Les Irrésistibles

Les Irrésistibles (The Irresistibles) were a boy band during the late 1960s and early 1970s, whose members were Americans living in France. The lineup consisted of lead singer Jim McMains on keyboards and rhythm guitar, his identical twin brother Steve McMains on bass, Tom Arena on lead guitar, and Andy Cornelius on drums. The current whereabouts of Band members has been difficult to track. They returned to the US in the early 70's. Rumor has one brother currently living in Western North Carolina, the whereabouts of the other 3 are uncertain. One may have passed.

Les Irrésistibles
Also known asThe Sentrys
The Beloved Ones
OriginParis, France
GenresPop, rock
Years active1966–1972
LabelsCBS Records
Past membersJim McMains
Steve McMains
Tom Arena
Andy Cornelius

Origins

The band formed in 1968 as The Sentrys, when the members were teenage classmates at the American School of Paris.[1] They developed a following among the local American community by playing cover versions of contemporary hits. They came to the notice of recording scouts, and eventually signed with CBS, who marketed them as Les Irrésistibles. The arrangement included British carmaker Triumph as a corporate sponsor,[2] and the company's TR5 roadster featured prominently in the group's first video and early publicity photos.

The band's first release and biggest commercial success was "My Year is a Day" (music by William Sheller and lyrics by Tom Arena), which came out as a single in 1968. The song spent several weeks at number-one on the French pop charts, and a French version by Dalida appeared as "Dans la Ville Endormie".[3] In 2013 Israeli singer, Shy Nobleman, recorded his Hebrew version of the song, as "Yomi Hu Chalom". The notes on the record jacket contained a fictional account of their origins, claiming that the band formed in Los Angeles with the name The Beloved Ones, of which Les Irrésistibles was the French equivalent.

Discography

Albums
  • 1968: The Story of Baxter Williams

Singles
  • 1968: "My Year is a Day"
  • 1968: "Lands of Shadow"
  • 1969: "Dreams of Dolls"
  • 1969: "Why Try to Hide"
  • 1969: "Girl I Love You" / "Universe of Love"
  • 1970: "Peace of Love"
  • 1971: "Baby I Need You Back Again"
  • 1972: "Christmas Bells Will Ring (Petit Papa Noël)"[4]

References
  1. Le Phare, American School of Paris Yearbook, (1966-1969)
  2. "Triumph Pousse Les Irrésistibles", French newspaper article (1968)
  3. Dans La Ville Endormie (My Year Is A Day) Lyrics - Dalida, retrieved 2 May 2010
  4. Albums by Les Irrésistibles - Rate Your Music, retrieved 2 May 2010
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