Daniel Balavoine
| Daniel Balavoine | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Bala |
| Born |
5 February 1952 Alençon, Orne, France |
| Died | 14 January 1986 (aged 33) Gourma-Rharous, Mali |
| Genres | Pop, new wave, world |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, producer |
| Instruments |
Acoustic guitar Piano Synthesizer Fairlight CMI |
| Years active | 1971–1986 |
| Labels |
Disques Vogue (1971–1973) Barclay Records–Universal Music Group (1975–1986) |
| Associated acts | Présence Starmania |
| Website | www |
| Notable instruments | |
| Fairlight CMI | |
Daniel Balavoine (5 February 1952 – 14 January 1986), also known as Bala and "french chayanne", was a French singer and songwriter. He was hugely popular in the French-speaking world, and inspired many singers in the 1980s, such as Jean-Jacques Goldman, a Japanese pop-rock group Crystal King (band) and Michel Berger, his closest friend. He took part in French political life and is known for a 1980 televised verbal confrontation with then presidential candidate François Mitterrand.
In the French music-business, Balavoine earned his own place with his powerful voice, his wide range, and his lyrics, which were full of sadness and revolt. He was emphatic, and his songs for the most part talked about despair, pain, and death, although hope was present as a theme as well. He sold more than 20 million records during his career.
Balavoine was born on 5 February 1952 in Alençon, France. He was the youngest in a family of six children. He had two sisters and three brothers. His father, Emile, was an urban engineer and worked for the Reconstruction Ministry. His mother was an antiques wholesaler. In 1959, his father relocated to Algeria, and Balavoine moved to southern city of Pau and attended a boarding school, an experience he clearly didn't appreciate. When he was eleven, he heard She Loves You by The Beatles which sparked his taste in music. In 1968, while attending high school, he was one of the many youth who supported the nationwide strikes.
Having fully decided to make a living in music, he began to perform as a ballroom singer in Pau, performing Bob Dylan songs. In 1971, he moved to Paris but it was again disappointing for him and he returned to Pau. Soon afterwards, he answered an audition in Paris to join a hard rock band, Présence, whose singer had just left. Another future singer, Laurent Voulzy, was the main competition for the job. Ultimately, Balavoine was chosen and went into the studio. The band soon released an album which wasn't a big success. Despite that, they toured all over France. In 1972, the band signed a contract with Warner Music Group but Balavoine quit the group.
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Wikipedia