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Daniel Balavoine

Daniel Balavoine

Acting

Biography

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.

Known For

Champs-Elysées
6.8

No description available.

Champs-Elysées

1982
Midi Première
9.0

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.

Midi Première

1975
Sacrée soirée
5.7

No description available.

Sacrée soirée

1987
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
6.0

A talk show presented by Michel Drucker

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

1975
Numéro un
7.5

A French variety show.

Numéro un

1975
Le Grand Échiquier
8.0

Le Grand Échiquier is a French variety television program created and presented by Jacques Chancel. It aired at 8:30 pm on the first channel of the ORTF from January 12, 1972 to July 12, 1972, then on the second color channel of the ORTF from September 1972 to December 1974, and finally on Antenne 2 from January 1975 to December 21, 1989. The program returned to France 2 on December 20, 2018 and is hosted by Anne-Sophie Lapix.

Le Grand Échiquier

1972
Fan School
7.2

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.

Fan School

1977
Victoires de la musique
3.3

No description available.

Victoires de la musique

1985
Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
6.6

No description available.

Il était une fois Champs-Élysées

2022
La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
7.2

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.

La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président

2022
Les Enfants de la Pop 80's
N/A

No description available.

Les Enfants de la Pop 80's

2012
Je m'présente, je m'appelle Daniel
8.3

No description available.

Je m'présente, je m'appelle Daniel

2015
Alors... Heureux ?
7.3

Three friends navigate the ups and downs of love, relationships, and adulthood, each facing their own romantic challenges. One struggles with commitment, another finds himself caught in a web of misunderstandings, and the third embarks on a series of flirtations that lead to comedic complications. As their lives intersect, their friendships are tested through humorous and often absurd situations. Through a mix of heartwarming and chaotic moments, they each attempt to find happiness while dealing with the unpredictability of love and life.

Alors... Heureux ?

1980
Daniel Balavoine 35 ans déjà - sa vie, sa bataille
9.0

No description available.

Daniel Balavoine 35 ans déjà - sa vie, sa bataille

2021
Starmania
6.0

No description available.

Starmania

1979
Une journée avec Balavoine
N/A

No description available.

Une journée avec Balavoine

2024
Qu'est-ce qui fait craquer les filles...
5.6

The owner of a casino and the owner of a luxury hotel in Deauville are eternal rivals.

Qu'est-ce qui fait craquer les filles...

1982
Starmania 78 - le best of
6.0

Live concert of the french musical with original cast.

Starmania 78 - le best of

1978
Les derniers jours d'une icône : Daniel Balavoine
N/A

In 1986, during the Paris-Dakar rally, singer Daniel Balavoine, who was leading a humanitarian operation, was killed in a helicopter crash alongside Thierry Sabine. Nicolas Mathieu, his assistant, Léo Missir, his artistic director, HSH Albert of Monaco, and Charles Belvèze discuss the artist's career and his political and humanitarian commitments. Pierre Fauque and Anne Amado retrace the last moments of his life, from his arrival in Tamanrasset on January 6 to the day of his death in the desert, in the midst of a storm.

Les derniers jours d'une icône : Daniel Balavoine

2006
Daniel Balavoine : 40 ans déjà
8.0

Through Daniel Balavoine's greatest songs, which have become cult classics, this documentary traces the dazzling career of a free-spirited singer, driven by an urgent need to speak out, denounce injustice, and love, whose lyrics continue to touch several generations. Rare archives, testimonials from those who knew him, expert analysis and insights from today's musicians highlight the enduring modernity of his work and examine the legacy he left to French music.

Daniel Balavoine : 40 ans déjà

2026