Born in Paris in 1933, Sacha Distel was the son of an engineer and a concert-trained pianist, who – fortunately for the young man's future – happened to be the sister of Ray Ventura (a famous French music-hall star between the wars). Sacha's uncle took him under his wing at an early age, and it was thanks to uncle Ray that the budding musician ended up honing his guitar skills under the watchful eye of Henri Salvador. Perhaps the greatest musical turning-point in young Sacha's early career, however, was when he discovered the wonderful world of jazz, blowing his mind at a Dizzy Gillespie concert in 1948.

Sacha went on to make his name as a guitarist in the 50s, winning a number of amateur awards. But the young musician harboured a secret dream to step centre-stage and shine as a singer. That dream finally came true in 1958 when, dressed in one of the dapper suits that would become his signature look, Monsieur Distel recorded his first hit single Scoubidou. The song went on to become a veritable teen anthem in France and Sacha's new celebrity status was confirmed when he began a much-publicised love affair with the undisputed screen goddess of the day, Brigitte Bardot.

Sacha went on to score a string of other hits. Meanwhile, French television directors woke up to the potential of this elegant young dandy with the dark good looks. Sacha soon found himself in demand as a presenter and, over the next decade, he became a household name as the host of the Sacha Show (a music programme featuring established stars and rising new talents). Meanwhile, Monsieur Distel was busy launching his own assault on the charts, scoring major hits with Scandale dans la famille, Monsieur Cannibale and La Belle vie (a 1964 classic that would be covered by legendary American crooners Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett).

The 70s saw France's playboy crooner making a name for himself on the international scene where he played up his charms as the ultimate "French lover." Sacha became particularly popular across the Channel, where his elegant suits and sexy French accent drove female fans wild. In 1971 Sacha even rocketed to the coveted no.1 spot in the British charts with Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (which he later recorded in French as Toute la pluie tombe sur moi).

Sacha went on to prove a hit on the live circuit, too, performing at many of London's most prestigious venues such as the London Palladium and the Prince of Wales Theatre. Indeed, he became so popular with her Majesty's subjects that he ended up hosting variety shows on Saturday night TV. Meanwhile, back home in France, Sacha maintained his presence in the charts with a new series of hits including Accroche un ruban, Le bateau blanc and his famous duet with Brigitte Bardot, Le soleil de ma vie (a French adaptation of Stevie Wonder's You Are the Sunshine of My Life).

Sacha's reign as the white-suited, dandy crooner came to an end in the early 80s when he faded from the forefront of the music scene (but continued to perform at celebrity galas across France). In 1993 Sacha made a major comeback, however, forming his own big band, Les Super Collégiens, and recording new versions of his uncle, Ray Ventura's greatest hits, alongside a number of veteran French musicians such as Henri Salvador, Michel Legrand and Stéphane Grappelli. And hundreds of fans flocked to see him at the legendary Olympia music-hall in Paris.

Sacha went on to reinvent himself across the Channel, too. He enjoyed a new lease of life on the London stage in 2001 in the hit musical Chicago (in which he excelled as the smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn). Two years later, Sacha made an unexpected comeback on the recording front, marking his 70^th birthday with the release of a double album, En vers et contre vous and But Beautiful (which paid tribute to his two great passions in life: jazz and French 'chanson.')

Sacha Distel died in Rayol-Canadel-sur-mer, in the south of France, after many long years battling with illness. He was 71. The playboy charmer will be greatly missed by hundreds of thousands of fans around the world.

RFI Musique devoted two recent articles to Sacha Distel:

Paris, 2 June 2003 - Looks like it's double or nothing for Sacha Distel! Celebrating 50 years in the music business – and looking as tanned and dapper as ever at 70 - France's Monsieur Swing is currently back in the spotlight with a new double album. En vers et contre vous and But Beautiful pay tribute to Sacha's two great passions in life: jazz and "popular chanson."
The article

The West End, London, December 27 th 2000 - Forget Modjo, Flat Eric and Air! London is currently undergoing a massive cross-Channel invasion and the surprising thing is, this time round it's not fuelled by electro beats or the ever-trendy French Touch. No, this time France's invading musical army is being led by a suave 67-year-old crooner with perfect teeth, oodles of Gallic sex appeal and a year-round Mediterranean tan.
The article