François-André – better known simply as André – came from a long line of musicians on his father’s side. His paternal grandfather Jean Danican Philidor (ca. 1620-1679) was a musician in the Grande Écurie (meaning, literally, the “Great Stable”), Paris’ famed military band. His great uncle Michel Danican (who died circa 1659) was a famous oboist who is credited – with Jean Hotteterre – with co-inventing the modern oboe. His father André Danican Philidor (circa 1647–1730 and later referred to as Philidor l'ainé - Philidor the Elder - to distinguish him from his more famous son) was an oboist in Grande Écurie military band and performed as well at the Royal Chapel, in the employ of none-other-than Louis XIV (1638-1715), the great “Sun King” himself.