Serge Gainsbourg

SERGE GAINSBOURG d1991. French singer, songwriter, poet, composer, artist, actor and director. His extremely varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize. Following a short-lived love affair with Brigitte Bardot in 1967, he met and fell in love with English actress and singer Jane Birkin in 1968. The couple remained together until 1980. In 1969, he released "Je taime ... moi non plus". The song caused a sensation as it featured explicit lyrics and simulated sounds of female orgasm. Originally recorded with Brigitte Bardot, it was released with future girlfriend Birkin when Bardot backed out. Whilst he declared it the "ultimate love song," it was considered "too hot" and it was censored or banned from public broadcast in numerous countries. However, despite or perhaps because of all the controversy, it sold well and charted within the Top Ten in many European countries. In the 1980s, he became an erratic, highly provocative and controversial figure on French TV. In March 1984, he burned a 500 Franc bill on television to protest against heavy taxation. In his later life, his health deteriorated amid heavy drinking. He died aged 62 of a heart attack in 1991. Since his death, his music has reached legendary stature in France. His lyrical brilliance has left an extraordinary legacy and has firmly established him as one of the world's most influential popular musicians