La Cage (song)

"La Cage" is the 1971 debut single by Jean Michel Jarre. Although already produced in 1969, Jarre was unable to find a record label that was willing to release the single due to its experimental or futuristic sounds. After a few turn downs, he found Pathé Marconi willing to take the risk in 1971. But the single turned out to be a commercial failure, with only 117 copies sold. Pathé Marconi destroyed the remaining stock. However, the mastertape of "La Cage" was preserved, so that could be featured on the compilation "Made in France" in 1978. The single can also be found at the Rarities I bootleg compilation in 1994.

The song was performed only one time in his career at Opera in Paris, when he produced the first electro-acoustic opera called "AOR". Jarre became the youngest producer to see one of its works played at the Paris Opera, at it's reopening in 1971. It was the first time that elecronic music had been allowed to be used, and Jarre even had to paint his speakers gold to match the decor of the opera house. There he performed with the Paris Opera Ballet and choreographer Norbert Schmucki.

Jarre himself had lost his copy during a move and didn't own it anymore until a fan presented him a copy a gift.^[1]