Les Frères Jacques

The Frères Jacques were both singular artists and emblematic of a certain kind of post-war realist, humorous and poetic chanson, bringing to the French stage a form of mimed song that was uniquely their own. In addition to their invariable stage attire: colorful leotards, white gloves and top hats, they left "hits" of their era such as "La Confiture", "La Queue du chat" and "Le Poinçonneur des Lilas " to Serge Gainsbourg, even before he made them a hit. After the popularity had faded, and before it was forgotten, the Frères Jacques died out one by one: Paul Soubeyran disappeared first in 2002, André Bellec followed in 2008, his brother Georges in 2012 and the last of the four, Paul Tourenne, died in 2016. With their deaths, the flamboyant spirit of Left Bank music-hall and song dies. Twice awarded the Grand Prix du disque by the Académie Charles-Cros, the Frères Jacques, active from 1945 to their farewell tour from 1979 to 1983, worked with Jacques Prévert, Joseph Kosma, Francis Blanche, Raymond Queneau, Francis Poulenc and Pierre Philippe, among others.

Please enable Javascript to view this page competely.