Jacques Brel is a talented French bard, actor, poet, director. His work is original. It was not just a musician, but a real phenomenon. Jacques said the following about himself: “I love down-to-earth ladies, and I never go for an encore.” He left the stage at the peak of his popularity. His work was admired not only in France, but all over the world.
He released eight brilliant LPs. The musical compositions of the artist are saturated with the archaic genre of the French chanson with existential problems, previously unheard of in it.
Childhood and youth
Jacques Romain Georges Brel (full name of the artist) was born on April 8, 1929. The boy's birthplace was Scharbeek (Belgium). The head of the family owned a small factory for the production of cardboard and paper. Another child was brought up in the family. Jacques received a classical Catholic education.
The boy's parents married late, so they were often mistaken for grandparents. It was difficult for Brel to find a common language with his father. They were people of different generations with their own opinions and views on a particular life situation. Jacques felt like a lonely child, and only his mother became a joy for him.
In the early 40s of the last century, the parents attached their son to the educational institution of St. Louis. At that time it was one of the most prestigious colleges in the settlement. He loved spelling and Dutch. In the same period of time, he became interested in literary sketches.
After some time, the young man, together with like-minded people, organized a drama club. The guys staged small performances. Jacques read the works of Jules Verne, Jack London and Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
Carried away by creativity, the young man forgot that exams were on the “nose”. When the head of the family realized that his son was not ready for the exams, he opened the doors to the family business for him. Jacques became a member of the Franche Corde charity project. At the end of the 40s of the last century, he headed the organization and staged several enchanting performances.
The creative path of Jacques Brel
After Jacques repaid his debt to his homeland, he returned home. The father tried to draw his son into the family business, but soon realized that Brel had no interest in this occupation.
In the early 50s of the last century, Jacques took up writing author's compositions. After some time, he performed several compositions in the circle of friends and relatives. The songs did not find public interest. The young musician touched on sharp and peculiar topics that not everyone understood.
A few years later, he began performing on the stage of the Black Rose establishment. His work began to acquire interest, and Jacques himself gained enough experience to enter the professional stage. Soon he presented a full-length debut album.
Then he receives an offer from producer Jacques Canetti and moves to France. Good luck accompanied him, because a year later Juliette Greco herself sang the song Ca va at a concert at Olympia. A few months later, the aspiring singer was on the site. This was followed by long tours with already established stars.
In the mid-50s, his discography became richer by one more longplay. In the same period of time, he met Francois Robert. The acquaintance of two talents resulted in fruitful cooperation. Robert agreed to accompany the singer. It really was the perfect tandem. Later, Jacques was seen with another musician - Gerard Jouanne. At the end of the 50s, the bard presented to the public the record Demain l'on se marie. At this time, the artist's popularity peaked.
The rise of Jacques Brel
Popularity swept over Jacques in the late 50s of the last century. Since that time, he has been touring even more and pleases fans with the release of new albums. The artist perfected his work with his voice and performing style.
In the early 60s, the premiere of the record Marieke took place. In support of the collection, he held a number of concerts. He was recognized as one of the most popular chansonniers in France. He went on a world tour, and a year later he changed the Philips label to Barclay.
A year later, his discography was enriched by two more LPs. At the same time, a presentation of one of the artist's most popular tracks took place. We are talking about the track Le plat pays. Such a rise incredibly motivated the artist. Soon he became the owner of his own label. Brel's brainchild was named Arlequin. A little later, he renamed the company to Pouchenel. Jacques' label was run by his wife.
In the mid-60s, two records were released. This period of time is marked by the recording of the track "Amsterdam". At the same time, the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque was in the hands of the bard.
But soon he left the big stage and took up the production of musicals. He began to act in the dramatic field, and also tried his hand at cinema. Soon the tape "Dangerous Profession" appeared on the screens. Jacques Brel took part in the filming of the tape. Then he appeared in two more films, and then tried his directorial talent in the film "Franz". He also starred in the movie "Adventure is Adventure."
Barclay made Jacques an offer he simply couldn't refuse. For as much as 30 years, the artist signed a contract with the company. He did not create new tracks, but decided to make an arrangement for the old and most popular hits. He did not leave the film industry and continued to realize himself in this field.
At the end of his life, the artist moved with his girlfriend to the Marquesas Islands. However, life on the islands seemed to him so dreary and unbearable that a year later he returned to France. Upon arrival, he published an album.
Details of the artist's personal life
The artist met Teresa Michilsen at one of the charity meetings. Friendship soon developed into a romantic one. Brel, a few years after they met, proposed to the girl. The family was raising three children.
When Jacques gained some weight in France, he tried to move his family to him. But Teresa did not seek to move to the metropolis. She enjoyed a quiet, moderate life. Brel insisted on moving, and, in the end, after three years, Michilsen succumbed to her husband's persuasion.
However, the woman soon returned to her homeland. She did not like life in France at all. In addition, she was very jarred by the absence of her husband, who was constantly on tour or in a recording studio. The wife gave Jacques freedom. From the newspapers, she learned about the love affairs of her husband. She was rather cold towards betrayal.
In the 60s, the artist was seen in a relationship with Sylvia Rive. The couple moved to the coast. Sometimes Jacques visited relatives. The official wife throughout his life remained a native person for him. He transferred the entire inheritance to Teresa and the children.
By the way, he did not believe in fatherly love, so he asked Teresa to tell the children about him, exclusively as a star. We quote:
“I do not believe in fatherly feelings, but I believe in motherly love. The father cannot have close contact with the children. You can, of course, lisp until the tongue falls off, but usually this does not lead to anything good. I never wanted my daughters to remember me with a pipe in my mouth and in slippers. I want them to remember me as a star."
Interesting facts about the artist
- He composed the sensual waltz La valse a mille temps.
- Brel loved to fly on airplanes. He even held a pilot's license. He had his own plane.
- Jacques also showed himself as a writer. One of the most famous books of the bard was The Traveler.
- In conscious life, Brel insisted that he had become an atheist.
Death of Jacques Brel
In the 70s, the artist's health began to deteriorate greatly. Doctors made disappointing diagnoses for Jacques and insisted that he should not live on the islands, since this climate did not suit him at all.
At the end of the 70s, Brel's condition deteriorated sharply. Doctors diagnosed him with cancer. October 9, 1978 he died. Blockage of the vessels of the lungs caused the death of the artist. His body was cremated.
