Michel Charles Sardou, professionally known as Michel Sardou, is a French singer and occasional actor born on January 26, 1947. He is renowned for his love songs like "La maladie d'amour" and "Je vais t'aimer," as well as his songs addressing various social and political issues such as women's rights in Islamic countries, clerical celibacy, colonialism, and the death penalty.
Sardou's music often features themes that are sometimes controversial, including his support for the culture and foreign policies of the United States of America, which has led to accusations of racism. However, he has consistently claimed that his songs are meant to be sarcastic and not meant to be taken literally.
Throughout his career, Sardou has released 25 studio albums, 18 live albums, and has recorded over 350 songs in multiple languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, and English. He has sold over 100 million records, making him one of the most popular and lucrative artists in the Francophone world.
Born in Paris, Sardou's family had a rich history in the entertainment industry. His father, Fernand Sardou, was a singer and actor, while his mother, Jackie Sardou, was an actress. His paternal grandfather, Valentin Sardou, was a comedian in Marseille, and his grandmother was a singer.
Sardou left school at the age of 17 and began working as a waiter in his father's cabaret in Montmartre. He eventually met Michel Fugain and auditioned for Eddie Barclay, leading to his debut in the music industry with the song "Le madras" in 1965.
In 1967, Sardou's career gained significant momentum due to censorship, as the French government and state radio and television advised against broadcasting his song "Les Ricains" due to its anti-American sentiment. This notoriety laid the foundation for his future artistic style and allowed him to establish himself as a prominent figure in the French music scene.
