Chico talks about the beginning of the Gypsy Kings

Chico, whose real name is Jahloul Bouchikhi, was born and raised in Arles. In the 1970s, he co-founded the group Los Reyes, which in 1981 became the Gipsy Kings. In 1991, Chico was ousted from the Gipsy Kings and founded Chico & the Gypsies. In 1996, he was appointed special envoy for peace at UNESCO, a mission he carried out with dedication for twenty years.

A life and career journey that he recounts in the book “Chico: under the gypsy stars, my life with the Gypsies“, published by Robert Laffont and available from October 17.

Who is behind the Gipsy Kings? Chico. Who brought together the two great gypsy families of Arles and Montpellier, making the Saint-Tropez nights of the 1970s and 1980s vibrate, then the whole world to the captivating rhythm of flamenco rumbas? Chico again. But who would have thought that behind this legendary group hid an even more incredible destiny?

For the first time, Chico Bouchikhi tells his story. How he became the ambassador of the gypsy even though he is not a gypsy. How, along the paths of life, he was confronted with the tragic loss of his own brother, murdered by the Mossad by mistake. In this whirlwind of events, this musician friend of the stars – from Johnny Hallyday to Brigitte Bardot, from Charles Aznavour to Elton John – found himself both in front of delirious crowds in the four corners of the globe and in front of political figures like Yasser Arafat and Shimon Peres to celebrate the Oslo Accords, becoming a living symbol of reconciliation.

Chico will sign his book, ” Chico: under the gypsy stars, my life with the Gypsies “, published by Robert Laffont, this Friday October 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chapelle du Méjan in Arles.