What makes part 2 different than part 1? In part 2, we have regrouped the most popular and emblematic singers who defined French music and its culture. It is in no particular order, and we left the numbers out as it is hard to say which one is the best, enjoy.
Laurent Voulzy
Laurent Voulzy (1948-present) is a French singer-songwriter, composer, and musician. In 1974, he met the young talent, Alain Souchon, where they compose "J'ai Dix Ans," and made the duo at the top of the charts. Since this date, Laurent Voulzy has participated in the production of all the albums of his sidekick. In 1977, he revealed to the public is hit, "Rockollection" and published his first album, Le Coeur Grenadine in 1979. He has made several hits during his career that includes "Désir, Désir" with Véronique Jannot and "Le Soleil Donne" in the '80s.
To celebrate 30 years of the career hit, "Rockollection," the singer released Recollection in 2008. He goes to another style to surprise everyone that is inspired by the medieval period and its legends for the album Lys and Love, in 2011. The album includes the single, "Jeanne" where it wins the Victoire de la Musique of the song of the year.
France Gall
France Gall (1947-2018) was a French singer. She is known for her two big hits with the French singer, Serge Gainsbourg, who wrote for her, the Eurovision song contest winner "Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son." In 1974, she married the songwriter and producer, Michel Berger, where she resumed her career and became a success in the world of the French song. When Michel Berger died suddenly in 1992, France Gall moved to Los Angeles and was semi-retired, appearing only at special events and finally move to Senegal in 2000.
Serge Lama
Serge Lama (1943-present) is a French singer and songwriter. His first hit appeared in 1964, where he performed in the first part of Georges Brassens. In 1973, the consecration came with his hit "Je Suis Malade," which he wrote for his wife, Michèle. He repeatedly went on tour and made albums before settling in 1983 with the creation of a musical dedicated to Napoléon. On January 1st, 2020, he announced that his next tour will be the last one of his career due to a health issue.
Jacques Dutronc
Jacques Dutronc (1981-present) is a French singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer, and actor. He gained popularity in his native France country with his provocative songs that matched the rebellious spirit of the '60s so well. Though absent from the musical scene for nearly a decade, pursuing a film career, he successfully returned to music in the early '80s and still remains one of the most popular performers in the French-speaking world.
Jacques Brel
Jacques Brel (1929-1978) was a Belgium singer, songwriter, actor, and director who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following, initially in France and Belgium and later throughout the world. In 1953, he started singing in French cafés, but did not meet initial success, but persevered. His first album, Jacques Brel et ses Chansons, appeared in 1955. His actual success came to the title song of his second album, Quand on n'a que l'Amour, and by the end of the decade, he was a star in France. His best-known songs, including "Ne Ne Quitte Pas," "Amsterdan," "Madeleine," "Les Vieux" and "La Chanson des Vieux Amants."
Léo Ferré
Léo Ferré (1916-1993) was a popular French songwriter, Franco-Italian poet, and composer of the Monégasque origin. His career as a singer evolved successfully, where he signed a contract with the brand Odeon, performing at prestigious venues, including the Olympia. Léo Ferré gave his first concert in 1958 in Bobino. Records by Ferré were produced almost every year with enviable regularity. His popular hits include, "Paris Canaille," "Avec le Temps," "La Mémoire et la Mer" and "L'affiche Rouge."
Dalida
Dalida (1933-1987) was an Italian-French singer and actress. In a career of over 30 years, Dalida earned 45 gold record awards and a pair of platinum records for her sales in Europe, the Middle East, and Japan. A star in Europe, Dalida enjoyed hit records in three different decades, despite an increasingly troubles life after the early '60s. Her popular hits include, "Helwa Ya Baladi," "Mourir sur Scène," "Paroles, Paroles" and "Je suis Malade."
Michel Polnareff
Michel Polnareff (1944-present) is a French pop songwriter. Known for his eccentric nature, he created a buzz for himself in the early to the mid-'60s when his debut single, "La Poupée Qui Fait Non," made it to the top of the French charts. It follows with "L'Amour avec Toi," and his hits succeed with "Love Me," "Please Love Me," "On Ira Tous au Paradis" and "Je suis un Homme." In 1971, he created his own style with black glasses, blond hair, and also with tight pants. He continues his career, where he heads to the United States and is a success. His next song, "Lettre à France" to express his homesickness.
Renaud
Renaud (1952-present) is a popular French singer, songwriter, and actor. In 1975, he published his first album, Amoureux de Paname, but it is his second opus, Laisse Béton, in 1977, who is revealed to the public. The 80s marks a turning point in his style, with a writing style inspired by his personal life, where he publishes a number of albums that include, Ma Gonzesse in 1979, Mache à L'ombre in 1980, and Mistral Gagnant in 1985. In 1993, Renaud interpreted traditional songs with the album, Renaud Cante el' Nord, where he receives the Victoire de la musique for the album of traditional music.
In the year 2000, he makes several albums, such as, Boucan d'Enfer in 2002, Rouge Sang in 2006 and La Bande à Renaud in 2014.
Michel Berger
Michel Berger (1947-1992) was a French singer and songwriter. In the 70s, he publishes his first album, Puzzle, a concerto composed with the musician Michel Bernholc, but it's a failure. It is not until 1974 that his album Chanson pour un Fan with the single "Ecoute la Musique" makes a real success.
The consecration arrived in 1980 with the album Beauséjour with popular hits, such as, "La Groupie du Pianiste," "Quelques Mots d'Amour" and "Celui qui Chante." After this success, he made several albums, Beaurivage in 19891, Voyou in 1983, Différences in 1985 and Ca ne Tient pas Debout in 1990. In 1992, he published an album with France Gall, Double Jeu.
For more music industry advice, follow us on social media!
Instagram: @3300Climbing
Facebook: @3300Climbing
Twitter: @3300Climbing