Jacques Higelin

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Jacques Higelin bigraphy, stories - Film

Jacques Higelin : biography

18 October 1940 –

Jacques Joseph Victor Higelin (born 18 October 1940 in Brou-sur-Chantereine, Seine-et-Marne, France) is a French pop singer who rose to prominence in the early 1970s. Early in his career, many of Higelin’s songs were effectively blacklisted from French radio because of his controversial left wing political beliefs, and his association with socialist groups. He is also known the name Higelin.

Higelin’s entertainment career began at age 14, when he left school to work as a stunt double. While playing a number of small roles in various motion pictures, Higelin was taught to play the guitar by Henri Crolla, a French-Italian jazz guitarist and film composer. By the early sixties, Higelin was attending the René Simon drama school, where he won the François Perier award.

For two years starting in 1961, Higelin served in the French military in various countries. Upon returning to France, he resumed his cinematic career, but increasingly began to focus on music over film. By the end of the decade, he was also very active in the artistic underground in Paris, and he began to channel his music towards radical militancy. He began attracting popular attention through his live concerts, typically held in smaller venues, and released his first solo album, in 1971. By the middle of the 1970s, Higelin had become one of France’s most successful musicians, and he remains influential to this day.

Personal life

He is married to Kuelan Nguyen. Higelin has three children, all artists:

  • Arthur H, an elder son and a famous French singer (born to Higelin and Nicole Courtois)
  • Izïa Higelin, a daughter, a singer (born to Higelin and Aziza)
  • Kên Higelin, an actor (born to him and his wife Kuelan Nguyen)

Discography

Albums

Studio albums (non-charting)
  • 1971 – Jacques "Crabouif" Higelin
  • 1973 – Jacques Canetti présente Jacques Higelin
  • 1975 – Irradié
  • 1976 – Alertez les bébés
  • 1978 – No man’s land
  • 1979 – Champagne pour tout le monde and Caviar pour les autres… (aka Champagne et Caviar, double album)
  • 1980 – Inédits 1970
  • 1982 – Higelin 82
  • 1985 – (double album)
  • 1988 – Tombé du ciel
  • 1991 – Illicite
  • 1994 – Aux héros de la voltige
  • 1998 – Paradis Païen
  • 2006 – Amor Doloroso
  • 2010 – Coup De foudre
  • 2013 – Beau Repaire
Studio albums (charting)
Year Album Credited to Peak positions
FR BEL (Wa) SUI
1974 BBH 75 Benarroch, Boissezon, Higelin (BBH) 117
1998 Paradis païen Higelin 7
2006 Amor doloroso Jacques Higelin 7 83 97
2010 Coup de foudre Higelin 2 20 51
2013 Beau repaire Higelin 5 49
Live and compilation albums (non-charting)
  • 1981: Higelin à Mogador (triple album, 2 CDs)
  • 1983: Casino de Paris (1 album, 1 CD)
  • 1986: Higelin à Bercy (triple album, 2 CD)
  • 1990: Follow the live (double album, 1 CD)
  • 1992: Le Rex (double album, 1 CD)
Live and compilation albums (charting)
Year Album Credited to Peak positions
FR BEL (Wa) SUI
2000 Live 2000 Jacques Higelin 60
2005 Enchante Trenet Jacques Higelin 36 83
2005 Entre deux gares Jacques Higelin
2007 En plein Bataclan Jacques Higelin 151
2010 Paris / Zénith 18.10.2010 Higelin 200
Albums with Brigitte Fontaine
  • 1971: 12 chansons d’avant le déluge
  • 1975: 15 chansons d’avant le déluge, suite et fin…Includes 6 songs written by Boris Vian and sung by Higelin
Album with Areski Belkacem
  • 1969: Higelin et Areski

Guest appearances