Information/Write-up
Les Diables Noirs were an instrumental garage rock band from Drummondville, Quebec, active during the early 1960s. Originally formed as The Black Devils, the group adopted the French name Les Diables Noirs after their initial performances. Known for their mix of surf rock, garage instrumentals, and early rock ‘n’ roll, they became a cult favorite in the Canadian rock scene.
The original lineup included:
Michel Lavigne: lead guitar
Marcel Flamand: rhythm guitar
Robert Charron: bass guitar
Adrien Laflamme: drums
While performing at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, the band met Bobby Leclerc, who soon joined as their lead vocalist. This addition led to their first and only recording session in 1964, when they signed with producer Denis Pantis. They recorded a 45 RPM single featuring:
'Bien Trop Timide': a vocal track popularized by Johnny Hallyday, which became a local hit
'Surf Board': a high-energy instrumental track
Several of their songs, including "Surf Board," "Guitares à gogo," and "Stick Shift," later appeared on Early Canadian Rockers Vol. 6 and Vol. 11, solidifying their legacy among collectors of vintage Canadian rock.
By mid-1964, Bobby Leclerc left the band, and the group went through several vocalists, including Yves Jacques, Roger Saint-Martin, and Simon Parenteau. Shortly after, drummer Adrien Laflamme also departed, replaced by Serge Simard.
Despite their promising start, Les Diables Noirs disbanded at the end of 1965. While their time was short-lived, their music remains a hidden gem of Quebec's 1960s rock scene, capturing the raw energy of the era’s surf and garage rock explosion.
-Robert Williston
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