.
07/14/08 @ 14:26
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
YES! BigSteve has won the coveted RTH non-prize for identifying France's greatest contribution to rock 'n roll. Who says the French are inhospitable? The south of France practically gave Mick, Keef, and they boys free reign of their land, and we thank France for what that good living and tax shelter afforded our collective rock 'n roll experience.
07/14/08 @ 14:37
Comment from: 2000 Man [Member]
Oh, man..too slow!
But I'll chip in that France also gets credit for being Bill Wyman's muse on his Big Hit Single.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Seg8HUDnq0Y
But I'll chip in that France also gets credit for being Bill Wyman's muse on his Big Hit Single.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Seg8HUDnq0Y
07/14/08 @ 17:29
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
2k, at first I thought you were referring to the ground-breaking In Another Land.
07/14/08 @ 17:35
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
2K, you have nailed the runner-up prize! Well done.
07/14/08 @ 17:46
Comment from: diskojoe [Member]
I would also add Francoise Hardy's hubby, Jacques Dutronc. His 1st album has plenty of great freakbeat.
07/14/08 @ 19:50
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
Wait a minute! This you can correct me on, but wasn't Exile of Main Street recorded in France!!??! Doesn't that give you Stones heads a french loaf in the pants?
07/14/08 @ 19:53
Comment from: dbuskirk [Member]
The recent Hallyday film was MAN ON THE TRAIN, where the robber Hallyday and the Prof Jean Rochefort yearn to trade identities. I was at a party recently where a writer friend of mine dismissed it as horrible. I was surprised that he didn't appreciate the film's writerly detail.
It was Hallyday's fiftieth anniversary in showbiz while I was in Paris on my honeymoon. His face was splashed everywhere, making Paris seem especially French in honor of our visit, the next best thing to being there on "Jerry Lewis Day". When the French record store clerk rolled his eyes we talked for a minute about Hallyday. I mentioned how good he was in MAN ON A TRAIN. The guy looked at me as if I was defending Wayne Newton because he was so good in THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE.
-db
It was Hallyday's fiftieth anniversary in showbiz while I was in Paris on my honeymoon. His face was splashed everywhere, making Paris seem especially French in honor of our visit, the next best thing to being there on "Jerry Lewis Day". When the French record store clerk rolled his eyes we talked for a minute about Hallyday. I mentioned how good he was in MAN ON A TRAIN. The guy looked at me as if I was defending Wayne Newton because he was so good in THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE.
-db
07/14/08 @ 20:48
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
Oh. I didn't get the cryptic EP reference. Now I see I'm late to the party. To save face I'll offer: France produced Rimbaud who influenced Morrison, Richard Hell, and Joe Strummer.
And Brian Wilson really liked French Fries.
And Brian Wilson really liked French Fries.
07/14/08 @ 21:22
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Somewhere in there you have identified the third runner-up, Chickenfrank.
I'm sticking with Man on the Train, dbuskirk. I'm a sucker for stories like that.
I'm sticking with Man on the Train, dbuskirk. I'm a sucker for stories like that.
07/14/08 @ 21:54
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member]
Gotta say, flat out, that the French have provided a safe appreciative haven for innumerable Great American artistes over the years, from jazz to rock to funk and such. Their hospitality for the Stones in 1973 or whatever is interesting, but a rockist/tax-dodge footnote. I deserve that no-prize for pointing out the forest while Mod is busy gazing at a single tree, clipboard in hand and Sherlock Holmes pipe in mouth!
HVB
HVB
07/14/08 @ 22:19
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
HVB, I am hereby blocking your from ALL FURTHER POSTS! :P
07/14/08 @ 22:32
Comment from: 2000 Man [Member]
Chickenfrank nailed number three with the French Fry. It was very rock n roll of France to steal the idea from Belgium and make them cheap and fun, just right for American teenage consumption!
07/15/08 @ 14:00
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