Sacha Distel
Alexandre "Sacha" Distel (29 January 1933 – 22 July 2004) was a French singer, guitarist, songwriter and actor who had hits with a cover version of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" in 1970, which reached No 10 in the UK Charts, "Scoubidou", and "The Good Life". He was made Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur in 1997. He had also scored a hit as a songwriter when Tony Bennett recorded Sacha's song for The Good Life in 1963. It peaked at #18 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and Top 10 on the Easy Listening chart.
Distel was the son of Russian-French emigre Léonide Distel who was born in Odessa (Russian Empire) and French-Jewish pianist Andrée Ventura (1902–1965), born in Constantinople. His uncle was bandleader Ray Ventura. After Ventura settled in Paris with his orchestra Les Collégiens, Distel gave up piano and switched to guitar.
During his career, Distel worked with Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Gourley, Lionel Hampton, Slide Hampton, Bobby Jaspar, Barney Kessel, John Lewis, Pierre Michelot, Bernard Peiffer, Henri Renaud, Fats Sadi, Art Simmons, Martial Solal, René Urtreger, and Barney Wilen.
As well as his musical career he also did some acting, primarily on French television. He had a cameo appearance in the 1960 film Zazie dans le Métro. He appeared in "Fallen Angels" by Noel Coward on British television in 1974.
Distel was involved with actress Brigitte Bardot in 1958, having invited her to his birthday party in Saint-Tropez. The relationship ended in 1959. He married championship Olympic skier Francine Bréaud in 1963. Distel publicly stated that he remained faithful to his wife: "Anything I want in a woman I can get at home."
Distel died of cancer at the age of 71 on 22 July 2004 at his mother in law's home in Rayol-Canadel, near Saint-Tropez, France.
Source: Article "Sacha Distel" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Photos
Movies (26)
Elis & Tom: It Had to be You
2023 · Self (archive footage)
L'Âge d'or de la pub
2023 · Self (archive footage)
Sheila, toutes ces vies-là
2022 · Self (archive footage)
La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
2022 · Self (archive footage)
A Night at the Opera
2020 · Self (archive footage)
Numéro un - Demis Roussos
2020 · Self
Brigitte Bardot : Divine B.B.
2004
A Song for Eurotrash
1998 · Self - Special Guest
Drôle de Noël pour Jérémy
1995 · Self
Fallen Angels
1974 · Maurice Duclos
Without Apparent Motive
1971 · Julien Sabirnou
Alice und Ellen
1971 · Self
The Crook
1970 · Self
Spécial Bardot
1968 · Self
The Real Bargain
1965 · Self (uncredited)
Show - Charme - Chansons
1965 · Self
Happy End!
1964
How to Make a French Dish
1964 · Roger
Sing, aber spiel nicht mit mir
1963 · Self
We Will Go to Deauville
1962 · Self
Pride
1962 · Music
The Seven Deadly Sins
1962 · Original Music Composer
Zazie dans le Métro
1960 · Cameo Appearance (uncredited)
The Delinquents
1960 · Bernard
Rêves de Neige
1960 · Songs
Femmes de Paris
1953 · Self (uncredited)
TV shows (49)
Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
2022 · Self (archive footage)
Star Academy
2001 · Self
Chanter la vie
2001 · Self
Vivement dimanche
1998 · Self
Fantasy World Cup
1998 · Self
Parkinson
1998 · Self
The Mrs Merton Show
1995 · Self
Absolutely Fabulous
1992 · Self
Frou-Frou
1992 · Self - Guest
Stars 90
1990 · Self
Téléthon
1987 · Self
Le monde est à vous
1987 · Self
Sacrée soirée
1987 · Self, Self (archive footage)
40° à l'ombre
1987 · Self
Matin Bonheur
1987 · Self
Surprise, Surprise
1984 · Self
La Chance aux chansons
1984 · Self
Wie wär’s heut’ mit Revue?
1983 · Self
Aujourd'hui la vie
1982 · Self
Champs-Elysées
1982 · Self
Three of a Kind
1981 · Self
Russell Harty
1980
Fan School
1977 · Self
30 millions d'amis
1976 · Self
Numéro un
1975 · Self, Self - Host
Système 2
1975 · Self
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
1975 · Self
Midi Première
1975 · Self
Musik ist Trumpf
1975 · Self
Hätten Sie heut’ Zeit für mich?
1972 · Self
Midi trente
1972 · Self
Le Grand Échiquier
1972 · Self
Anneliese Rothenberger gibt sich die Ehre
1971 · Self
Cadet Rousselle
1971 · Self
Samedi soir
1971 · Self
TV Intim
1969 · Self
Frost on Sunday
1968 · Self – Guest
Starparade
1968 · Self
Cilla
1968 · Self
Meine Melodie
1965 · Self
Dim Dam Dom
1965 · Self
Seize millions de jeunes
1964 · Self
Die Drehscheibe
1964 · Self
Lieben Sie Show ?
1962 · Self
Musik aus Studio B
1961 · Self
Treffpunkt Telebar
1961 · Self
Discorama
1959 · Self
The Liberace Show
1952
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948 · Self