Belle Epoque (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Belle Epoque


Img_capt =
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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Paris, France
Genre = Disco Pop
Years_active = 1977 - 1979
Label =
URL = * [http://www.evelynebelleepoque.com/indexenglish.htm Official Website of Evy-Belle Epoque]
Current_members =
Past_members =

Belle Epoque (also referenced in some sources as La Belle Epoque) was the name of a female, disco music trio based in Paris, France. The group first rose to popularity during the mid to late 1970s with a disco remake of the song, "Black is Black," originally a hit in 1966 for the Spanish group, Los Bravos.

History

Belle Epoque consisted of lead singer Evelyne Lenton, a French singer who began recording and performing in the early 1960s under the name Evy, as well as two back-up singers. Originally, the back-up singers were Jusy Fortes (also known as Judy Lisboa cite book
last = Whitburn
first = Joel
title = Joel Whitburn Presents Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles 1942-2004
publisher = Billboard/Record Research
date = 2004
location = Menomonee Falls, Wisc., U.S.
pages = p. 52
isbn = 0-89820-160-8] ), originating from Cape Verde, and Marcia Briscoe (also known as Marcia Briscue cite book
last = Whitburn
first = Joel
title = Joel Whitburn Presents Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles 1942-2004
publisher = Billboard/Record Research
date = 2004
location = Menomonee Falls, Wisc., U.S.
pages = p. 52
isbn = 0-89820-160-8] ), hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. cite web
last = Lenton
first = Evelyne
title = Biography
work = Official Website of Evy-Belle Epoque-Evelyne Lenton
url = http://www.evelynebelleepoque.com/indexenglish.htm
accessdate = 2007-05-28 ] However, over time, as Lenton notes, "The girls kept changing with the circumstances." cite web
last = Lenton
first = Evelyne
title = Biography
work = Official Website of Evy-Belle Epoque-Evelyne Lenton
url = http://www.evelynebelleepoque.com/indexenglish.htm
accessdate = 2007-05-28 ]

The trio scored a major European hit in 1977 with their discofied remake of "Black is Black," sometimes also known as "Disco Sound"/"Black is Black." The Belle Epoque version was a top ten hit in many European countries and a number 2 in the UK Singles Chart.cite book
first= David
last= Roberts
year= 2006
title= British Hit Singles & Albums
edition= 19th
publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
location= London
pages= p. 310
id= ISBN 1-904994-10-5] The song also became a number 1 hit in Australia in 1978.

In the U.S., Belle Epoque is better known for another song, "Miss Broadway," which charted at number 26 on the U.S. R&B chart and at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. cite book
last = Whitburn
first = Joel
title = Joel Whitburn Presents Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles 1942-2004
publisher = Billboard/Record Research
date = 2004
location = Menomonee Falls, Wisc., U.S.
pages = p. 52
isbn = 0-89820-160-8] "Miss Broadway" and "Black is Black" both rose to number 21 on Billboard's "National Disco Action Top 40" chart in summer 1977.cite book
last = Whitburn
first = Joel
title = Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco 1974-2003
publisher = Billboard/Record Research
date = 2004
location = Menomonee Falls, Wisc., U.S.
pages = p. 32
isbn = 0-89820-156-X]

Other hits in continental Europe followed into the late 1970s. Lenton began recording solo again in 1983, although she has worked with contemporary music producers to craft remixes of "Black is Black" and "Miss Broadway." cite web
last = Lenton
first = Evelyne
title = Biography
work = Official Website of Evy-Belle Epoque-Evelyne Lenton
url = http://www.evelynebelleepoque.com/indexenglish.htm
accessdate = 2007-05-28 ]

Name

*In UK sources, such as David Roberts' "British Hit Singles & Albums," the band is listed by the name "La Belle Epoque." In U.S. sources, such as Joel Whitburn's "Hot Dance/Disco 1974-2003" and "Top Pop Singles 1955-2002," the group is listed as "Belle Epoque." Evelyne Lenton's official website lists the band's name as "Belle Epoque." "Belle Epoque" is also the name listed for the group on its first U.S. album, "Miss Broadway," released in 1977 on Big Tree Records (BT 76008).

Discography

Albums

*"Miss Broadway", 1977
*"Bamalama", 1978
*"Now", 1979

ingles

*"Black is Black", 1977
*"Miss Broadway", 1977
*"Bamalama", 1978
*"Let Men Be", 1978
*"Now", 1979
*"Jump Down", 1979
*"Come On"

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/belleepoque1 Official MySpace Page of Belle Epoque]
* [http://www.evelynebelleepoque.com/indexenglish.htm Official Website of Evy-Belle Epoque-Evelyne Lenton] .
* [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3445; Kent Music Report]