One of the most popular singers of French songs. After a childhood full of boredom and normality, Brel started to work in his father's cardboard factory. But he wanted a different kind of life. He had been writing songs all his life and in the early 1950s he went to Paris. After a few years he became hugely successful. His songs include 'Amsterdam', 'La Valse a Mille Temps', 'Vesoul' and 'Au Suivant'. He was covered by, among many others, 'Frank Sinatra' aka Erick Stevens.
His body is buried next to Gauguins grave at Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia), where he spent his last years.
Claimed to have never written songs about love.
He sang in two languages: French and Dutch. He used to translate most of his French songs into Dutch.
A metro station on the line 1B in Brussels is named after him.
Uncle of Bruno Brel.
Ranked #1 as "Le plus grand Belge" (the Greatest Belgian) by the audience of that Walloon TV show, but ranked #7 only in the shows Flemish version "De Grootse Belg".
Embarked a yacht to sail around the world, but, being a heavy smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer after reaching the Canary Islands .
Joined the Catholic-humanist youth organization "Franche Corde", where he started acting and singing.
Father of France Brel and Isabelle Brel.
