FM
History
Lasting Weep was formed in 1968 by Jerome Langlois (guitar, piano, clarinet), Alain Bergeron (flute), Mathieu Leger (percussions) and Claude Chapleau (bass) when they were just teenagers. The group's name was derived from Paul Verlaine's poem "Chanson d'Automne" ("Les sanglots longs..."), and was in English as was still the case with all rock groups from Quebec (Offenbach Soap Opera, WD Fisher, The Medium...) until the end of the decade. Lasting Weep's cover repertoire was heavily influenced by blues-rock (Hendrix, Ten Years After, etc.), and combined with classical music training and a new fascination for progressive rock (particularly Jethro Tull), the group began composing its own music. In 1969, having earned some studio time while working as session musicians (mainly for soundtracks), Lasting Weep professionally recorded three lengthy pieces which were never put on vinyl as the group was unable to attract a record label.
The band played many shows in cafés and clubs, and was even invited to back-up King Crimson at College St-Laurent, and also played at the Festival de Manseau in 1970. In 1971, Lasting Weep began writing a rock opera entitled "L'Albatros", but in 1972 the group disbanded, and Langlois and Bergeron founded Maneige. Léger then joined the Quatuor de Jazz Libre du Québec, and played with Michel Madore, followed by Conventum, and eventually L'Orchestre Sympathique in 1976, while Chapleau went on to produce.
