Forget today’s French music: there was real musical genius in the seventies. Most of them are long forgotten, including guitarist Alain Renaud.

Alain Renaud formed three bands in the seventies, but hardly ever gave concerts, preferring the intimacy of studios. His albums sold poorly — some were only pressed in just a thousand copies. His music was very much in the style of King Crimson, with hints of Frank Zappa. His first solo album dates from 1975, his last album found a re-release in 1982. Since then Alain Renaud virtually disappeared without a trace.

This video gives a great impression of the revolutionary sixties and seventies atmosphere in France. The music is by Heldon, Renaud’s first band.

[Via]