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{{short description|French singer and songwriter}}
{{short description|French singer and songwriter (1947–1992)}}
{{for|the Belgian Olympic hockey player|Michel Berger (field hockey)}}
{{for|the Belgian Olympic hockey player|Michel Berger (field hockey)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{ infobox musical artist
{{infobox person
| name = Michel Berger
| name = Michel Berger
| birth_name = Michel Jean Hamburger
| birth_name = Michel Jean Hamburger
| image = Michel Berger.jpg
| image = Michel Berger.jpg
| caption = Michel Berger in 1990
| caption = Berger in 1990
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date|1947|11|28|df=y}}
| background = solo_singer
⚫
| birth_place = [[Neuilly-sur-Seine]], France
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date|1947|11|28|df=y}}
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|1992|08|02|1947|11|28|df=y}}
⚫
| birth_place = [[Neuilly-sur-Seine]], France
⚫
| death_place = [[Ramatuelle]], France
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|1992|08|02|1947|11|28|df=y}}
| occupation = Composer and singer
⚫
| death_place = [[Ramatuelle]], France
| years_active = 1960s–1992
| occupation = Singer
| spouse = {{marriage|[[France Gall]]|22 June 1976}}
| children = 2, including [[Raphaël Hamburger]]
}}
}}


'''Michel Berger''' (born '''Michel Jean Hamburger'''; 28 November 1947 – 2 August 1992) was a French singer and songwriter. He was a figure of France's pop music scene for two decades as a singer and as a songwriter for such artists as [[Françoise Hardy]], [[Johnny Hallyday]], and his wife, [[France Gall]]. He died of a heart attack at the age of 44.
'''Michel Jean Hamburger''' (28 November 1947 – 2 August 1992), known professionally as '''Michel Berger''', was a French singer and songwriter. He was a leading figure of France's pop music scene for two decades as a singer; as a songwriter, he was active for such artists as his wife [[France Gall]], [[Françoise Hardy]] or [[Johnny Hallyday]]. He died of a heart attack at age 44.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Berger was born as '''Michel Jean Hamburger''' on 28 November 1947 in [[Neuilly-sur-Seine]], the son of Jewish parents, Dr. [[Jean Hamburger]] and [[Annette Haas]], a concert pianist of [[Jews in Switzerland|Swiss-Jewish]] origin.
Berger was born on 28 November 1947 in the Parisian suburb of [[Neuilly-sur-Seine]], the son of Jewish parents, Dr. [[Jean Hamburger]] and [[Annette Haas]], a concert pianist of [[Jews in Switzerland|Swiss-Jewish]] origin.


Berger first became known to the French public in the 1960s as singer of hit song ''Salut les copains'', after which he became record producer and songwriter for [[EMI]] and where he wrote amongst others ''Les Girafes'' for [[Bourvil]] in 1967. In the early 1970s, he moved to [[Warner Music]] where he produced the early albums of [[Véronique Sanson]], and ''Allah'' once again in 1989. In 1973, he was responsible for producing the album ''[[Message personnel (album)|Message personnel]]'', the [[Message personnel|title track]] of which relaunched [[Françoise Hardy]]'s career. He also produced the single ''Je suis moi'' for Hardy. Berger started writing for [[France Gall]] in 1974, produced all her albums from 1975 on, and married her on 22 June 1976.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
Berger first became known to the French public in the 1960s as singer of hit song ''Salut les copains'', after which he became record producer and songwriter for [[EMI]] and where he wrote amongst others ''Les Girafes'' for [[Bourvil]] in 1967. In the early 1970s, he moved to [[Warner Music]] where he produced the early albums of [[Véronique Sanson]], and ''Allah'' in 1989. In 1973, he was responsible for producing the album ''[[Message personnel (album)|Message personnel]]'', the [[Message personnel|title track]] of which relaunched [[Françoise Hardy]]'s career. He also produced the single ''Je suis moi'' for Hardy. Berger started writing for [[France Gall]] in 1974, produced all her albums from 1975 on, and married her on 22 June 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-08 |title=France Gall, le destin d'une muse française en dix dates |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/musique/2018/01/08/03006-20180108ARTFIG00195-france-gall-le-destin-d-une-muse-francaise-en-dix-dates.php |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr}}</ref>


In 1978, he composed the [[Musical theater|musical]]: ''[[Starmania (musical)|Starmania]]'', with lyrics by [[Luc Plamondon]]. The musical starred Gall, [[Claude Dubois]], [[Daniel Balavoine]], [[Diane Dufresne]], [[Nanette Workman]], [[Éric Estève]] and [[Fabienne Thibeault]]. It was a big success in France in the 1980s and 1990s. An English version, entitled ''[[Tycoon (musical)|Tycoon]]'', was released in 1991 with lyrics by [[Tim Rice]], but it did not achieve the success the original version had in France.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
In 1978, he composed the [[Musical theater|musical]]: ''[[Starmania (musical)|Starmania]]'', with lyrics by [[Luc Plamondon]]. The musical starred Gall, [[Claude Dubois]], [[Daniel Balavoine]], [[Diane Dufresne]], [[Nanette Workman]], [[Éric Estève]] and [[Fabienne Thibeault]]. It was a big success in France in the 1980s and 1990s. An English version, entitled ''[[Tycoon (musical)|Tycoon]]'', was released in 1991 with lyrics by [[Tim Rice]], but it did not achieve the success the original version had in France.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}


Unfortunately, the two musicals Berger worked on immediately after ''[[Starmania (musical)|Starmania]]'' did not fare well. In 1980, Berger partnered with producer [[Jérôme Savary]] and lyricist [[Luc Plamondon]] to produce the musical ''La Légende de Jimmy'', inspired by the life of [[James Dean]]. However, this bombed. Berger's next musical project, ''[[:fr:Dreams in Stone|Dreams in Stone]]'', was conceived as an American musical, co-arranged with Michel Bernholc, and recorded in the United States, with lead vocals by singers [[Rosanne Cash]], [[Bill Champlin]], [[Lynn Carey]], [[Jennifer Warnes]], and [[Bill Withers]] among others.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/Michel-Berger-Dreams-In-Stone/release/1983025</ref> Though the show itself never saw the light of day, the album was nevertheless released in 1982. The album was a complete flop, and is not generally known outside of a few fansites.
Unfortunately, the two musicals Berger worked on immediately after ''[[Starmania (musical)|Starmania]]'' did not fare well. In 1980, Berger partnered with producer [[Jérôme Savary]] and lyricist [[Luc Plamondon]] to produce the musical ''La Légende de Jimmy'', inspired by the life of [[James Dean]]. However, this bombed. Berger's next musical project, ''[[:fr:Dreams in Stone|Dreams in Stone]]'', was conceived as an American musical, co-arranged with Michel Bernholc, and recorded in the United States, with lead vocals by singers [[Rosanne Cash]], [[Bill Champlin]], [[Lynn Carey]], [[Jennifer Warnes]], and [[Bill Withers]] among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Michel-Berger-Dreams-In-Stone/release/1983025|title=Michel Berger – Dreams in Stone (1982, Allied Pressing, Vinyl)|website=[[Discogs]] |year=1982 }}</ref> Though the show itself never saw the light of day, the album was nevertheless released in 1982. The album was a complete flop, and is not generally known outside of a few fansites.


Berger also scored several film projects over the years, which included ''Mektoub'', a 1970 film by Algerian Director [[Ali Ghalem]], [[Robert Benayoun]]'s ''[[Sérieux comme le plaisir]]'' in 1975, [[Jean-Paul Rappeneau]]'s ''[[Tout feu, tout flamme]]'' in 1982 and ''[[Rive droite, rive gauche]]'' the 1984 film by [[Philippe Labro]]. He was known for his [[Orangina]] advertisement [[jingle]].{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
Berger also scored several film projects over the years, which included ''Mektoub'', a 1970 film by Algerian Director [[Ali Ghalem]], [[Robert Benayoun]]'s ''[[Sérieux comme le plaisir]]'' in 1975, [[Jean-Paul Rappeneau]]'s ''[[Tout feu, tout flamme]]'' in 1982 and ''[[Rive droite, rive gauche]]'' the 1984 film by [[Philippe Labro]]. He also wrote an [[Orangina]] advertisement [[jingle]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Canadians join the ranks of pop art legends |url=https://www.newswire.ca/content/newswire-ca/ca/en/news-releases.detail.html/null.htm |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en}}</ref>


Berger was one of a handful of French artists who participated readily and actively in humanitarian acts: in 1985, he worked exclusively for ''Action Écoles'' alongside Gall, [[Richard Berry (actor)|Richard Berry]] and [[Daniel Balavoine]], then later for [[Ethiopia]] with [[Renaud]] (''Chanteurs Sans Frontières'') and for [[Restaurants du Cœur|Les Restos du cœur]] with comedian [[Coluche]].
Berger was one of a handful of French artists who participated readily and actively in humanitarian acts: in 1985, he worked exclusively for ''Action Écoles'' alongside Gall, [[Richard Berry (actor)|Richard Berry]] and [[Daniel Balavoine]], then later for [[Ethiopia]] with [[Renaud]] (''Chanteurs Sans Frontières'') and for [[Restaurants du Cœur|Les Restos du cœur]] with comedian [[Coluche]].


==Death==
==Death==
On 2 August 1992, weeks after the release of his first album of duets with France Gall, and six months after the death of his father, Berger suffered a fatal heart attack after a tennis match at [[Ramatuelle]].
On 2 August 1992, weeks after the release of his first album of duets with France Gall and six months after the death of his father, Berger suffered a fatal heart attack after a tennis match at [[Ramatuelle]] in [[Southern France]].


His death came as a shock to many as he had been one of the most popular French singer-songwriters of the 1970s and 1980s. Moreover, unlike many pop stars, he came across as a nice and simple man, more interested in music and family life than in [[rock & roll]] excesses. Indeed, his marriage to Gall was remarkably stable.
His death came as a shock to many as he had been one of the most popular French singer-songwriters of the 1970s and 1980s. He was more interested in music and family life than in [[rock and roll]] excesses and his marriage to Gall was stable.


Berger was buried in Paris, in the [[Montmartre]] cemetery. His daughter Pauline, who died of [[cystic fibrosis]] in 1997 aged only 19, is buried close by. He was also the father of French music supervisor, [[Raphael Hamburger]].
Berger was buried in Paris, in the [[Montmartre]] cemetery. His daughter Pauline, who died of [[cystic fibrosis]] in 1997 aged only 19, is buried close by. He was also the father of French music supervisor, [[Raphaël Hamburger]].


==Tribute==
==Tribute==
On 28 November 2019, [[Google]] celebrated his 72nd birthday with a [[Google Doodle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/doodles/michel-bergers-72nd-birthday|title=Michel Berger's 72nd Birthday|website=Google|date=28 November 2019}}</ref>
On 28 November 2019, [[Google]] celebrated his 72nd birthday with a [[Google Doodle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doodles.google/doodle/michel-bergers-72nd-birthday/|title=Michel Berger's 72nd Birthday|website=Google|date=28 November 2019}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
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* 1976: ''[[Mon piano danse]]''
* 1976: ''[[Mon piano danse]]''
* 1980: ''[[Beauséjour (Michel Berger album)|Beauséjour]]''
* 1980: ''[[Beauséjour (Michel Berger album)|Beauséjour]]''
* 1981: ''[[Beaurivage]]''
* 1981: ''[[Beaurivage (album)|Beaurivage]]''
* 1981: ''Tout feu tout flamme'' <small>(instrumental movie soundtrack)</small>
* 1981: ''Tout feu tout flamme'' <small>(instrumental movie soundtrack)</small>
* 1982: ''Dreams in Stone'' (with [[Bill Withers]] on "Apple Pie"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrMiiskeTqU]); background vocals Denise DeCaro on "Innocent Eyes" <small>(instrumental)</small>
* 1982: ''Dreams in Stone''
** With [[Bill Withers]] on "Apple Pie" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrMiiskeTqU]); background vocals Denise DeCaro on "Innocent Eyes" <small>(instrumental)</small>
* 1983: ''[[Voyou]]''
* 1983: ''[[Voyou]]''
* 1984: ''Rive droite - Rive gauche'' <small>(instrumental movie soundtrack)</small>
* 1984: ''Rive droite - Rive gauche'' <small>(instrumental movie soundtrack)</small>
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* "La groupie du pianiste"
* "La groupie du pianiste"
* "Diego, libre dans sa tête"
* "Diego, libre dans sa tête"
* "Chanter pour ceux qui sont loin de chez eux"
* "[[Chanter pour ceux qui sont loin de chez eux]]"


;Selective (charted singles with [[France Gall]])
;Selective (charted singles with [[France Gall]])
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[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Neuilly-sur-Seine]]
[[Category:Musicians from Neuilly-sur-Seine]]
[[Category:French male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century French Jews]]
⚫
[[Category:French Jews]]
[[Category:French people of Swiss-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:French people of Swiss-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Jewish songwriters]]
[[Category:Jewish songwriters]]
[[Category:Jewish singers]]
[[Category:Jewish singers]]
[[Category:French singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Burials at Montmartre Cemetery]]
[[Category:Burials at Montmartre Cemetery]]
[[Category:20th-century French singers]]
[[Category:20th-century French male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century male singers]]
[[Category:French male singer-songwriters]]
⚫
[[Category:French singer-songwriters]]

Latest revision as of 16:33, 26 October 2024

For the Belgian Olympic hockey player, see Michel Berger (field hockey).

Michel Berger
Berger in 1990
Born
Michel Jean Hamburger

(1947-11-28)28 November 1947
Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Died2 August 1992(1992-08-02) (aged 44)
Ramatuelle, France
Occupation(s)Composer and singer
Years active1960s–1992
Spouse
​
(m. 1976)​
Children2, including Raphaël Hamburger

Michel Jean Hamburger (28 November 1947 – 2 August 1992), known professionally as Michel Berger, was a French singer and songwriter. He was a leading figure of France's pop music scene for two decades as a singer; as a songwriter, he was active for such artists as his wife France Gall, Françoise Hardy or Johnny Hallyday. He died of a heart attack at age 44.

Biography

[edit]

Berger was born on 28 November 1947 in the Parisian suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine, the son of Jewish parents, Dr. Jean Hamburger and Annette Haas, a concert pianist of Swiss-Jewish origin.

Berger first became known to the French public in the 1960s as singer of hit song Salut les copains, after which he became record producer and songwriter for EMI and where he wrote amongst others Les Girafes for Bourvil in 1967. In the early 1970s, he moved to Warner Music where he produced the early albums of Véronique Sanson, and Allah in 1989. In 1973, he was responsible for producing the album Message personnel, the title track of which relaunched Françoise Hardy's career. He also produced the single Je suis moi for Hardy. Berger started writing for France Gall in 1974, produced all her albums from 1975 on, and married her on 22 June 1976.[1]

In 1978, he composed the musical: Starmania, with lyrics by Luc Plamondon. The musical starred Gall, Claude Dubois, Daniel Balavoine, Diane Dufresne, Nanette Workman, Éric Estève and Fabienne Thibeault. It was a big success in France in the 1980s and 1990s. An English version, entitled Tycoon, was released in 1991 with lyrics by Tim Rice, but it did not achieve the success the original version had in France.[citation needed]

Unfortunately, the two musicals Berger worked on immediately after Starmania did not fare well. In 1980, Berger partnered with producer Jérôme Savary and lyricist Luc Plamondon to produce the musical La Légende de Jimmy, inspired by the life of James Dean. However, this bombed. Berger's next musical project, Dreams in Stone, was conceived as an American musical, co-arranged with Michel Bernholc, and recorded in the United States, with lead vocals by singers Rosanne Cash, Bill Champlin, Lynn Carey, Jennifer Warnes, and Bill Withers among others.[2] Though the show itself never saw the light of day, the album was nevertheless released in 1982. The album was a complete flop, and is not generally known outside of a few fansites.

Berger also scored several film projects over the years, which included Mektoub, a 1970 film by Algerian Director Ali Ghalem, Robert Benayoun's Sérieux comme le plaisir in 1975, Jean-Paul Rappeneau's Tout feu, tout flamme in 1982 and Rive droite, rive gauche the 1984 film by Philippe Labro. He also wrote an Orangina advertisement jingle.[3]

Berger was one of a handful of French artists who participated readily and actively in humanitarian acts: in 1985, he worked exclusively for Action Écoles alongside Gall, Richard Berry and Daniel Balavoine, then later for Ethiopia with Renaud (Chanteurs Sans Frontières) and for Les Restos du cœur with comedian Coluche.

Death

[edit]

On 2 August 1992, weeks after the release of his first album of duets with France Gall and six months after the death of his father, Berger suffered a fatal heart attack after a tennis match at Ramatuelle in Southern France.

His death came as a shock to many as he had been one of the most popular French singer-songwriters of the 1970s and 1980s. He was more interested in music and family life than in rock and roll excesses and his marriage to Gall was stable.

Berger was buried in Paris, in the Montmartre cemetery. His daughter Pauline, who died of cystic fibrosis in 1997 aged only 19, is buried close by. He was also the father of French music supervisor, Raphaël Hamburger.

Tribute

[edit]

On 28 November 2019, Google celebrated his 72nd birthday with a Google Doodle.[4]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Studio albums
Live albums
  • 1980: Au Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
  • 1983: En public au Palais des Sports
  • 1986: Au Zénith
Compilation albums
  • 2014: Pour me comprendre - Best of

Singles

[edit]

For comprehensive list, see lescharts.com website[5]

Selective
Selective (charted singles with France Gall)
  • 1992: "Laissez passer les rêves" (FR #37)
  • 1992: "Superficiel et léger" (FR #42)

Booklets

[edit]
  • Plamondon & Berger : Full Text of the Rock Opera, La Légende de Jimmy, Éditions Le Cherche Midi, Paris, 1990, ISBN 2-86274-189-2
  • Plamondon & Berger : Full Text of the Rock Opera, Starmania, 1995 Éditions Le Cherche Midi, Paris, ISBN 2-86274-357-7

Filmography

[edit]
  • Berger, alongside fellow musicians Michel Fugain and Michel Sardou, appeared as extras (uncredited roles) in the 1966 René Clément film Paris brûle-t-il? (English title Is Paris Burning?). Berger played the role of "Chef des explosifs", whereas Fugain and Sardou appeared as student protestors.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "France Gall, le destin d'une muse française en dix dates". Le Figaro (in French). 8 January 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Michel Berger – Dreams in Stone (1982, Allied Pressing, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1982.
  3. ^ "Local Canadians join the ranks of pop art legends". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Michel Berger's 72nd Birthday". Google. 28 November 2019.
  5. ^ Steffen Hung. "Discographie Michel Berger". lescharts.com. Retrieved 23 August 2012.

Biographies

[edit]
  • Hugues Royer & Philippe Seguy: France Gall – Michel Berger, Deux destins pour une légende, Éditions du Rocher, 1994, ISBN 2-268-01873-3
  • Jean-François Brieu & Éric Didi: Michel Berger – Quelques mots d'amour, Éditions Jean-Claude Lattès, 1997, ISBN 2-7096-1798-6
  • Jacques Pessis: Michel Berger, Collection Les Lumières du Music-Hall – Éditions Vade Retro, 2001, ISBN 2-909828-80-8

Essays

[edit]
  • France Gall & Jean Brousse: Michel Berger – Si Le Bonheur Existe, 2002 Éditions Le Cherche Midi, Paris, ISBN 2-7491-0012-7
[edit]
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