Remembering Moustache

Moustache was born François-Alexandre Galepides on February 14, 1929 in Paris, France. He was a jazz drummer and French actor of Greek descent. In 1948, he joined the Claude Luter Orchestra, playing in the clubs of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. His nickname comes from his beautiful mustache. The group was often accompanied Sidney Bechet.

 
In 1950, he led his own bands (‘Les sept complices’ and ‘Les gros minets’). With the group ‘Moustache et ses Moustachus’, in 1956, he recorded as a drummer and singer, several EP, and 45s Rock 'n 'Roll parody song such as “Croque-Skull-Creux, with a text by Boris Vian.
 
In 1978, he formed the group ‘Les petits Français’ (including Marcel Zanini, Attenoux Michel and François Guin), which records, among other things jazz songs of Georges Brassens.
 
At the same time, Moustache had a career as a restaurateur (The Moustache Restaurant, Avenue Duquesne Paris), and headlined in several clubs in the 1960s such as The Bilboquet and in 1976 , The Jazz Club at the Hotel Méridien Etoile as a comic and actor.
 
He was a member of the Star Racing Team in motor racing, with other celebrities of the 1980s’, such as the actor Jean-Louis Trintignant.
 
Moustache appeared in only one Euro-western: “Zorro” in 1974 as Sergeant Garcia alongside Alain Delon.
 
He died from a car accident on March 25, 1987 in Arpajon, Essone, France. He was 58 years-old.
 
Today we remember Moustache on what would have been his 85^th birthday.