F. R. David

Biography

Elli Robert Fitoussi (born 1 January 1947), known professionally as F. R. David (French pronunciation: [ɛf ɛʁ david]), is a French singer, guitarist and musician. He is best known for his 1982 international hit single "Words×Words1982 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Words3:30A2Someone to Love3:29A3Take Me Back3:51A4Pick Up the Phone (re-mixed version)3:11A5Music3:15B1Rocker Blues3:33B2Givin’ It Up3:18B3He3:18B4Porcelain Eyes2:38B5Can’t Get Enough3:59", which topped the charts in many countries.

Early life, family and education

Elli Robert Fitoussi was born to a Tunisian Jewish family. He was born and grew up in Menzel Bourguiba, formerly known as Ferryville, which was then part of the French protectorate of Tunisia.

Career

In Paris, he began his music career as Robert Fitoussi. He first performed with French garage band Les Trèfles. After one EP, they expanded and were renamed Les Boots, but achieved very little commercial success. Adopting his new stage name - in which the initials F.R. referred to the first letters of the artist's real name and surname, and “David” - to the myth of David and Goliath, because he is Jewish - he went solo in 1967 and recorded some orchestral psychedelic pop with Michel Colombier, including a version of the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" ("Il Est Plus Facile"). He enjoyed minor hits with the Éric Charden penned "Symphonie×Symphonie1967 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Symphonie2:20A2Il est plus facile2:53B1Si bien oublié2:20B2Rien de plus2:05" and a cover of the Bee Gees' "Sir Geoffrey Saved the World", but this success did not last. He then created Aztec Records with Sonopress & Carrer and started working with Michael Haubrich, where they wrote and produced for several small groups. The first was called Cockpit, followed by David Cast, Doc & Prohibition Group, Ragga, Alain Maria, Freddy Meyer, and DD Daughterdydawn with Vangelis Papathanassiou.
During the early 1970s, F.R.David formed the progressive rock group David Explosion, but their one album was not a success. He was a guitarist for Vangelis in the early 1970s. With Vangelis, he also appeared as vocalist on some of his early 1970s albums. David's voice is also heard on the 1974 single "Who" by Vangelis under the name 'Odyssey'. David then joined French rock band Les Variations, appearing on their final album Café De Paris (1975), which featured an early rock-disco crossover "Superman, Superman". When the band broke up, he went solo again. His personal "trademarks" are his sunglasses and his guitar (a white Fender Stratocaster).
His most recognised song was his hit song "Words×Words1982 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Words3:30A2Someone to Love3:29A3Take Me Back3:51A4Pick Up the Phone (re-mixed version)3:11A5Music3:15B1Rocker Blues3:33B2Givin’ It Up3:18B3He3:18B4Porcelain Eyes2:38B5Can’t Get Enough3:59", which sold eight million records worldwide and topped various charts throughout Europe in late 1982. The song reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in spring 1983, surpassing a rival version by 1960s hitmakers the Tremeloes, and went on to become the 22nd best-selling single in the UK during 1983. The song appears in the Oscar-nominated film for Best Picture, Call Me by Your Name. The song is a catchy, slightly melancholy ballad led by synths and sung in a slender, high-pitched voice.
During the 1990s, F.R.David focused on writing and composing for other well known artists. He released another album, Words – '99 Version in 2000 which contains mostly covers. In 2006, the album The Wheel×The Wheel2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Words (J’Aime ces mots)3:342In My Mind3:203The Wheel3:324The Keeper of the Flame3:135Heart Sting3:176In Case You Didn’t Know3:367The First to Know3:238You Came to the Right Place3:019Some People Never Learn3:4110Don’t Tell Me How to Feel3:3311Dead Star3:0412Words3:34 - the track list of which was opened and closed by two new remixes of the song "Words" - was released.
In 2009, F.R.David released the album Numbers×Numbers2 October 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1The First to Know3:402Yasmeen3:353The Wheel3:314I’ll Try to Love Again3:215Taxi3:496In My Mind3:167Dead Star3:158Some People Never Learn3:549What I Get3:4710Be Blue2:3611Heart Sting3:2712Miss Me3:3113Taxi (Moscow)3:44, which was recorded in collaboration with other musicians and featured songs that Robert himself most preferred. Between 2010 and 2011, he went on a national French tour of 52 concerts. In 2013, F.R.David released an album "Midnight drive×Midnight Drive10 April 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1The Things I Missed3:422Inspiration3:243Miss You Now3:064Control3:185Echoes & Reflections3:236Serious Love2:597Searching Their Hearts3:528So Good3:199Go Find Somebody New3:1210Midnight Drive3:24".

Personal life

Elli Fitoussi is married, has two grown up children and one grandchild. He currently shares his time between his studio in Paris, France and his summer residence in Valencia, Spain.

Compilation albums

Rocker Blues (1986, Argentina only)
Greatest Hits (1991)
Best of F. R. David (2000)
Songbook (2003)

Discography in other formations

with Les Trèfles
Sont ils innocent? (EP, 1965)
with Les Boots
"Laissez briller le soleil"/"Trop tard"/"Le cerf-volant"/"Demain" (EP, 1966)
"Les gens sont méchants"/"Ali Baba"/"Vingt ans"/"Twen" (EP, 1966)
Tout Va Bien (Compilation, 1997)
with Cockpit
Cockpit (album, 1971)
"Fifi"/"Father Machine" (single, 1971)
"Bright Tomorrow"/"Lena, Lena" (single, 1971)
"Mister Hardy"/"8 Days and a Wake Up" (single, 1972)
with Les Variations
Café de Paris (album, 1975)
with King of Hearts
Close, but No Guitar (album, 1978)