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Les Forbans Frontman Albert Kassabi Dies at 63
Albert Kassabi, the singer and leader of the popular 1980s French rock group Les Forbans, has died in the Paris region at the age of 63. The news was announced Tuesday by Michel Papain, co-founder and drummer of the band, on behalf of the family. Kassabi passed away following a prolonged illness.
Known affectionately as “Bébert,” Kassabi fronted Les Forbans too chart-topping success with their 1982 hit “Sing!,” a French adaptation of Ernie maresca’s “Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out).” The song resonated with audiences, selling nearly two million copies and becoming a staple of French popular music. Kassabi’s death marks the end of an era for a band that soundtracked a generation and continued to perform for decades, most recently participating in the “Age Tendre” tour celebrating beloved French singers.
formed in 1978 with high school friends, Les Forbans released approximately ten albums and maintained a robust touring schedule, performing around fifty concerts annually. They commemorated their 40th anniversary with a performance at the Olympia concert hall in Paris in 2018. Kassabi’s musical legacy will endure through the band’s extensive catalog and the enduring popularity of “Sing!,” a song that continues to be widely recognized and enjoyed in France.
