Les Innocents
| Company type | Duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Lille, France |
| Founder | Jean-Philippe Nataf, Jean-Christophe Urbain |
| Defunct | 2000 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2013 |
| Headquarters | Lille , France |
Key people | Jean-Philippe Nataf (Jipé), Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri) |
| Products | Pop and rock music albums and singles |
Les Innocents is a French pop and rock duo consisting of Jean-Philippe Nataf (known as Jipé, vocals and guitar) and Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri, vocals, guitar, and keyboards). The group was active from 1982 until 1999 before reuniting in 2013. Early line-ups also featured musicians such as Michael Rushton on drums, Bernard Viguie and Rico on bass, as well as Pierre Morin on drums.
Biography
Originating in Lille in 1982, Les Innocents first attracted attention with their 1987 single "Jodie" and their debut album Cent Mètres au Paradis released in 1989. Their major success arrived with the 1992 album Fous à lier, which included the popular track "L'Autre Finistère" that enjoyed significant airplay across France. The subsequent album Post Partum further established their commercial appeal, highlighted by the single "Colore," one of the most frequently played songs on French radio in 1996.
The band's 1999 eponymous release experienced modest commercial performance and internal conflicts culminated in their disbandment in 2000. Following the split, Nataf embarked on a solo path while Urbain dedicated himself to production and songwriting for other artists. In 2003, they reunited briefly to release a greatest hits compilation titled Meilleurs Souvenirs. The duo has maintained strong professional connections with singer Jil Caplan, with Urbain eventually becoming her partner.
After reforming in 2013, Les Innocents returned to live shows and launched the album Mandarine in 2015, reaffirming their standing within the French music scene.
Members
- 1982–June 1988: JP Nataf (Jipé), Rico, Bertrand Sansonetti (Tramber), Pierre Morin
- June 1988–1990: JP Nataf (Jipé), Rico, Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri)
- 1990–1995: JP Nataf (Jipé), Rico, Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri), Michael Rushton
- 1996–1999: JP Nataf (Jipé), Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri), Michael Rushton, Bernard Viguié, Christopher Board
- Since 2013: JP Nataf (Jipé), Jean-Christophe Urbain (Jean-Chri)
Bertrand Sansonetti released an album titled Saint-Lazare in 1991, which includes the track "Le carrousel". Pierre Morin produced two albums: La Fidélité mon amour (1991) and Free Vol (1995).
Studio albums
- Cent Mètres Au Paradis (1989)
- Fous à lier (1992)
- Post-Partum (1995)
- Les Innocents (1999)
- Mandarine (2015)
- 6 1/2 (2019)
Compilation
- Meilleurs Souvenirs (2003)
Singles and EPs
Chart positions according to the French SNEP Singles Chart:
- "Pamela" (1985)
- "Jodie" (1987) - #34
- "Et le Temps n'attend pas" (1988)
- "Les Innocents chantent Noël" (1989)
- "Miss Monde pleure" (1990)
- "Mon Dernier Soldat" (1991)
- "L'Autre Finistère" (1992) - #10
- "Un Homme extraordinaire" (1993) - #27
- "Fous à lier" (1993)
- "Je vais à Bang Bang" (1993)
- "Un Monde parfait" (1995)
- "Colore" (1996) - #31
- "Des jours adverses" (1996)
- "Dentelle" (1996)
- "Raide raide raide" (1997)
- "Le Cygne" (1999)
- "Danny Wilde" (2000)
- "Une Vie moins ordinaire" (2000)
- "Un Homme extraordinaire" (2013) - #125
- "Les philharmonies martiennes" (2015)
- "Love qui peut" (2015)