Les Fleur De Lys

Les Fleur De Lys

Les Fleur De Lys, also billed as The Fleur de Lys, is a British band formed in Southampton in 1964. The group works in a mod-psychedelic style that is later described as freakbeat, with a stronger soul influence than many comparable British acts of the period.

History

The band’s recording career runs roughly from 1965 to 1969, and its line-up changes several times during that period. Drummer Keith Guster is the only constant member throughout the group’s history. The band disbands in 1969.

At the start of their career, Les Fleur De Lys records two singles for Immediate, produced by Jimmy Page. There is some dispute about whether Page also plays guitar on those recordings. A cover of The Who’s “Circles” becomes one of the group’s most noted tracks and features the fluid, slightly distorted guitar style that becomes a hallmark of their sound.

The group does not achieve a commercial hit, although several of their singles later become sought after by collectors of British 1960s rock. They continue to sustain themselves in the late 1960s by backing the South African singer Sharon Tandy, who has relocated to Britain. The band also records intermittently under other names, including Shyster, Chocolate Frog and Rupert’s People, and plays on singles by Tandy, Waygood Ellis and John Bromley.

Key recordings

Among their better-known freakbeat singles are “Hold On”, “Mud in Your Eye” and “Gong with the Luminous Nose”, which is described as their most psychedelic recording. A single issued as Rupert’s People, “Reflections of Charlie Brown”, becomes a European hit of sorts, though later Rupert’s People releases are not by Les Fleur De Lys.

Members and later careers

Several musicians who pass through the band later move on to better-known groups and solo work. Keyboardist Pete Sears plays with Sam Gopal, becomes a founding member of Jefferson Starship, and later plays with Hot Tuna. Bassist Gordon Haskell replaces Greg Lake in King Crimson before pursuing a solo career. Guitarist Bryn Haworth records solo albums in the 1970s.

Compilation

A compilation of the band’s work is issued in 1996 under the title Reflections.