Drum Sheet – Starmania – L’air de l’Extraterrestre

“L’air de l’Extraterrestre“, from Starmania, is a unique moment in the famous rock opera by Michel Berger and Luc Plamondon. Released in 1978, Starmania revolutionized French-language musical theater with its bold music and futuristic themes. This song is performed by Ziggy, an eccentric DJ who dreams of escaping to another world, expressing his desire to break free from a dystopian society.

Michel Berger, a master of sophisticated melodies and rich arrangements, designed “L’air de l’Extraterrestre” as a percussive and hypnotic piece, relying on a dynamic rhythm section. The drums play a fundamental role, setting the tempo with a captivating, almost hypnotic groove that complements the dreamlike and hallucinatory quality of Luc Plamondon’s lyrics.

The recording sessions brought together talented musicians, including renowned studio drummers capable of capturing the song’s electro-pop-rock essence. The rhythm is highly syncopated, with a precise hi-hat pattern and a punchy snare drum, reinforcing the song’s mesmerizing effect.

Michel Berger also experimented with synthesizers and spacey sound effects, giving the track a futuristic and almost psychedelic atmosphere. The percussions, at times disco-inspired, anchor the song in an energy that is both danceable and intriguing, amplifying the strangeness of Ziggy’s character.

Since Starmania premiered in 1979 at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, “L’air de l’Extraterrestre” has been performed in numerous versions, both on stage and in studio recordings. Artists such as René Simard, Eic Estève, and Michel Pascal have all portrayed Ziggy in different productions of the musical.

The song resonated far beyond the theater stage: Starmania has been performed throughout France, Quebec, and several French-speaking countries, with legendary performances in Montreal and Paris.

For drum enthusiasts, this song is a perfect example of a rhythm that supports an immersive musical narrative, where the subtly groovy beat keeps the listener in a floating state between dream and reality. With its entrancing tempo and distinctive atmosphere, “L’air de l’Extraterrestre” remains a classic of French rock and a masterpiece for those who appreciate expressive and atmospheric drumming.