Jacques Brel

Jacques Romain Georges Brel Frenchak bl April 1929 October 1978 was a Belgian singer, songwriter and actor who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted followinginitially in Belgium and France, later throughout the world. He was widely considered a master of the modern chanson. Although he recorded most of his songs in French and occasionally in Dutch, he became a major influence on Englishspeaking songwriters and performers such as David Bowie, Alex Harvey, Leonard Cohen, Marc Almond and Rod McKuen. English translations of his songs were recorded by many top performers in the United States, including Ray Charles, Judy Collins, John Denver, the Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, and Andy Williams.

Jacques Romain Georges Brel was born onApril 1929 in Schaerbeek, Brussels, to lisabeth Lisette ne 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 importexport firm, and later became codirector of a company that manufactured cardboard. Jacques and his older brother Pierre grew up in an austere household, and attended a Catholic primary school, cole SaintViateur, run by the SaintViateur Brothers. Remembered as a courteous and manageable pupil, Jacques did well in reading and writing, but struggled through arithmetic and Dutch The boys were also members of the local Cub Scouts troop, 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 toBoulevard BelgicaBelgicalaan in SintJansMolenbeek, and finally settled atRue JacquesManne in Anderlecht. Jacques was close to his mother, fascinated by her generosity and sense of humor, which he inherited.In September 1941, his parents enrolled Jacques at the Institut SaintLouis at rue du Marais near the Botanical Garden of Brussels. Although he did poorly in many subjects, he did well in history and French, and showed a clear talent for writing. He helped set up the schools drama club, taking on his first stage roles with great enthusiasm. He wrote short stories, poems, and essays. In 1944, at the age of 15, Jacques began playing the guitar. The following year he formed his own theatre group with friends and began writing plays. In the spring of 1947, during his final year at SaintLouis, Jacques wrote a short story titled Frdric for a school magazine Le Grand Feu The great fire. Published pseudonymously, the story is about a man on his death bed who encourages his grandson to run away while the rest of the family makes arr

Source: Wikipedia