
Sacha Distel
Biography
Alexandre "Sacha" Distel (29 January 1933 – 22 July 2004) was a French singer, guitarist, songwriter and actor who had hits with a cover version of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" in 1970, which reached No 10 in the UK Charts, "Scoubidou", and "The Good Life". He was made Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur in 1997. He had also scored a hit as a songwriter when Tony Bennett recorded Sacha's song for The Good Life in 1963. It peaked at #18 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and Top 10 on the Easy Listening chart.
Distel was the son of Russian-French emigre Léonide Distel who was born in Odessa (Russian Empire) and French-Jewish pianist Andrée Ventura (1902–1965), born in Constantinople. His uncle was bandleader Ray Ventura. After Ventura settled in Paris with his orchestra Les Collégiens, Distel gave up piano and switched to guitar.
During his career, Distel worked with Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Gourley, Lionel Hampton, Slide Hampton, Bobby Jaspar, Barney Kessel, John Lewis, Pierre Michelot, Bernard Peiffer, Henri Renaud, Fats Sadi, Art Simmons, Martial Solal, René Urtreger, and Barney Wilen.
As well as his musical career he also did some acting, primarily on French television. He had a cameo appearance in the 1960 film Zazie dans le Métro. He appeared in "Fallen Angels" by Noel Coward on British television in 1974.
Distel was involved with actress Brigitte Bardot in 1958, having invited her to his birthday party in Saint-Tropez. The relationship ended in 1959. He married championship Olympic skier Francine Bréaud in 1963. Distel publicly stated that he remained faithful to his wife: "Anything I want in a woman I can get at home."
Distel died of cancer at the age of 71 on 22 July 2004 at his mother in law's home in Rayol-Canadel, near Saint-Tropez, France.
Source: Article "Sacha Distel" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Acting (19 movies)

Drôle de Noël pour Jérémy
1995

We Will Go to Deauville
1962

Without Apparent Motive
1971

A Song for Eurotrash
1998

The Delinquents
1960

L'Âge d'or de la pub
2023

Elis & Tom: It Had to be You
2023

Femmes de Paris
1953

Numéro un - Demis Roussos
2020

La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
2022

The Real Bargain
1965

Sheila, toutes ces vies-là
2022

Spécial Bardot
1968

Sing, aber spiel nicht mit mir
1963

How to Make a French Dish
1964

The Crook
1970

Zazie dans le Métro
1960

Fallen Angels
1974

Happy End!
1964
| Title | Year | Job | 
|---|---|---|
| The Seven Deadly Sins | 1962 | Original Music Composer |