Les Mustangs

Les Mustangs was the backing band for french teen singer Billy Bridge, and released two singles and an EP in 1962 and 1963. The band consisted of Francois Rolland on lead guitar, Jacques Logel on rhythm guitar, Michel Souillac on bass guitar, and William Brahmi on drums (later replaced with Aldo Sciortino and again with Pierre 'Peter' Sainz). The band formed in the early 60's as 'The Schtroumpfs' (the name of a popular cartoon during that time), playing guitar boogie and 'Shadows' style guitar arrangements. After some nightclub gigs in the Champs Elysses area, they caught wind of tryouts for Bridge's backing band; they were picked and became Les Mustangs. Mickey Baker, of 'Mickey and Sylvia' fame, mentored the band; writing songs and expanding their musical knowledge by introducing them to the output of Barney Kessel, Freddie King, and Charlie Christian. In September 1962 at the Olympia in Paris, Billy Bridge and Les Mustangs performed a show alongside The Shadows. The performance later appeared in an English film 'Just for Fun' (released in 1963). By 1964, Bridge had gone solo and the remaining band members had been drafted into the service. In the years after, Francois Rolland continued working in the industry as a successful session musician.