Les Forbans

Les Forbans, a French rock‑n‑roll band formed in 1978 by classmates from Champigny‑sur‑Marne, Val‑de‑Marne, emerged from daily garage rehearsals into the national scene. Their first single, "Chante", issued in 1982, reached over two million sales and established the group’s signature sound. The same year the album Chante followed, featuring original compositions from all members, while the single "Flip‑Flap" highlighted their energetic style. Throughout the 1980s the band released Le Rock des Copains (1980) and Flip‑Flap (1984), and toured extensively, sharing stages with contemporary French rock acts. In 1990, Les Forbans regrouped with founding members Albert “Bébert” Kassabi, Michel “Chelmi” Papain, and Philippe “Selmar” Masse, producing De Toi à Moi (1990), Virage (1992), Hey Mambo! (1994), and Rock'n'Roll Story (1996), which reinforced their presence on the charts. The early 2000s saw compilations such as Anthologie (2003) and live recordings like Les Forbans Live (2006), solidifying their legacy. After a 2017 lineup change and a 2020 tour, Albert “Bébert” Kassabi’s death on 25 November 2025 marked the end of the group’s active era, leaving a catalog that continues to influence French rock music.

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