Joe Dassin, photo by Jacques Bétant
Joe Dassin (1938-1980) was an American-French singer-songwriter and actor, born in New York and son of film director Jules Dassin. Both parents were of Ukrainian-Jewish heritage and born in the US. Dassin studied violin at the Julliard School in NY. After his father Jules fell into disfavor with communist-hunting US Senator Joseph McCarthy, the family moved to France and then to Greece where Jules directed “Never on Sunday” (1960) and “Topkapi” (1964) and then married Greek actress Melina Mercouri (1966).
Joe lived in Europe from 1950-57 going from school to school and then studied at the University of Michigan for a bachelor’s and master’s degree in anthropology. In 1964, he became the first French-language singer signed by an American record label (CBS). He acted in several of his father’s movies. During the 1970s his songs topped the charts in France and he sang in other languages as well. His first song in 1965 was “Bip-Bip.” Two of his most popular songs are featured below (“Les Champs Elysées” 1969 and “Si Tu n”Existais Pas” 1975). He died from a heart attack at age 41 while on vacation in Tahiti. Ironically, because of his father’s history, Joe’s songs became quite popular in Russia and its East European vassel states.
Joe Dassin Songs
Les Champs Elysées (The Champs Elysées)
Si Tu n'Existais Pas (If You Didn't Exist)
Joe Dassin (1938-1980) was an American-French singer-songwriter and actor, born in New York and son of film director Jules Dassin. Both parents were of Ukrainian-Jewish heritage and born in the US. Dassin studied violin at the Julliard School in NY. After his father Jules fell into disfavor with communist-hunting US Senator Joseph McCarthy, the family moved to France and then to Greece where Jules directed “Never on Sunday” (1960) and “Topkapi” (1964) and then married Greek actress Melina Mercouri (1966).
Joe lived in Europe from 1950-57 going from school to school and then studied at the University of Michigan for a bachelor’s and master’s degree in anthropology. In 1964, he became the first French-language singer signed by an American record label (CBS). He acted in several of his father’s movies. During the 1970s his songs topped the charts in France and he sang in other languages as well. His first song in 1965 was “Bip-Bip.” Two of his most popular songs are featured below (“Les Champs Elysées” 1969 and “Si Tu n”Existais Pas” 1975). He died from a heart attack at age 41 while on vacation in Tahiti. Ironically, because of his father’s history, Joe’s songs became quite popular in Russia and its East European vassel states.
Joe Dassin Songs
Les Champs Elysées (The Champs Elysées)
Si Tu n'Existais Pas (If You Didn't Exist)