Jean-Louis Aubert
Jean-Louis Aubert (b. 1955) does not fit the conventional profile of “chansonnier” employed on this website. He spent the first 10 years of his musical career as a leader of an iconic 4-person French rock band (“Téléphone”) that was cut from cloth similar to the Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Along with “Indochine,” the group “Téléphone” was one of the most successful bands in French music history but its focus on classic rock with guitars, bass and drums contrasted with “Indochine’s” new wave appropriation of keyboards and electronic synth-pop.
Téléphone members Louis Bertignac, Corinne Marienneau,
Jean-Louis Aubert & Richard Kolinka
Some symbolism of “Téléphone’s” early inspiration arises from the fact that their first (improvised) concert occurred in November 1976 at the “Centre Américain de Paris” on the Boulevard de Raspail at an event to celebrate the election of Jimmy Carter as US President. Once established, Aubert (a Mick Jagger look-alike) was the group’s front-man who delivered vocals and played guitar. It also included Louis Bertignac (guitar), Corine Marienneau (bass), and Richard Kolinka (drums). The band lasted only 10 years between 1976 and 1986, but released 5 studio albums, sold 10 million records and played nearly 500 concerts.
In 1986, Aubert segued to a solo career (with Richard Kolinka on drums) that continues to the present day. During that time, he also participated in other groups. In 2015-2017, a short-lived band “Les Insus” (“The Insufferables”) gathered 3 of the 4 former “Téléphone” members, minus Corine Marienneau on bass.
Aubert warrants classification as an “ACI” artist who composes music, writes lyrics and sings the songs. It seems likely that his occasional less-than-perfect vocal pitch earns authenticity points with fans for the ageing lion. Aubert adopts a relaxed demeanor during concerts, he flashes a broad smile, and projects an affability that knits a close relationship with his audience.
Aubert’s list of accomplishments is long with 100-150 songs in 10 solo studio albums. Among his most popular solo songs are the following titles:
Alter ego, 2001
Voilà c’est fini, 1989
Juste une illusion, 1987
Dès que le vent soufflera (written by Renaud)
Sur la route (with Raphael), 2003
Parle-moi, 2005
Bien sûr, 2019
Merveille, 2024
Temps à nouveau, 1994
Demain sera parfait, 2010
Les plages, 1987
Puisses-tu, 2011
Voilà c’est fini, 1989
Juste une illusion, 1987
Dès que le vent soufflera (written by Renaud)
Sur la route (with Raphael), 2003
Parle-moi, 2005
Bien sûr, 2019
Merveille, 2024
Temps à nouveau, 1994
Demain sera parfait, 2010
Les plages, 1987
Puisses-tu, 2011
Although Jean-Louis does not perch among the very top ranks of French “chansonniers,” in 2025 the RIFFX poll pegged him in the respectable 20th position in the “Top 20 Male Francophone Artists of 2025.” This is quite an accomplishment after 50 years of performance. In 2025, he celebrated this anniversary with arena dates and summer festivals, closing the year 2025 with a December concert titled “50 ans avec vous” at Europe’s largest venue, the Paris La Défense Arena, pictured below.
Paris La Défense Arena, December 13, 2025
Jean-Louis Aubert Song
“Alter ego,” 2001, Album: “Comme un accord