Michel Sardou
| Michel Sardou | |
|---|---|
Michel Sardou performing in Bercy in 1998
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| Background information | |
| Born |
26 January 1947 Paris, France |
| Genres | French popular music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Labels | Barclay Records, Tréma, Universal Music Group |
| Website | www.michelsardou.net |
Michel Sardou (French pronunciation: [miʃɛl saʁdu]) (born 26 January 1947) is a French singer, songwriter and occasional actor.
Sardou was born in Paris, the son of Fernand Sardou and Jackie Caron (Jackie Sardou). He is the grandson of the comedian Valentin Sardou, as well as father of the French novelist Romain Sardou and the actor Davy Sardou.
He is known not only for his love songs ("La Maladie d'Amour", "Je vais t'aimer"), but also for songs dealing with various social and political issues, such as the rights of women in Islamic countries ("Musulmanes"), clerical celibacy ("Le Curé"), colonialism ("Le Temps des colonies", "Ils ont le pétrole mais c'est tout") or the death penalty ("Je suis pour"). Another sometimes controversial theme found in some of his songs ("Les Ricains" and "Monsieur le Président de France" for example) is his respect and support for the culture and foreign policies of the United States of America. He has been accused of being a racist due to his 1976 song "Le Temps des colonies", where he sang positively about colonialism and slavery, but Sardou has always claimed the song was sarcastic. He has concentrated on his homeland, rather than seeking an international audience, although his 1981 single "Les Lacs du Connemara" did manage to become a big international hit (especially in the Netherlands). A number of his hit songs were written in collaboration with Jacques Revaux and Pierre Delanoë, a few others (most notably "En Chantant") with Italian singer Toto Cutugno.
Even in the 21st century, Sardou remains quite popular in France, selling out eighteen consecutive dates at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in 2001, while his 2004 album Du plaisir went straight to the number one spot on the French album charts.
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