Les Surfs were a

Yé-yé ''Yé-yé'' () (''yeyé'' in Spanish) was a style of pop music that emerged in Western-Southern Europe in the early 1960s. The French term "''yé-yé''" was derived from the English "yeah! yeah!", popularized by British beat music bands such as ...

-style pop group from

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...

, that existed from 1963 until 1971.

Members

*Monique (Monikya), born May 8, 1945, died November 15, 1993 *Nicole born July 21, 1946, died May 5, 2000 *Coco born June 19, 1939 *Pat born April 13, 1941 *Rocky born May 7, 1942 *Dave born December 4, 1943

History

Coco, Pat, Rocky, Dave, Monikya (Monique), and Nicole Rabaraona were the eldest six of twelve children. Born in

, the four brothers and two sisters performed as the vocal group "Les Surfs" from 1963 to 1971. On October 14, 1958, they entered a singing competition held by Radio Tananarive under the name "Rabaraona Brothers and Sisters" performing two songs by

The Platters The Platters was an American vocal group formed in 1952. They are one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound bridges the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the new burgeoning genre. The ac ...

, "Only You" and "The Great Pretender". They were awarded with first prize and then began performing under the new name "The Beryl". They toured Madagascar with Henry Ratsimbazafy and the CCC guitars, and it was at this time they recorded their first 45's, "Little Flower," "Marin," and "The Three Bells". On September 8, 1963, they appeared during the grand opening of the second television station in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. Their performance endeared them to the French public, so Jean-Louis Rafidy, who was chaperone to the Rabaraonas while in Paris, urged them to sign a contract with Festival Records and release a single as soon as possible. With the release of "Reviens Vite Et Oublie" a cover of "Be My Baby", the group who were now named "Les Surfs" were at the top of the charts for three months in

and in

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

and

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

with a Spanish version. They toured with

Frank Alamo Frank Alamo (born Jean-François Grandin; 12 October 1941 – 11 October 2012) was a French singer. He achieved his greatest success in the 1960s. Biography He was born in Paris. He sang in a leading French children's choir, "Les Petits Chanteu ...

and

Sheila Sheila (alternatively spelled Shelagh and Sheelagh) is a common feminine given name, derived from the Irish name ''Síle'', which is believed to be a Gaelic form of the Latin name Caelia, the feminine form of the Roman clan name Caelius, meanin ...

and in 1964 they performed at the Olympia in Paris. It was here they were proclaimed the "Newcomers Of The Year". They recorded and toured throughout the 1960s in languages and countries all over the world. Performances at San Remo secured them as a popular act in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

, and

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

. With further television appearances in

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

, and the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

they garnered an international audience of millions. As a dynamic-sounding, original-looking group, they secured many original compositions and some covers of English-language songs. During a career spanning from 1958 to 1971, they also performed for royalty. By the late 1960s they had their own young families and so in 1971, at the end of a very long tour, Les Surfs decided to break up. The following years would see Monique and Rocky reunite for a couple of years but this didn't last. The boys settled in Canada and started their own families. Monique lived in Canada for a while but eventually returned to live in France. Nicole immigrated to the United States and worked as a carer for children in need. Monique died suddenly on November 15, 1993, at the age of 48. She is survived by her two sons Lawrence and Nicolas. Nicole died on May 5, 2000, and was laid to rest with her sister in the Rabaraona family tomb in Fiakarana,

. In 2008, Dave Rabaraona started a new group "Les Surfs 2008" which participated in the French tour "Âge tendre et tête de bois 2008" during the 2008-2009 season. The line up of "Les Surfs 2008" included, in addition to Dave Rabaraona, Isa Rabaraona, Jackya Rabaraona, his cousin Bruno, and Mahenintsoa Fidy.

Filmography and TV

* ''Tête de Bois et Tendres Années'' (1963) French TV * ''Tête de Bois et Tendres Années'' (1964) French TV * ''Cherchez l'idole'' (1964) French film * ''La Rose d’or de Montreux'', appearing with The Rolling Stones (1964) Swiss TV * ''

Ready Steady Go! ''Ready Steady Go!'' (or ''RSG!'') was a British rock/pop music television programme broadcast every Friday evening from 9 August 1963 until 23 December 1966. It was conceived by Elkan Allan, head of Rediffusion TV. Allan wanted a light enter ...

'', with Petula Clark (1964) London TV * ''Petula Clark Show'' (1965) London TV * ''Rundherum die welt'' (1965) Hamburg TV * ''La Rose d’or de Montreux'' (1965) Swiss TV * ''The Hollywood Palace'' (1965) American TV * ''Ready Steady Go!'', appearing with The Rolling Stones (1966) London TV * ''This Is Tom Jones'' (1966) London TV * ''Petula Clark Show'' (1966) London TV * ''Cravate Noir'' (1967) French TV * ''Les Palmarès des Chansons'' (1967) French TV * ''The Talk Of The Town'' (1968) London TV * ''The Jack Benny Show'' (1968) London TV

Discography

* Go Your Way (Gentille, Lentine, Connor) 1965 (RCA 1461) 45 RPM EPs France * Reviens vite et oublie / Ce garçon / Dum Dum Dee Dum / Pas si simple que ça (1963 - Festival FX 1363) * Si j'avais un marteau / Écoute cet air-là / T'en va pas comme ça / Uh Uh (1963 - Festival FX 1367) * À présent tu peux t'en aller / Je sais qu'un jour / Je te pardonne / Ça n'a pas d'importance from the film Cherchez L'Idole (1964 - Festival FX 1378) * Shoop Shoop... Va l'embrasser / Je ne suis pas trop jeune / Adieu chagrin / Avec toi je ne sais plus (1964 - Festival FX 1380) * Chaque nuit / Tu n'iras pas au ciel / Un toit ne suffit pas / Sacré Josh (1964 - Festival FX 1410) * Le Printemps sur la colline / Tu Verras / Café, Vanille ou Chocolat / Pour une rose (1965 - Festival FX 1432) * Tant que tu seras / Clac tape / Pour une pomme / Partager tous tes rêves (1965 - Festival FX 1442) * Scandale dans la famille / Défense de toucher à mon amour / Ton souvenir / Stop (1965 - Festival FX 1459) * Reviens Sloopy / Les hommes n'auront plus de peurs / If You Please / Pourquoi pas moi (1965 - Festival FX 1470) * Par amour pour toi / Les Mouches au plafond / Va où tu veux / Sur tous les murs (1966 - Festival FX 1480) * Alors / Mon chat qui s'appelle Médor / Longtemps / Pulchérie chérie (1966 - Festival FX 1496) * Une rose de Vienne / Si loin d'Angleterre / Les Troubadours de notre temps / Un jour se lève (1966 - Festival FX 1513) * Mon pays est bien loin / Drôle de fille / C'est grâce à toi / J'ai tant de joie (1967 - Festival FX 1533) * Les Noces d'argent / Toi seul / Une tête dure / Aime-moi comme je t'aime (1967 - Festival FX 1562) 45 RPM EPs Spain * Tu Serás Mi Baby / Mi Mejor Amigo / Dum-dum-dee-dum / Es Más Fácil Decirlo Que Hacerlo (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-52) * Si Tuviera Un Martillo / Crossfire / Cuándo Lleguen Los Santos / No, No Me Dejes (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-53) * Ciribiribín / Uh Huh / 100.000 Chicas / No Quieras A Un Extraño (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-55) * Tu Serás Mi Baby / Ciribiribín / No, No Te Yayas / El Crossfire (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-57) * Ahora Te Puedes Marchar / En Un Salón Del Siglo XVIII / No Tiene Importancia / Baby, Te Quiero (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-58) * Su Forma De Besar / Nos Ven Muy Jóvenes / Hay Un Lugar / Hago Mal En Quererte (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-60) * De Mi Mejor Amigo (Compilación con otros cantantes) (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-61) * Cada Noche / Nunca Alcanzarás El Cielo / Querido Guillermo / Una Casa No Es Un Hogar (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-64) * Su Forma De Besar / Ahora Te Puedes Marchar / Ya Verás / Por Una Rosa (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-66) * Stop / La Gente Dice / Tus Sueños / Café, Vainilla O Chocolate (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-67) * Por Una Rosa / Clac Tape / Ya Verás / El Juego Del Amor (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-69) * Stop / El Juego Del Amor / El Mundo Necesita Amor / Escándalo En La Familia (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-71) * Prohibido Acercarse A Mi Chica / ¿Por Qué No Yo? / Hang On, Sloopy / If You Please (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-72) * En Una Flor / La Vida Es Así / Concierto Para Enamorados / Café, Vainilla O Chocolate (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-76) * Flores En La Pared / Cosi' Come' Viene / In Un Fiore / En Las Paredes (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-79) 45 RPM EPs Italy * Ce Garçon (My Best Friend) / Reviens Vite Et Oublie (Be My Baby) (Festival FX 110) * Si J'avais Un Marteau (If I had a hammer) / Uh Huh (Festival FX 111) * Quando Balli Il Surf / E Adesso Te Ne Puoi Andare (Festival FX 117) * T'en Va Pas Comme Ça / Ça N'a Pas D'Importance (Festival FX 118) * Quando Balli Il Surf / Spegnete Quella Luce (Festival FX 119) * Si vedrà / Piu' Si Che No (Festival FX 125) * Stop / Per Una Rosa (Festival FX 126) * Clap Tap / Quando Tu Vorrai (Festival FX 130) * Un Grosso Scandalo / Spiegami Come Mai (Festival FX 131) * Così Come Viene / In Un Fiore (Festival FX 133) * Molto Di Piu' / Va Dove Vuoi (Festival FX 135) * L'Amore Verra' / AlloraLaLaLa (Festival FX 137) * Quando Dico Che Ti Amo / L'Importante E Essere Liberi (Festival FX 140) 33 RPM LPs France * Les Surfs à l'Olympia (1964 - Festival FLD 330 S) : Reviens vite et oublie / Ce garçon / Oublie cet étranger / Pas si simple que ça / Cent mille filles / Gotta Lotta Love / Si j'avais un marteau / Écoute cet air-là / T'en va pas comme ça / Dum Dum Dee Dum / Uh Uh / When the Saints Go Marching In * Les Surfs (1964 - Festival FLD 337 S) : Chaque nuit / Sacré Josh / Tu n'iras pas au ciel / Tu pars et tu pleures / Ils disaient / Adieu marin / Un toit ne suffit pas / Moi, qui t'aime encore / Pour une rose / Reste avec moi / Je ne veux pas changer / Richard Cœur de Lion * Les Surfs (1964 - Festival FLD 340 S) : Adieu, chagrin / It's All Right / Avec toi, je ne sais plus / Je te pardonne / Toi, tu m'as tout donné / Shoop Shoop... Va l'embrasser / À présent tu peux t'en aller / Je sais qu'un jour / Ça n'a pas d'importance / Je ne suis pas trop jeune * Les Surfs (1965 - Festival FLD 345 S) : Si j'avais un marteau / Reviens vite et oublie / Tu Verras / Claque Tape / Stop / Pour Une Rose / When the Saints Go Marching In / Café, Vanille ou Chocolat / Le Printemps sur la colline / Défense de toucher à mon amour / Partager tous tes rêves / Ne joue pas la comédie / À présent tu peux t'en aller * Les Surfs (1966 - Festival FLD 375 S) : Alors / Les Mouches au plafond / Pulchérie chérie / Longtemps / Sur tous les murs / Reviens, Sloopy / Mon chat, qui s'appelle Médor / If You Please / Les hommes n'auront plus de peurs / Pourquoi pas moi / Va où tu veux / Par amour pour toi 33 RPM LPs Spain * 16 Grandes Éxitos De Les Surfs (1964 Hispavox-Festival HF 31-02) - Tu Serás Mi Baby / Su Forma De Besar / Ahora Te Puedes Marchar / El Crossfire / No, No Te Yayas / Dum-dum-dee-dum / Todo Me Lo Has Dado / Ciribiribín / Si Tuviera Un Martillo / Hay Un Lugar / De Mi Mejor Amigo / 100.000 Chicas / No Tiene Importancia / Apaguen Esa Luz / Es Más Fácil Decirlo Que Hacerlo / Cuándo Lleguen Los Santos * Les Surfs 16 Grandes Exitos (1976 Hispavox-Festival HF 31-03) - Tu Serás Mi Baby / Su Forma De Besar / Ahora Te Puedes Marchar / El Crossfire / No, No Te Yayas / Dum-dum-dee-dum / Todo Me Lo Has Dado / Ciribiribín / Si Tuviera Un Martillo / Hay Un Lugar / De Mi Mejor Amigo / 100.000 Chicas / No Tiene Importancia / Apaguen Esa Luz / Es Más Fácil Decirlo Que Hacerlo / Cuándo Lleguen Los Santos

External links

Les Surfs Official Site

Les Surfs History, Biography, Photos, Videos, Links to merchandise and much more
{{DEFAULTSORT:Surfs Malagasy musical groups Musical groups established in 1963 Musical groups disestablished in 1971 Sibling musical groups