Les Innocents

Les Innocents was a French rock band, a quartet led by Jean-Philippe Nataf (nicknamed Jipé, vocals) and Jean-Christophe Urbain (nicknamed Jean-Chri, vocals and keyboards) from 1982 to 1999. Former members are Rico (bass) and Pierre Morin (drums).

Biography

The band was founded in 1982 in Lille and had their first success with the single "Jodie" (1987), and their first album Cent Mètres au Paradis (1989).^[1] In 1992 they produced their album Fous à lier, which became their first major success.^[2] The next album, Post Partum, confirmed their talent and popularity, and took them to the peak of their fame. "Colore" was one of the most aired singles of 1996. The name is a tribute to the English group The Clash, who gave "anonymous" concerts under that name.

Les Innocents separated in 2000, in part because of lukewarm reception to their latest album, as well as some internal musical differences. JP Nataf continues a solo career.

In 2003, they released a best of.^[1]

Jean-Philippe Nataf and Jean-Christophe Urbain are close friends of the singer Jil Caplan, with whom they have worked.

Members

• from 1982 to June 1988 : JP Nataf (Jipé), Rico, Bertrand Sansonetti (Tramber), Pierre Morin
• from June 1988 to 1990 : JP Nataf (Jipé), Rico, Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri)
• from 1990 to 1995 : JP Nataf (Jipé), Rico, Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri), Michael Rushton
• from 1996 to 1999 : JP Nataf (Jipé), Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri), Michael Rushton, Bernard Viguié, Christopher Board.

• Bertrand Sansonetti has released one album in 1991, Saint-Lazare, in which features Le carrousel.
• Pierre Morin has released two albums : La Fidélité mon amour in 1991 and Free Vol in 1995.

Discography

Studio albums

• Cent Mètres Au Paradis (1989)
• Fous à lier (1992)
• Post-Partum (1995)
• Les Innocents (1999)

Compilation

• Meilleurs Souvenirs (2003)

Singles and EPs

With peak positions in French SNEP Singles Chart:^[3]

• "Pamela" (1985)
• "Jodie" (1987) - #34
• "Et le Temps n'attend pas" (1988)
• "Les Innocents chantent Noël" (1989)
• "Miss Monde pleure" (1990)
• "Mon Dernier Soldat" (1991)
• "L'Autre Finistère" (1992) - #10
• "Un Homme extraordinaire" (1993) - #27
• "Fous à lier" (1993)
• "Je vais à Bang Bang" (1993)
• "Un Monde parfait" (1995)
• "Colore" (1996) - #31
• "Des jours adverses" (1996)
• "Dentelle" (1996)
• "Raide raide raide" (1997)
• "Le Cygne" (1999)
• "Danny Wilde" (2000)
• "Une Vie moins ordinaire" (2000)
• "Un Homme extraordinaire" (2013) - #125

References