Marc Zermati facts for kids
Marc Zermati (born June 21, 1945 – died June 13, 2020) was a French music producer and promoter. He was known for helping to spread punk rock music, especially in France. He also owned a record shop and started his own record label.
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His Life and Music Career
Marc Zermati was born in Algiers and moved to France in the 1960s. He loved jazz and blues music. He opened a record shop called Open Market in Les Halles, Paris. In his shop, he mostly sold US garage and punk rock music from cities like London, Amsterdam, and New York City. His shop closed in 1977.
Starting a Record Label and Festivals
In 1972, Marc Zermati helped start the Skydog record label. This label released its first record in May 1973. This was even before another famous independent label, Stiff Records, started. Skydog also created the first independent music distribution system in France.
Marc Zermati was a big part of the early punk rock scene. In August 1976 and again in 1977, he organised what was called the "first European punk rock festival." These festivals took place in the French town of Mont-de-Marsan.
Working with Famous Bands
Zermati also organised tours in France for many well-known bands. These included The Clash, Dr. Feelgood, The Heartbreakers, and Eddie and the Hot Rods. He also put on concerts for bands like the Ramones and Talking Heads.
In 1976, he started Bizarre Distribution in London with Larry Debay. This company helped new independent record labels get their music out to people. His Skydog label released records by many famous groups, such as The Damned, Motörhead, MC5, and Iggy and the Stooges. He also managed bands like the Lou's and Stinky Toys. He even organised international tours for bands like Les Dogs and Flamin' Groovies.
Later Music Projects
In the 1990s, Marc Zermati started a new record label called "Kind of Groove." This was a part of Skydog. This new label focused on different kinds of music, including experimental, electronic, and acid jazz. Bands like the Japanese/French U.F.O., the German Marc Ashmann, and the French/American CFM Band released music on this label.
Marc Zermati passed away on June 13, 2020, from a heart attack.
Marc Zermati's Work as an Organiser
Marc Zermati helped organise tours and festivals for many artists. Here are some of the bands and musicians he worked with:
- The Heartbreakers
- Eddie and the Hot Rods
- Chrissie Hynde
- The Clash
- Wilko Johnson
- Dogs
- Big Audio Dynamite
- The Damned
- Happy Mondays
- Mano Negra
- Daft Punk
- Air
- Atom Rhumba
Music He Produced
As a producer, Marc Zermati helped artists record their music. Here are some of the artists he produced:
- Motörhead
- New York Dolls
- Johnny Thunders
- Wayne Kramer
- MC5
- Flambeurs
- Bebe Buell
- Iggy Pop
- Flamin' Groovies
- Kim Fowley
- Marc Ashmann
- Pimpi Aroyo/ City Zen
- United Future Organization
- CFM Band
- Bossa Nova Beatniks
Images for kids
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Marc Zermati in 1985
