Les Chantels – Nostalgia Central

Formed in the Rosemont district of Montreal (Canada), Les Chantels (not to be confused with the 1950s girl group from New York) recorded six singles between 1965 and 1968.

Their first single, Come and See This Boy (1965), was sung in English. The following two – C’est Pas Permis (1965) and Je L’aime (Girl) (1966) – were in French. They returned to English for Shaggy Baggy Joe b/w Have You Ever Felt Blue (1966), before reverting to French again for J’ai Choisi La Plus Belle and Tu Es Trop Jeune (1967).

In 1966, the band teamed up with Monarch Wear to compose two songs and release a 45 to promote the Tee Kay brand of pants.

Vocalist Henri Picard eventually left Les Chantels to sing with another group called Les Miserables.

The group found a new singer named Albert Ramaglia, who took the stage name “Rémy”, and the band became known as Rémy & The Chantels. Ramaglia was the father of Canadian actor and musician Martin Dubreuil (who used the stage name “Johnny Maldoror” when he played with Montreal band, Les Breastfeeders).

Henri Picard
Vocals, keyboards
Pierre Laberge
Lead guitar
Bob Martini
Rhythm guitar
Pierre Deschenaux
Bass
Jean Laberge
Drums
Robert Monette
Guitar
Albert Ramaglia (Rémy)
Vocals