Yves Simon

Born in Choiseul, France, in 1944, French singer-songwriter Yves Simon pursued parallel careers as an author and a recording artist. As a writer he issued nearly one volume annually beginning in 1971 and received formal recognition in both 1988 and 1991. On record he proved nearly as industrious, issuing roughly twenty LPs from 1967 onward, although his earliest two attracted little notice. Recognition arrived with the 1972 EP Les Gauloises Bleues, which led to prominent support slots for George Brassens, Maxime LeForestier, and Philippe Chatel. After withdrawing from the stage between 1977 and 2007 he continued to record, albeit at a reduced pace, and his well-received albums revealed a classic yet wide-ranging set of influences that extended from Dylan to Brassens.