Isaac Bitton

Isaac “Jacky” Bitton (born 2 December 1947) was the drummer for Les Variations, a French rock band that rose to stardom between 1967 and 1975, after which when they split up.

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Bitton moved from Morocco to France alone at the age of 18.

Early history

Together with his friends, Bitton formed a rock group and played locally until getting noticed in 1969. Les Variations opened for some of the top billed rockers of the day, such as Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Kiss, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Taste and Aerosmith.

Having a close affinity to his Jewish roots, Bitton always wore the Star of David around his neck while performing.

Bitton is said to have been rated at the time in the top three drummers of Europe. He jammed with John Bonham and Robert Plant in a club in Belgium.

Jewish identity

Bitton met Chabad emissaries (shluchim) who helped him further discover his orthodox Jewish heritage.

Les Variations' end

By the end of 1975, Les Variations, with their new singer Robert Fitoussi, were nearing a deal to tour with the Rolling Stones. The deal did not come to fruition, however, because the singer soon left the group. Bitton took the opportunity to go to New York, where he met the Lubavitcher Rebbe for the first time.

Bitton

Bitton is a village and civil parish in South Gloucestershire, England, in the Greater Bristol area on the River Boyd.

It is in the far south of the South Gloucestershire district, near the border with Bath and North East Somerset. The parish of Bitton has a population of 9,307, and apart from the village itself, includes Swineford, Upton Cheyney, Beach, Oldland Common, North Common and part of Willsbridge.

Bitton is the birthplace of author Dick King Smith and actress Richenda Carey, home to artist Kate Ward and television presenter Noel Edmonds. The Grange, by St Mary's Church, was once the home of Jane, one of the wives of Henry VIII.

Governance

An electoral ward with the same name exists. This ward does not cover as much of the outskirts of Bristol as the parish. The total population of the ward taken at the 2011 census is 3,509.

Transport

The A431 road runs through the village. Beyond Bitton the road routes north-west to Willsbridge and south-east to Kelston. The heritage Avon Valley Railway terminates at Bitton railway station. The National Cycle Network Bristol & Bath Railway Path runs alongside the railway.