33 Tours started as Les Playboys in 1963 in Fréjus, a town in southern France. The group included Jean-Paul Karaquillo on vocals, his brother Jean-Pierre on guitar, Alain Le Govic on bass, and Michel De Palma on drums. They played covers in local garages and small venues, drawing from the British Invasion sounds of bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
In 1965, they released "California Dreamin'," which became an international hit. The song was written by Michel De Palma and Jean-Pierre Karaquillo. It reached the top of the charts in over 20 countries, capturing something of the era's mood with its melody and lyrics.
The band faced some trouble in 1966 when they were arrested for performing at a concert without a permit. Their lyrics sometimes touched on topics like drugs and sex, which drew criticism from more conservative listeners at the time.
33 Tours put out a few albums, including their self-titled debut in 1965 and the "California Dreamin'" album in 1966. They broke up in 1971.
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