Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🎨

Téléphone

arts Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Téléphone was a highly influential French rock band. They formed in 1976 in Paris. The group became one of the most successful rock acts in France. They are known for their energetic sound and massive popularity. Their music helped define French rock music for many years. To this day, they hold a major record in the music industry. They have sold approximately 10 million albums. No other French rock band has reached this level of sales.

The band's sound relied on the combined talents of four core members. Jean-Louis Aubert played the guitar, piano, and provided vocals. Louis Bertignac also played the guitar and sang. Richard Kolinka performed on the drums to provide the rhythm. Corine Marienneau played the bass guitar and the piano. Together, they created a layered musical experience. Each member contributed specific skills to build their rock style. They used these instruments to create many famous songs like "Hygiaphone" and "Cendrillon."

Throughout their career, the band released several important studio albums. Their self-titled debut album, "Téléphone," arrived in 1977. This was followed by "Crache Ton Venin" in 1979. In 1980, they released "Au Cœur de la Nuit." Their 1982 album, "Dure Limite," was a major success. It actually reached the number one spot on the French charts. Their final studio album, "Un autre monde," came out in 1984. This specific album featured John Entwistle, a member of the famous band The Who.

The history of the band is marked by great international success. By the late 1970s, they were a massive force in music. They traveled far beyond France to perform for large audiences. They even opened shows for the legendary band The Rolling Stones. These performances took place in Paris and Quebec. They also traveled to the United States and Japan. This global reach helped cement their status as superstars. However, the band eventually split up in 1986 due to personal reasons.

Despite the split, the members eventually reunited for special events. In September 2015, they performed a brief concert at the Point Éphémère. During this time, they used the name "Les Insus." This name means "insufferable" in French. The name also suggests the word "portable," which means "cellphone" in French. They used this name because the original lineup had changed. Aleksander Angelov replaced Corine Marienneau on the bass guitar. Because of this change, they could not use the name Téléphone.

This reunion led to a significant period of new activity. After shows in Lille and Lyon, they announced a real tour. This tour took place across France throughout 2016. It ran from April 27 to November 11. The group visited many major cities and several music festivals. They also planned a summer festival tour for 2017. Their musical journey with this new name concluded with a final gig. This large performance was held at the Stade de France on September 15, 2017.

Téléphone's impact is visible through their many awards and chart positions. Their album "Un autre monde" earned a prestigious honor in 1985. It won the "Victoire de la musique Album Rock" award. Many of their singles also performed well on the charts. For example, "Un autre monde" was a hit in 1984. The song "Le jour s'est levé" also reached number four in France. Their ability to stay relevant across decades is a testament to their skill. They remain a central part of the history of French rock music.

571 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.