Artist: Zoo

Initially to be called La Question, this French band was created in April 1969 with members who were backing variety singers, playing in variety orchestras or making studio sessions. Quickly, they were engaged by record label Riviera, a sub label of Barclay. They changed their name during the studio sessions of their eponymous album as a sound engineer described the whole band playing in the studio as a zoo Unfortunately, the record label kept the tapes during 6 months before to release the album and other brass bands like BST have emerged and their music was not so much innovative. Internal discrepancies will appear quite fast in the band. The problem is simple: playing progressive rock or sticking to jazzy, r'n'b, soul and blues music? The trumpet player Tony Canal will be the first to leave the band and was replaced by Robert Guizien who stayed only a few months before to leave. During some months, the band played everywhere in France. The same year, they'll meet with Léo Ferré. Together they will record "Le Chien" and La The Nana, and Zoo will also be responsible for the orchestration the next year on Ferré's album La Solitude. In summer 70, guitarist Pierre Fanen and singer Joël Daydé left the band.To replace Joël Daydé, they went to England and published a small ad in the magazine Melody Maker and recruited Ian Bellamy, a singer who had made a single with the band Serendipity. So huge is the success both for Zoo and Ferré that the whole band will be invited again to play on Amour Anarchie - Ferré 70. They made a second album in September 1970 and toured in Great-Britain at the Ronnie Scott's club. Rhythm guitarist Michel Bonnecarrère left the band after the album's release and British tour. He was not replaced, keyboardist André Hervé played keyboards and guitar on records and on stage. 1971 will be a year seeing great collaborations, Ferré, as already stated, but also Nicoletta. Their last album Hard Times, Good Times will be released in 1972. During a tour with Leo Ferre, drummer Christian Devaux left the band and was replaced by Jean Padovani. They then disbanded around 1973 as they were not duly promoted by their label. Some of their members then formed the band Z.O.U.