Michel Berger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michel Berger
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Berger in 1990
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| Born |
Michel Jean Hamburger
28 November 1947 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
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| Died | 2 August 1992 (aged 44) Ramatuelle, France
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| Occupation | Composer and singer |
| Years active | 1960s–1992 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2, including Raphaël Hamburger |
Michel Berger (born Michel Jean Hamburger, 28 November 1947 – 2 August 1992) was a famous French singer and songwriter. He was a very important person in French pop music for about twenty years. He sang his own songs and also wrote many hit songs for other artists. These artists included his wife, France Gall, and other stars like Françoise Hardy and Johnny Hallyday. He sadly passed away from a heart attack when he was 44 years old.
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About Michel Berger
Michel Jean Hamburger was born on November 28, 1947, in a town near Paris called Neuilly-sur-Seine. His father was Dr. Jean Hamburger, and his mother was Annette Haas, a talented concert pianist.
Early Career and Success
Michel Berger first became known in France in the 1960s. He sang a popular song called Salut les copains. After that, he started working as a record producer and songwriter for a music company called EMI. A record producer helps artists make their music albums. He wrote songs for famous singers, including Les Girafes for Bourvil in 1967.
In the early 1970s, he moved to another music company, Warner Music. There, he helped produce the first albums for Véronique Sanson. In 1973, he produced an album called Message personnel for Françoise Hardy. The main song from this album, Message personnel, helped her career become popular again.
Working with France Gall
Michel Berger started writing songs for France Gall in 1974. He produced all her albums starting from 1975. They fell in love and got married on June 22, 1976.
Creating Musicals
In 1978, Michel Berger wrote the music for a very successful musical called Starmania. Luc Plamondon wrote the words for the songs. Many famous singers were in the musical, including France Gall, Daniel Balavoine, and Diane Dufresne. Starmania was a huge hit in France throughout the 1980s and 1990s. An English version was made later, but it was not as popular.
Michel also worked on other musicals, but they were not as successful as Starmania. He also wrote music for several movies, like Sérieux comme le plaisir and Tout feu, tout flamme. He even wrote a catchy advertisement song for Orangina drinks!
Helping Others
Michel Berger was one of the few French artists who actively helped people in need. In 1985, he worked with France Gall and others for a project called Action Écoles. He also helped raise money for Ethiopia with Renaud and for food banks called Les Restos du cœur with comedian Coluche.
Michel Berger's Passing
On August 2, 1992, Michel Berger passed away from a heart attack. This happened after he played a tennis match in Ramatuelle, a town in Southern France. His death was a big shock to many people. He was one of the most loved French singer-songwriters of the 1970s and 1980s. He focused on his music and his family. His marriage to France Gall was very strong.
Michel Berger was buried in Paris, in the Montmartre cemetery. His daughter Pauline, who passed away at a young age in 1997, is buried close by. He was also the father of Raphaël Hamburger, who works in music.
Tributes to Michel Berger
On November 28, 2019, Google honored Michel Berger on what would have been his 72nd birthday. They featured him with a special Google Doodle on their homepage.
Michel Berger's Music
Albums
- Studio albums
- 1973: Michel Berger (Le coeur brisé)
- 1974: Chansons pour une fan
- 1975: Que l'amour est bizarre
- 1976: Mon piano danse
- 1980: Beauséjour
- 1981: Beaurivage
- 1981: Tout feu tout flamme (music for a movie)
- 1982: Dreams in Stone
- 1983: Voyou
- 1984: Rive droite - Rive gauche (music for a movie)
- 1985: Différences
- 1990: Ça ne tient pas debout
- 1992: Double jeu (with France Gall)
- 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
Hit Songs (Singles)
- "Quelques mots d'amour"
- "Seras-tu là?"
- "Le paradis blanc"
- "La groupie du pianiste"
- "Diego, libre dans ta tête"
- "Chanter pour ceux qui sont loin de chez eux"
- Songs with France Gall that charted
- 1992: "Laissez passer les rêves" (reached #37 in France)
- 1992: "Superficiel et léger" (reached #42 in France)
