Alain Chamfort

Alain Le Govic entered the world in Paris during 1949 and later built a lengthy career in French pop under the name Alain Chamfort. Early on he gained experience by playing with the jazz outfit the Dreamers and the rock band Murator, experiences that preceded his move into solo work. Claude François took him under his wing, leading Chamfort to join the Fleche label in 1971, adopt his new surname, and accumulate several domestic hits. The most substantial breakthrough arrived only after he ended the association with his mentor because of “creative differences” and began a collaboration with Serge Gainsbourg, who supplied the 1979 million-selling single “Manureva.” Their work together extended through the 1980s; during the same period Chamfort also produced material for Lio and À Cause des Garçons, yet he struggled to match the younger artists who dominated the 1990s. A return to prominence followed in the next decade, marked by the 2003 album Le Plaisir, a 2010 tribute to Yves Saint-Laurent, and the 2012 alternative hits collection Elles & Lui.