The Fleur de Lys (initially Les Fleur de Lys [sic]) were a British band originally formed in late 1964, in Southampton, Hampshire, England. They recorded singles beginning in 1965 in the transitional Beat to psychedelic music genre, later known as freakbeat. The band had varied line-ups; only drummer Keith Guster was a member throughout their history.[1] The band disbanded in 1969.
Fleur de Lys were managed by Atlantic Records' Frank Fenter, who had also discovered Sharon Tandy, one of few white artists to record for Stax Records. Sweet Feeling's manager Howard Conder recruited the band to record the song "Reflections of Charles Brown", under the name Rupert's People.[1][2] This single, heavily reminiscent of Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale", failed to chart (except in Australia where it reached No. 13 in August 1967) despite receiving airplay but became a collectable item according to Record Collector Magazine (Issue c. 1992). The band recorded a B-side, "Hold On" which was their last work with Conder.[2]
Jimmy Page produced their first single (and wrote the b-side) and co-produced their second release with Glyn Johns. In 1966 Chas Chandler added Jimi Hendrix to "Amen", a song they had recorded in London. They are featured on Hip Young Guitar Slinger and other reissues of 1960s British rock. A compilation of their work was issued in 1996 under the name Reflections.
Paul Anderson, Damian Jones: Circles: The Strange Story of the "Fleur De Lys", Britain's Forgotten Soul Band (Published November 16, 2009 by Acid Jazz Books) ISBN0-9523935-1-4
