Alain Barrière

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Alain Barrière (French pronunciation: [alɛ̃ baʁjɛʁ]; born Alain Bellec; 18 November 1935 – 18 December 2019) was a French singer, who was active from the 1950s until his death and was known for participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 1963.

Early life

After growing up in a small town on the coast of

In 1963, Barrière's song "Elle était si jolie" ("She Was So Pretty") was chosen as the French representative in the eighth Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 23 March in London. "Elle était si jolie" finished fifth of 16 entries.^[2]

Success

"Elle était si jolie" turned out to be by far the biggest seller of Barrière's career to that point. He released his first album, Ma vie, in 1964 and the title-track became a hit. In 1965 he was offered, and accepted, a leading role in a heist thriller, Pas de panique, alongside Pierre Brasseur.^[3] This would be his only venture into acting, but his singing career reached its peak in the latter part of the decade with a string of hits making him one of France's biggest stars and a sell-out live attraction. His most famous success is the song "Mon Vieux".

1970s

Barrière had gained a reputation for being uncompromising and at times difficult to work with. In the early 1970s he left his record company to set up his own label. He kept his fanbase, which ensured his records and concerts continued to provide a good living, despite his being overlooked by sections of the French broadcast media. "Tu t'en vas", a 1975 duet with fellow Eurovision veteran

Barrière married in 1975, and he and his wife opened a nightclub-restaurant in a converted castle in Brittany. Although it proved a successful and popular venue, Barrière soon found himself facing severe tax problems as a result of dubious advice. In 1977 he took his family to the United States, where they remained for four years.^[1]

Later life

After returning to France, Barrière made several comeback attempts, to little avail. After another period spent overseas, this time in Quebec, the family were back in Brittany when Barrière's career was unexpectedly rejuvenated by the 1997 release of a CD containing remastered versions of his old hits, which proved to be a money-spinner. Shortly afterwards, Barrière released an album of new material, which also sold well.

He published an autobiography in 2006 and continued to release both retrospective and newly recorded albums.^[4]

Barrière died of cardiac arrest on 18 December 2019 at the age of 84.^[5]

Discography

Singles

• 1963: "Elle était si jolie"
• 1963: "Plus je t'entends"
• 1964: "Ma vie"
• 1968: "Emporte-moi"
• 1968: "Tout peut recommencer"
• 1969: "C'était aux premiers jours d'avril"
• 1969: "Viva ouagadougou"
• 1970: "À regarder la mer"
• 1971: "Si tu ne me revenais pas"
• 1971: "La Mer"
• 1972: "Elle"
• 1973: "Pour la dernière fois"
• 1974: "Le Bel amour"
• 1974: "Séduction 13"
• 1975: "Tu t'en vas" (with Noëlle Cordier)
• 1975: "Celtina"
• 1975: "Mon improbable amour"
• 1976: "Si tu te souviens"
• 1978: "Et tu fermes les yeux"
• 1978: "Amoco

References

External links

• Alain Barrière's website
• Discography and cover art at encyclopédisque.fr