Daniel Balavoine

Daniel Balavoine

Born: February 5, 1952
Died: January 14, 1986
in Alençon, Orne, France
Daniel Xavier-Marie Balavoine (5 February 1952 – 14 January 1986) was a French singer and songwriter. He was hugely popular in the French-speaking world in the early 1980s; he inspired many singers of his generation such as Jean-Jacques Goldman, Michel Berger, who was his closest friend, as well as the Japanese pop-rock group Crystal King. Balavoine was a part of the original cast of the rock opera Starmania in 1978, which was written by Berger.

Balavoine also took part in motorsports and French political life; he is known for a 1980 televised verbal confrontation with then-Socialist presidential candidate François Mitterrand. In the French music business, he earned his place with his powerful voice, wide range and recognisable lyrics, which were full of sadness and revolt. His songs dealt in themes of despair, pain and death, although hope was present as well.

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, while Daniel 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, covering Bob Dylan songs. In 1971, he moved to Paris but was disappointed and 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 his main competition for that position. 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.

In 1973, while he was working as a record dealer, The Vogue studios, which produced Présence, contacted him and offered to support him in a solo career. His first Vogue record "Viens vite" was released, but suffered poor sales. Balavoine then became a background vocalist alongside his brother, Guy. Soon afterwards, they starred in a pop musical La Révolution Française.

In 1974, Patrick Juvet, one of the biggest performers in France at the time, offered him the opportunity to be the opening act on his next tour. Balavoine wrote a song for him, "Couleurs d'Automne", which appeared on Juvet's following album.

While attending a show, Léo Missir, vice president of Barclay Records, was impressed by Balavoine's aura and signed him immediately to a 3-year deal which ended up lasting far longer. His first record, "De vous à elle en passant par moi", was released in 1975, but again resulted in disappointing sales. ...

Source: Article "Daniel Balavoine" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Movies for Daniel Balavoine...

Title: Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 21, 2022
Type: TV
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La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
Title: La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 7, 2022
Type: Movie
In May 1974, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing became President of the Republic and wanted to bring about a new era of modernity. One of his first decisions was to break up the ORTF with the creation of three new television channels: TF1, Antenne 2 and FR3. Three new public channels but autonomous and competing. It is a race for the audience which is engaged then, and from now on the channels will make the war! This competition will give birth to a real golden age for television programs, with variety shows in the forefront. The stars of the song are going to invade the living rooms of the French for their biggest pleasure. This unedited documentary tells the story of the metamorphosis of this television of the early 1970s, between freedom of tone, scandals, political intrigues and programs that have become mythical.
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Daniel Balavoine 35 ans déjà - sa vie, sa bataille
Title: Daniel Balavoine 35 ans déjà - sa vie, sa bataille
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: March 31, 2021
Type: Movie
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Je m'présente, je m'appelle Daniel
Title: Je m'présente, je m'appelle Daniel
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 23, 2015
Type: Movie
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Les Enfants de la Pop 80's
Title: Les Enfants de la Pop 80's
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: October 22, 2012
Type: Movie
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Daniel Balavoine - Le chanteur
Title: Daniel Balavoine - Le chanteur
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 6, 2010
Type: Movie
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Title: Victoires de la musique
Character: Self
Released: November 23, 1985
Type: TV
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Title: Victoires de la musique
Character: (Album of the Year)
Released: November 23, 1985
Type: TV
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Title: Victoires de la musique
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 23, 1985
Type: TV
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Qu'est-ce qui fait craquer les filles...
Title: Qu'est-ce qui fait craquer les filles...
Character: Le client en colère
Released: June 23, 1982
Type: Movie
The owner of a casino and the owner of a luxury hotel in Deauville are eternal rivals.
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Title: Champs-Elysées
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 16, 1982
Type: TV
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Title: Champs-Elysées
Character: Self
Released: January 16, 1982
Type: TV
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Alors... Heureux ?
Title: Alors... Heureux ?
Character: Le brancardier
Released: January 9, 1980
Type: Movie
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Starmania
Title: Starmania
Character: Johnny Rockfort
Released: January 1, 1979
Type: Movie
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Starmania 78 - le best of
Title: Starmania 78 - le best of
Character: Johnny Rockfort
Released: January 1, 1978
Type: Movie
Live concert of the french musical with original cast.
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Title: Fan School
Character: Self
Released: January 30, 1977
Type: TV
Host Jacques Martin invites different talented children from various backgrounds to showcase their beautiful voices. The participants entertain and wow the audience with their lovely performances.
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Title: Numéro un
Character: Self - Host
Released: April 5, 1975
Type: TV
A French variety show.
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Title: Numéro un
Character: Self
Released: April 5, 1975
Type: TV
A French variety show.
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Title: Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1975
Type: TV
A talk show presented by Michel Drucker
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Title: Midi Première
Character: Self
Released: January 6, 1975
Type: TV
Midi Première is a French variety show presented by Danièle Gilbert, directed by Jacques Pierre and broadcast from January 6, 1975 until January 1, 1982 on TF1. The program was generally broadcast between 12:15 p.m. and 12:55 p.m., then giving way to the 1:00 p.m. TV news. However, the broadcast schedule could change, depending on the guests, and the setting where the recording of the program was shot. Certain performances by artists who have become cult like the one where Ringo jostles with a demonstrator in interpretation (1977), that of Dalida with the title There is always a song with the soundtrack that does not start, twice, at the right speed (1978), Claude François and his Clodettes, who, in the provinces, are unable to join "the set" in order to interpret his song, the latter being taken by the crowd of delirious fans (summer 1977) . The group Supertramp performed there with the title "Dreamer" on March 8, 1975.
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Title: Le Grand Échiquier
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1972
Type: TV