Born on December 1st: Alain Bashung, French rock poet who waited a long time for success
The only child of a Breton mother and a father he never knew, Alain Bashung was born on December 1, 1947.
He spent the first years of his life in the Alsace countryside, living with his stepfather's family. The young boy, keen on basketball and cycling, played the harmonica and sang in the church choir. As a teenager, he let his dreams escape to America and rock, which he discovered with Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly.
Armed with his first guitar, given to him by his godmother to celebrate the end of his studies, he began his career in the early sixties, in Paris, but success was not forthcoming. Bashung suffered one setback after another, even leaving his precious guitar behind, which he had plugged directly into a wall socket, unaware that he had to use an amp. As a result, the instrument exploded, along with the young singer's hopes.
Convinced that he had to be patient and that bad luck would go away, he took one job after another, alternating between arranger and studio musician; never far from music, of course! It was while working with Dick Rivers that he met the successful lyricist Boris Bergman. It was a decisive meeting that brought him luck, as their collaboration resulted in “Gaby, oh! Gaby”, a quirky, slightly absurd song that won over the public. One million copies were sold. Quite a success for a song that was partly written on the spur of the moment in the recording studio.
The 80s were prolific with albums such as “Pizza”, which included the legendary “Vertige de l'amour”. With Gainsbourg, he co-wrote “Play blessures”, a darker album that was acclaimed by critics.
Later, “Osez Joséphine” blends blues and French romanticism. Alain Bashung has become a fixture on the French music scene, and this opus confirms it. The husky-voiced singer went on to release a string of albums, as well as appearing on stage and in film, embracing a career as an actor.
In 2008, while battling lung cancer (he was a heavy smoker), the dandy recorded his last album, “Bleu pétrole”, which he celebrated with a final tour that sounded like a farewell. Alain Bashung died at the age of 61, leaving behind songs that have crossed generations.
(MH with CMa - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)
Photo: Alain Bashung on stage at the Hôtel de Ville in Charleroi (Belgium) in 1981.