Alain Bashung

Alain Bashung (1947-2009) was a French singer, songwriter, actor, and poet who emerged as one of the most iconic figures in French culture and popular music during the late 20th century. Born Alain Baschung on 1938 in Paris, France, Bashung became the quintessential French artist of the postmodern era. Throughout a career spanning four decades, Bashung produced a diverse body of work, including film soundtracks, collaborations with other high-profile French artists such as Brigitte Fontaine, and several bestselling solo albums.

Bashung's musical origins began with the klezmer and jazz-tinged cabaret/cabaret/vaudeville style performances hosted by his father at a night club in the Latin Quarter of the city. As a teenager Bashung expanded his palette by delving into the world of Anglo-American pop music, allowing artists such as Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash to influence his passionate singing style.

In 1967, Bashung released his debut self-titled EP. This little-noticed release soon yielded to a real debut album “Archi-Mélodie” in 1969. Due to its success, the follow-up, “Les femmes sont d’humeur changeant” (1970), entered the French charts, allowing the singer to embark on an extensive series of live shows throughout France.

Throughout the 1970s, Bashung's music veered from melodic pop to bluesy rock influenced by artists such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. In 1980, the singer released the influential concept album “Passé le Rio Grande.”. On this record Bashung explored rough but romantic images of Mexican landscapes reflecting the seismic political and cultural shifts of the era. That same year, Bashung was named “Male Singer of the Year” at the Victoires de la Musique.

The singer enjoyed considerable creative freedom in the eighties, as his music moved toward a hybrid of jazz, pop and rock without ignoring for a minute the convention of pop. By the 1990s, Bashung was firmly established in France and Europe and was routinely playing to large crowds. However, control over Bashung's creative direction occasionally became a source of contention between the singer and the labels he grew increasingly resentful of.

In 2003, Bashung won two Victoires de la Musique awards for his album “L'imprudence.” His next album, the landmark “Osez Josépohine” saw Bashung at the top of his powers. Produced in collaboration with celebrated French producer Dave Marcaccio, “Osez Josépohine” is the definitive statement on the art of French chanson and rock. It spawned the hits singles “Vertige de l'Amour” and “Comme un Legume.”

Alain Bashung's reputation has continued to build since his death in 2009 at the age of 62. The artist will forever remain an untouchable icon to all generations of French music fans and an essential reference in the long history of French cultural expression.