Jacques Brel

Jacques Brel
Brel in 1962
Born
Jacques Romain Georges Brel

(1929-04-08)8 April 1929
Died9 October 1978(1978-10-09) (aged 49)
Resting placeCalvary Cemetery
Other namesLe Grand Jacques ("The Great Jacques")
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
Years active1953–1978
SpouseThérèse "Miche" Michielsen (m. 1950)
Children3
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar, piano
Labels
Websitejacquesbrel.be/en
Signature

Jacques Romain Georges Brel (French: [ʒɑk ʁɔmɛ̃ ʒɔʁʒ bʁɛl] ; 8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer and actor who composed and performed theatrical songs. He generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, but later throughout the world. He is considered a master of the modern chanson.[1]

Although he recorded most of his songs in French and occasionally in Flemish, he became an influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers, such as Scott Walker, David Bowie, Brett Anderson, Alex Harvey, Marc Almond, Neil Hannon, and Rod McKuen. English translations of his songs were recorded by many performers, including Bowie, Walker, Anderson, Ray Charles, Judy Collins, John Denver, The Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, James Dean Bradfield, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams.[2]

Brel was a successful actor, appearing in 10 films. He directed two films, one of which, Le Far West, was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973.[3] Having sold over 25 million records worldwide, Brel is the third-best-selling Belgian recording artist of all time. Brel married Thérèse "Miche" Michielsen in 1950, and the couple had three children. He also had a romantic relationship with actress and dancer Maddly Bamy from 1972 until his death in 1978.

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  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference cannes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).