Alain Bashung

Paris-born Alain Bashung began recording as a solo artist in 1966. Ten years would pass before he'd have any degree of success. In 1976, he began working with lyricist Boris Bergman and songwriter Andy Scott; after test runs on albums released in 1977 and 1979, the 1980 single "Gaby, Oh Gaby" became a monster hit. He endured a fallout with critics -- and consequently the public -- during the late '80s, only to roar back with 1991's Osez Josephine, a song cycle concerning one of the most famous women in French history. The biggest hit of Bashung's career, it earned him three Victoires de la Musique awards. ~ John Bush