Jacques Brel - Ne Me Quitte Pas - 1961 • TopPop

Today is the 40th anniversary of Jacques Brel&death, on 9 October, 1978. That’s why we publish today one of his best know songs ‘Ne Me Quitte Pas’. Considered by some as "Brel&ultimate classic", it was written after Brel&mistress "Zizou" (Suzanne Gabriello) threw him out of her life. &Me Quitte Pas&has been recorded by many international artists over the years. A well-known adaptation, with English lyrics by Rod McKuen, is "If You Go Away". Romain Georges Brel (8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer, songwriter, poet, actor and film director who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, later throughout the world. He is considered a master of the modern chanson. Although he recorded most of his songs in French and occasionally in Dutch, he became an influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers. English translations of his songs were recorded by many performers, including David Bowie, Scott Walker, Alex Harvey, Marc Almond, Rod McKuen, Ray Charles, Judy Collins, John Denver, the Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams. This exclusive video clip is part of the stunning performance Jacques Brel did on 21 May 1961 in the Kurhaus, Den Haag, The Netherlands, recorded and broadcast on June 10, 1961 by AVRO Television and directed by AVRO Managing Director Ger Lugtenburg himself. This video will be part of the Dutch book/DVD release...