A group of studio musicians, Le Système Crapoutchik takes its name from the nickname given by Jacques Dutronc to Gérard Kawczynski. Formed in 1968 on the initiative of guitarist Gérard Kawczynski, the group also includes Claude Puterflam (composer and singer), Jean-Pierre Alarcen (guitar), Alain Legovic, better known as Alain Chamfort (keyboards), Christian Padovan (bass) and Michel Pelay (drums). Signed to the Vogue label, he produced the EPs Monsieur Sans Joie and Un Peu de Rien, as well as the single "Poum le clown", before joining Claude Puterflam's new label, Flamophone. Their 1969 debut, Aussi Loin Que Je Me Souvienne..., influenced as much by melodic pop as progressive rock, is considered the first French concept album of its kind. When Alain Chamfort left the group to pursue a solo career, André Sitbon replaced Michel Pelay as drummer for the recording of the singles "Demain " (1969) and "Au clair de l'une..." (1970). The double album Flop, which followed, brought together old and new tracks under an ironic title, given the lack of success of the songs in terms of sales. In 1973, however, the musicians were still in demand in the studio and on stage, and took part in the rock opera La Révolution Française, alongside Martin Circus, Les Charlots, Alain Bashung and Claude-Michel Schönberg. In 1975, remaining members Puterflam, Kawczynski, Padovan and Sitbon recruited new partners for the group's 3rd and final studio album, which welcomed Jean-Claude Vannier, Bernard Ilous, Michel Bernholc and Marc Chantereau. Michel Bernholc passed away in 2002, followed by founder Gérard Kawczynski on April 9, 2014, at the age of 67.
