An ace of dance music, who, mainly as a duo, has allowed France to make the whole world dance and who, despite the millions of records sold, has retained his anonymity ? And who is called Bangalter ? For those who follow the music, it is the name of Thomas Bangalter, half of Daft Punk with Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo from 1993 to 2021, which comes first.
But there is another Bangalter who ticks the same boxes: his father, Daniel Bangalter, who, under the pseudonym Daniel Vangarde – a reference to the famous British airplane –, wrote and produced, from the end of the 1960s to the end of the 1980s , a string of hits, sold or adapted well beyond our borders.
Ringo’s Scrub Saws (She, I only want her) to the Latin disco of the Gibson Brothers (Cuba, What will be mi vida…) or Ottawan (DISCO), from Black Blood’s afro hit (OUCH [A Mwana]) to the funky zouk of La Compagnie créole (It’s good for morale, The masked ball…), a few cult failures (the indescribable Who will keep my crocodile this summer?, d’Ottawan) and so many other pieces by Sheila, Carlos, Karen Cheryl… Unknown to the general public, Daniel Vangarde has nevertheless abundantly nourished the collective memory. And no doubt the unconscious of a son who has become one of the masters of the techno generation.
A forthcoming compilation of twenty tracks, The Vaults of Zagora Records Mastermind (1971-1984)testifies to what was his effervescent hits factory. “I went to see on YouTube if it was really me who produced all these songs. It’s all far away.” smiles the septuagenarian, about the selection of pieces submitted to him by the record and publishing company Because Music, to which he entrusted his repertoire ten years ago.
“More than staying in the shadows, I chose not to be in the light. »Daniel Vangarde
At the beginning of October, Vangarde is in Paris to manage the release of his compilation. In more than fifty years of career, he granted few interviews. Faithful to the discretion of the songwriters who have decided not to expose themselves as a performer. “More than staying in the shadows, I chose not to be in the light. I wanted to lead a quiet life. » Even if this little known legend of the French variety could sometimes suffer that his joyful collection of hits was disdained. Before critics rediscover him as the “father of”.
“Daniel Vangarde was one of the most singular personalities of his time, assures the musician and producer Bertrand Burgalat, as much fascinated by the work of Daft Punk as by that of Bangalter senior. Disco music has often been looked down upon, even though it’s one of the hardest to play. This is due to the excellence of studio musicians and producers like Vangarde. »
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