Jacques Dutronc facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jacques Dutronc
Dutronc in Lorient, France in January 2010
Background information
Born	(1943-04-28) 28 April 1943 (age 82) Paris, France
Genres	French pop French rock chanson yé-yé garage rock psychedelic rock
Occupation(s)	singer-songwriter actor
Instruments	Guitar vocals
Years active	1961–present
Labels	Disques Vogue Columbia Records
Associated acts	El Toro et les Cyclones

Jacques Dutronc (born 28 April 1943) is a famous French singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He is known for many hit songs like "Il est cinq heures, Paris s'éveille", "Le Responsable", and "Les Cactus".

Jacques Dutronc started his music journey playing guitar in a rock band called El Toro et les Cyclones. In the 1960s, he wrote popular songs for singer Françoise Hardy. Later, he became a very successful solo artist. His music mixes traditional French pop and French rock with styles like psychedelic and garage rock.

He was also a key part of the yéyé music movement in France. He often worked with songwriter Jacques Lanzmann. Many people consider Dutronc one of the most popular performers in French-speaking countries.

Later, Jacques Dutronc also became a successful film actor, starting in 1973. He won a major award, the César Award for Best Actor, for his main role in the movie Van Gogh (1991). He married Françoise Hardy in 1981. Their son, Thomas Dutronc, born in 1973, is also a guitarist.

Early Life and Education

Jacques Dutronc was born on April 28, 1943, in Paris, France. His parents were Pierre and Madeleine Dutronc. His father worked as a manager for a coal distribution office.

Jacques went to Rocroy-Saint-Léon elementary school. He also studied at the École de la Rue Blanche, which is now a drama school. From 1959, he studied graphic design at the École Professionnelle de Dessin Industriel.

Music Career Highlights

Starting in the 1960s

Dutronc performing on Dutch TV in 1966

In 1960, Jacques Dutronc formed a band where he played guitar. His school friend Hadi Kalafate played bass. They were signed by Disques Vogue in 1961 and named El Toro et les Cyclones. The band released two singles before Dutronc had to do military service.

After leaving the army in 1963, Dutronc played guitar for Eddy Mitchell's band for a short time. He also got a job at Vogue as an assistant. In this role, he helped write songs for other artists, including Françoise Hardy.

Jacques Wolfsohn, a director at Vogue, asked Dutronc to work with Jacques Lanzmann. They were asked to create songs for a singer named Benjamin. Benjamin released a song called "Et moi, et moi, et moi". Wolfsohn was not happy with Benjamin's version. He then asked Dutronc to record his own version. This song became a huge hit, reaching number 2 in the French charts in September 1966.

Dutronc's arrival in French music was very important. Music experts say he brought a new, fresh rock sound to France. He used the sounds of the French language in a creative way.

His first album, Jacques Dutronc, came out in late 1966. It sold over a million copies! It also won a special award called the Grand Prix du Disque. Another single, "Les play boys", was number one for six weeks. It sold 600,000 copies.

Jacques Dutronc was one of the most successful French music stars in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During this time, he released seven hit albums and more than 20 singles. Two more songs, "J'aime les filles" (1967) and "Il est cinq heures, Paris s'éveille" (1968), also reached number one.

Music in the 1970s

Dutronc performing in Annecy in 1971. Bassist Noël Mirol is also pictured.

Most of Dutronc's songs until 1975 were written with Jacques Lanzmann. Lanzmann's wife, Anne Ségalen, also helped write some songs. Dutronc also wrote three songs with comic-book writer Fred.

In 1973, Dutronc's song "Et moi, et moi, et moi" was adapted into English. It became a UK hit called "Alright Alright Alright" for the group Mungo Jerry.

Later Albums

In 1980, Dutronc started working on a new album called Guerre et pets. He worked with Jacques Lanzmann and Serge Gainsbourg. The album had two songs by Lanzmann-Dutronc and many by Dutronc and Gainsbourg.

His 1982 album, C'est pas du bronze, was written with Anne Ségalen. In 1987, he released C.Q.F.Dutronc. He wrote most of the songs himself for this album.

In 1995, Dutronc released a new studio album called Brèves rencontres. Work on it was slow, but it was finally released. In 2003, he reunited with Jacques Lanzmann for the album Madame l'existence. Critics praised this album.

In November 2022, Jacques Dutronc released an album called Dutronc and Dutronc with his son, Thomas. They rearranged 13 of Jacques's early songs and both sing on the album.

Acting Career

In 1973, Jacques Dutronc started his second career as an actor. His first film was Antoine et Sébastien. His second film, That Most Important Thing: Love, was very popular in France.

After that, Dutronc focused a lot on acting. He appeared in films by famous directors like Jean-Luc Godard and Claude Lelouch. In 1977, he was nominated for a César Award for best supporting actor for his role in Mado.

Winning a César Award

In 1992, Dutronc won the César Award for Best Actor. This was for his main role in Maurice Pialat's movie Van Gogh. Critics praised his acting, saying he truly showed the artist's feelings.

During the 1990s, Dutronc continued acting. He was nominated for another César Award in 1999 for his role in Place Vendôme.

21st Century Films

In 2000, Dutronc starred in Claude Chabrol's film Merci pour le chocolat. He won the Best Actor prize at the 2001 Marrakech International Film Festival for his role in C'est la vie. In 2002, he appeared in Summer Things.

In 2005, Jacques Dutronc received an Honorary César award for his long career. He has continued to appear in films since then. His 41st film, Les Francis, was released in 2014.

Live Performances

In November 1992, Dutronc performed three comeback concerts at the Casino de Paris. Parts of these concerts were released as a film and a live album, Dutronc au Casino.

On stage in Lorient, 2010

In 2010, Dutronc went on tour for the first time in 17 years. Recordings from this tour were released as a live album and DVD called Et vous, et vous, et vous.

In November 2014, Dutronc performed a series of concerts with Eddy Mitchell and Johnny Hallyday. They called themselves "Les vieilles canailles" ("The Old Gits").

Influence and Legacy

Jacques Dutronc is very important in French music history. An article in a French magazine in 1979 said he was so connected to the 1960s that you couldn't talk about that time without mentioning him.

In 1991, his song "Il est cinq heures, Paris s'éveille" was voted the best French-language single ever. This was in a poll of music critics. It even beat a famous song by Jacques Brel.

Many artists have covered Dutronc's songs, including Vanessa Paradis, Mungo Jerry, and Serge Gainsbourg. He is also mentioned in songs by other artists.

In 2015, a tribute album was released. It featured various artists singing Jacques Dutronc's songs. The album was called Joyeux anniversaire M'sieur Dutronc and was popular in France and Belgium.

Personal Life

Dutronc started a relationship with singer Françoise Hardy in 1967. Their son, Thomas Dutronc, was born in 1973. Thomas later became a successful jazz and pop musician. Jacques and Françoise got married in 1981. They separated in 1988 but remained married. Françoise Hardy passed away in 2024.

Jacques Dutronc currently lives in Corsica, near the town of Monticello.

Discography

Studio Albums

Other Notable Singles

Live Albums

Selected Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Jacques Dutronc para niños