Jacques Brel
Jacques Romain Georges Brel (listen ; 8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer, songwriter, actor and director who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, later throughout the world. He is considered a master of the modern chanson. Although he recorded most of his songs in French and occasionally in Dutch, he became an influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers, such as Scott Walker, David Bowie, Alex Harvey, Marc Almond and Rod McKuen. English translations of his songs were recorded by many performers, including: Bowie; Walker, Ray Charles; Judy Collins; John Denver; The Kingston Trio; Nina Simone; Shirley Bassey; Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams.
You can find people similar to Jacques Brel by visiting our lists Belgian male guitarists and Belgian male poets.
| Full name at birth | Jacques Romain Georges Brel
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| Claim to fame |
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| Date of birth | 8 April 1929
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| Place of birth | Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium
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| Date of death | 9 October 1978
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| Age | 49 (age at death)
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| Place of death | Bobigny, Seine-Saint-Denis, Ile-de-France
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| Resting place | Atuona Cemetery, Atuona, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
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| Occupation | Singer-songwriter, actor
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PERSONAL DETAILS
| Height | 5' 11¾" (182 cm)
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS
| High school |
high school
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![Yves Montand - France-Dimanche Magazine Cover [France] (26 July 2019)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/c/h/chcqxtrhrkh0hhhx.jpg?skj2io4l)
![Jacques Brel - Retro Magazine Pictorial [Poland] (July 2017)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/u/3/u3vqz7ydzqbk7zvk.jpg?skj2io4l)
![Jacques Brel - Cine Tele Revue Magazine Pictorial [France] (25 February 1965)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/m/y/my9vztpon73jzoy3.jpg?skj2io4l)
- Joined the Catholic-humanist youth organization "Franche Cordée", where he started acting and singing.
- Embarked a yacht to sail around the world, but, being a heavy smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer after reaching the Canary Islands (1973).
- A metro station on the line 1B in Brussels is named after him.
- He sang in two languages: French and Dutch. He used to translate most of his French songs into Dutch.
Jacques Brel is known for his role in the film My Uncle Benjamin (1969) as writer - uncredited.
He is also known for his role in the film La bande à Bonnot (1968) as Raymond Callemin dit 'Raymond la Science'.
More...
- Albums (297) keyboard_arrow_right
- Songs (602) keyboard_arrow_right
- Trivia (4) keyboard_arrow_right
- Pictorials (3) keyboard_arrow_right
- Magazines (8) keyboard_arrow_right
- Photos (59) keyboard_arrow_right
- Lists (40) keyboard_arrow_right
- Filmography (344) keyboard_arrow_right
- Awards (1) keyboard_arrow_right
- Fans (6) keyboard_arrow_right
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