Michel Sardou

Michel Sardou is a legendary and often controversial French singer, songwriter, and actor who has scored 14 No. 1 albums in France and has sold more than 90 million records worldwide. ∙ The son of entertainers, Sardou got his big break in 1965 with an audition for Barclay Records, which released the 18-year-old’s debut single, “Le madras.” ∙ He had his first major hit with 1967’s folky “Les Ricains,” which created controversy (and was denounced by French president Charles de Gaulle) due to its pro-US military sentiments. ∙ La maladie d’amour, his 1973 LP that featured the hit ballad of the same name, was his first album to top the French charts. ∙ His hugely popular 1976 release, La vieille, added to his reputation for controversy, marrying mainstream pop to such topics as corporal punishment and colonialism. ∙ Sardou is the winner of four Victoires de la Musique awards, including Male Artist of the Year in 1991.