Jacques Brel

Born: 1929-04-08

Jacques Romain Georges Brel (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, Neil Hannon, 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, James Dean Bradfield, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams. Brel was a successful actor, appearing in 10 films. He directed two films, one of which, Le Far West, was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973. Having sold over 25 million records worldwide, Brel is the third best-selling Belgian recording artist of all time. Brel married Thérèse "Miche" Michielsen in 1950, and the couple had three children. He also had a romantic relationship with actress and dancer Maddly Bamy from 1972 until his death in 1978. Jacques Romain Georges Brel was born on 8 April 1929 in Schaerbeek, Brussels, to Élisabeth "Lisette" (née Lambertine) and Romain Brel. He came from a family of Flemish descent (who had adopted the French language); part of his family originated in Zandvoorde, near Ypres. His father worked for Cominex, an import–export firm, and later became co-director of a company that manufactured cardboard. Jacques and his older brother Pierre grew up in an austere household, and attended a Catholic primary school, École Saint-Viateur, run by the order of Saint Viator. Remembered as a courteous and manageable pupil, Brel did well in reading and writing, but struggled through arithmetic and Dutch. The boys were also members of the local Boy Scout troop, and enjoyed their time at summer camp and on family outings to the North Sea coast. In Brussels, the family lived at 138 Avenue du Diamant in Schaerbeek, then moved to 26 Boulevard Belgica in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, and finally settled at 7 Rue Jacques-Manne in Anderlecht. Brel was close to his mother, fascinated by her generosity and sense of humour, which he inherited. ... Source: Article "Jacques Brel" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.


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Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

as Self
Released: 1975-01-27

Three attendees at a puppet theater don various roles in order to sing a variety of songs by...

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A Pain in the Ass

as François Pignon
Released: 1973-09-20

Ralf Milan, a hitman, arrives in Montpellier to kill an important witness. He checks in a hotel...

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Money Money Money

as Jacques
Released: 1972-05-04

When they realize the times are changing, five crooks decide to switch from bank robberies to...

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Scott Walker: 30 Century Man

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2007-04-27

A documentary on the influential musician Scott Walker.

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Risky Business

as Jean Doucet
Released: 1967-12-21

A teenage girl accuses her primary schoolteacher, Jean Doucet (Jacques Brel), of trying to rape...

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My Uncle Benjamin

as Benjamin Rathery
Released: 1969-11-28

Benjamin is in love with Manette, the innkeeper's beautiful daughter, but she has no intention...

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Far West

as Jacques
Released: 1973-05-31

This Belgian/French tale chronicles the efforts of Jacques (Jacques Brel) to find the Old West...

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Law Breakers

as Bernard Level
Released: 1971-05-07

A judge investigating police corruption finds that the deeper he digs, the more roadblocks he finds.

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Bonnot's Gang

as Raymond la Science
Released: 1968-11-01

The story of a notorious French criminal gang of the 1910s.

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Franz

as Léon
Released: 1972-02-07

In a French seaside town, at a boarding house for civil servants recovering from surgery and...

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Lino Ventura, la part intime

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2018-02-04

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Jacques Brel - Les Adieux à l'Olympia

as Self
Released: 1966-06-23

This last recital will remain forever marked in the history of the famous hall. It is one of the...

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D'un film à l'autre

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2011-04-13

On April 13, 2011, Les Films 13 production company turned 50. How can one celebrate an...

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J’aime les Belges !

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2008-09-15

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Jacques Brel, fou de vivre

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2017-02-03

Presents archival material as well as interviews with those who were close to Jacques Brel, who...

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The Bar at the Crossing

as Vincent Van Horst
Released: 1972-08-23

In 1916, Vincent van Horst leaves Europe to return to his Canadian homeland. There, he seeks his...

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Mont-Dragon

as Georges Dormond - un aspirant dégradé
Released: 1970-12-16

Because he has seduced Germaine de Boismenil, Georges Dormont is thrown out of the army by the...

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Petit Jour

as Self
Released: 1962-01-01

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Jacques Brel, une vie à mille temps

as Jacques Brel
Released: 2015-08-01

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Brel à Knokke

as Self
Released: 2008-09-15

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Jacques Brel - Comme quand on était beau

as Self
Released: 2004-11-04

A 3 volume DVD set issued by Barclay Records to mark the 25th anniversary of Jacques Brel's...

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Champs-Elysées

as Self (archive footage)
First aired: 1982-01-16

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Le Grand Échiquier

as Self
First aired: 1972-01-12

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Le monde est à vous

as Self (archive footage)
First aired: 1987-09-13

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Discorama

as Self
First aired: 1959-02-04

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