Formed on the initiative of Roger Horte, Raymond de Rycker and Jean-Louis Fenoglio, Les Trois Ménestrels was born in 1955. Roger Horte soon left the trio, to be replaced by Maria Sandrini, and they began performing for tourists in France's major cities: Lyon, then Paris, where their style was spotted. Jacques Canetti, producer and founder of the Trois Baudets concert hall, appreciates the trio's performances and invites them to perform on his stage. After the release of 45-tours, including the song "Ballade De Davy Crockett", and a first album, 1 - Chansons En Ballades, released by Fontana in 1958, Les Trois Ménestrels grew in popularity in the 1960s. Their lyrical songs, recited in a register somewhere between concert and play or show, made their performances an event to watch, and helped spread the word about their songs. Famous for their covers of the French repertoire, including Guy Béart, Gilbert Bécaud, Jacques Brel and Jean Ferrat, Les Trois Ménestrels left their mark on their generation with nine albums (including Le Tango Des Employés De Bureau in 1969), numerous singles released between 1956 and 1973, and hit songs such as "La Ballade Des Balladins" and "Trousse-Chemise". The trio's musical career came to an abrupt halt when Jean-Louis Fenoglio died in 1976, murdered in his home in Gambais by the group's stage manager.