Fascinating stuff. I knew the track of course but none of the backstory. You mention Telex. I still remember being thoroughly confused and captivated by their debut album Looking For St Tropez - jaunty novelty songs next door to doomy synth pop (the epic Victime De La Société). That crazy Belgian sense of humour! I see that before meeting Vanloo, Hernandez backed Laurent Voulzy who I mention purely to give a gratuitous plug to the track Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde which I love! Madge doesn't look too happy in that pic with Hernadez. I understand they were dating at the time but judging by the look on Madge's face, poor old Patrick was about to get a nasty surprise!
Telex was definitely a bit of an oddball. Their first albums are brilliant, with Moskow Diskow serving as a perfect bridge between the late seventies’ space disco and what came next. Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde is another fantastic example of French humor, and I love how Kim makes a surprise appearance at the end of the video to say, “It’s time to go to sleep now, Laurent!” 😁
As for Patrick and Madonna, as far as I know, they never really had a relationship. The photo likely comes from a press event they attended together somewhere in Tunisia, if I’m not mistaken. The goal was to promote Madonna as an up-and-coming talent, but, of course, the press wasn’t interested in her—they came for Patrick. The interviews took place by a swimming pool, and in a bid to grab attention, Madonna made quite the statement: she jumped into the pool wearing just a white t-shirt.
One can only imagine the lengths Madonna must have gone to retrieve those pictures once her career skyrocketed. 😁 But it’s clear she wasn’t thrilled about the situation—you can tell from the surviving photos of the event!
As ever thanks for reading & reacting Paul ! Enjoy your weekend !
Thx for clarifying matters regarding Pat and Madge - again, all new to me. I agree that the appearance of Kim on Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde is a delight (I understand she's a major fan of French pop). I appreciate the humour of the track,.but for me it's primarily a lovely, melancholy slice of synth pop that the French do so well. Ironically, given Kim's presence, it's practically unknown in Britain due to being sung in the French language.
😁 I'm sure Plastic Bertrand will be making his appearance when I write about Lou Depryck and the Two Man Sound's "Que Tal America", the other big Belgian clubhit in the US nightclubs at the end of the seventies. Thanks for reading & reacting Uncle Maxie !
Fascinating stuff. I knew the track of course but none of the backstory. You mention Telex. I still remember being thoroughly confused and captivated by their debut album Looking For St Tropez - jaunty novelty songs next door to doomy synth pop (the epic Victime De La Société). That crazy Belgian sense of humour! I see that before meeting Vanloo, Hernandez backed Laurent Voulzy who I mention purely to give a gratuitous plug to the track Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde which I love! Madge doesn't look too happy in that pic with Hernadez. I understand they were dating at the time but judging by the look on Madge's face, poor old Patrick was about to get a nasty surprise!
Sttellla ( double “t” + three “l”s ) fits ‘novelty’ & ‘crazy belgian sense of humour’ times much
more than Telex, worth a try in the name of eccentricity.
This is a perfect example of just how delightfully eccentric our music culture can be, Uncle Maxie! 😃
Telex was definitely a bit of an oddball. Their first albums are brilliant, with Moskow Diskow serving as a perfect bridge between the late seventies’ space disco and what came next. Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde is another fantastic example of French humor, and I love how Kim makes a surprise appearance at the end of the video to say, “It’s time to go to sleep now, Laurent!” 😁
As for Patrick and Madonna, as far as I know, they never really had a relationship. The photo likely comes from a press event they attended together somewhere in Tunisia, if I’m not mistaken. The goal was to promote Madonna as an up-and-coming talent, but, of course, the press wasn’t interested in her—they came for Patrick. The interviews took place by a swimming pool, and in a bid to grab attention, Madonna made quite the statement: she jumped into the pool wearing just a white t-shirt.
One can only imagine the lengths Madonna must have gone to retrieve those pictures once her career skyrocketed. 😁 But it’s clear she wasn’t thrilled about the situation—you can tell from the surviving photos of the event!
As ever thanks for reading & reacting Paul ! Enjoy your weekend !
Thx for clarifying matters regarding Pat and Madge - again, all new to me. I agree that the appearance of Kim on Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde is a delight (I understand she's a major fan of French pop). I appreciate the humour of the track,.but for me it's primarily a lovely, melancholy slice of synth pop that the French do so well. Ironically, given Kim's presence, it's practically unknown in Britain due to being sung in the French language.
Thanks for the insight!!! Ekh, but if there only was a chance to mention Plastic Bertrand, the Belgian mascot somehow between the lines, giggle.
😁 I'm sure Plastic Bertrand will be making his appearance when I write about Lou Depryck and the Two Man Sound's "Que Tal America", the other big Belgian clubhit in the US nightclubs at the end of the seventies. Thanks for reading & reacting Uncle Maxie !
Great song and such a unique sound! I had no idea of the Madonna connection!
Something she'd rather have us forget altogether, I'm sure. 😃 Thanks for reading & reacting Dan !