Les Surfs
Encyclopedia
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
The eldest six of twelve children were Coco, Pat, Rocky, Dave, Monikya (Monique) and Nicole Rabaraona. Born in MadagascarMadagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
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
The Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
, "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 on the grand opening of the second television station in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. 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 France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
with a Spanish version. They toured with Frank Alamo and Sheila and in 1964 they performed at the Olympia in Paris
Paris Olympia
The Olympia is a music hall in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Located at No. 28, Boulevard des Capucines, its closest métro/RER stations are Madeleine, Opéra, Havre – Caumartin and Auber....
. 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
Sanremo
Sanremo or San Remo is a city with about 57,000 inhabitants on the Mediterranean coast of western Liguria in north-western Italy. Founded in Roman times, the city is best known as a tourist destination on the Italian Riviera. It hosts numerous cultural events, such as the Sanremo Music Festival...
secured them as a popular act in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. With further television appearances in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
they garnered an international audience of millions. As a dynamic sounding and original looking group they secured many original compositions and some covers of English language songs.
With their career spanning from 1958 to 1971, they performed for royalty and common people alike. By the time the late 1960s had rolled around they had their own young families and so in 1971, at the end of a very long tour, Les Surfs decided to call it a day.
The following years would see Monica and Rocky reunite for a couple of years but this didn't last. The boys settled in Canada and started their own families. Monica 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. Monikya 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 has been laid to rest with her sister in the Rabaraona Family tomb in Fiakarana, Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
.
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" with Petulia Clark (1964) London TV
- "Petulia 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
- "Petulia 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
45 RPM EP's 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 EP's 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 Matillo / Crossfire / Cuándo Llegen 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 Salon 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 (Compilacion con otros cantantes) (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-61)
- Cada Noche / Nunca Alcanzaras El Cielo / Querido Guilliermo / Una Casa No Es Hogar (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-64)
- Su Forma De Besar / Ahora Te Puedes Marchar / Ya Veras / 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 / Ye Veras / 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 / Porque No Yo? / Hang On Sloopy / If You Please (Hispavox-Festival HF 37-72)
- En Un Flor / La Vida Es Asi / 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 EP's Italy
- Ce Garcon (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 Ca / Ca 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)
- 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)
- Quando Dico Che Ti Amo / L'Importante E Esser Liberi (Festival FX 140)
33 RPM LP's 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 LP's Spain
- 16 Grandes Exitos De Les Surfs (1964 Hispavox-Festival HF 31-02) - Tu Seras 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 Matillo / Hay Un Lugar / De Mi Mejor Amigo / 100.000 Chicas / No Tiene Importancia / Apaguen Esa Lus / Es Más Fácil Decirlo Que Hacerlo / Cuándo Llegen Los Santos
- Les Surfs 16 Grandes Exitos (1976 Hispavox-Festival HF 31-03) - Tu Seras 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 Matillo / Hay Un Lugar / De Mi Mejor Amigo / 100.000 Chicas / No Tiene Importancia / Apaguen Esa Lus / Es Más Fácil Decirlo Que Hacerlo / Cuándo Llegen Los Santos