Who was France Gall? Google Doodle pays tribute to French singer

Google has given its Doodle treatment to mark what would have been the 76th birthday of French singer France Gall.

Isabelle Geneviève Marie Anne Gall — as she was born — died aged 70 in 2018 after a long career that included hit singles and a victorious Eurovision performance.

Paris-based guest artist Mathilde Loubes illustrated the video Doodle which the search engine reserves to honour special lives.

The Doodle is being shown on Monday in the UK, France, Germany, and Austria as well as Lithuania and Greece.

Who was France Gall and why is she famous?

Gall was an aspiring musician growing up and signed with a publisher before her 16th birthday, releasing her first single, Ne Sois Pas Si Bête. This led to her competing in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, which she won for Luxembourg despite her nationality. Her song Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son was considered the first pop number to win the competition although Gall’s performance of it was somewhat criticised by those who knew her.

Having passed up film opportunities as well as seeing a Disney production of Alice in Wonderland come to nothing, Gall almost entirely focused on music.

She frequently collaborated with French icon Serge Gainsbourg in her teens to her early adulthood but transitioned into German-focused music alongside Werner Müller in the 1970s. During a difficult period professionally, she often found refuge in Senegal — a country she came to love and regularly stayed in.

Her career went through a renaissance under the guidance of Michel Berger, whom she started a successful collaboration with; first as a producer before the pair fell in love and married in 1976. They were together until Berger’s death in 1992 and their marriage was considered remarkably stable in the often high-maintenance world of music. Sadly, they had a daughter who died in 1997, having had cystic fibrosis.

Gall remained popular in France until her death although made fleeting public appearances after the deaths of her daughter and husband.

Mathilde Loubres, the Parisian artist behind the Doodle, said: “I was very proud to celebrate such an inspiring woman and talented artist, but it felt very special to me personally because I remember my aunt singing Résiste to herself, so France Gall’s music has always been very dear to my heart!

“France Gall’s career was so prolific but it made it all the more interesting for sure! I really admire her work and it felt like such an honour to be part of this tribute.”

What songs is France Gall famous for?

In total, 28 albums have been credited to Gall including compilations. She is credited for popularising the Yé-yé pop movement in the 1960s.

But her 1970s work is also fondly remembered alongside Berger. Her best-known work includes Évidemment (Evidently), La Déclaration D’amour (Declaration of Love), and Mon Fils Rira du Rock ‘n’ Roll (My Son Will Laugh At Rock’n’Roll).

Google said: “Somehow, she still made time to do philanthropic work. Over the years, she organised food drives, held fundraisers, and donated proceeds from some of her songs as well as doing work directly on the ground for causes she supported.”

For the Google Doodle, the song that played is Gall’s 1988 live rendition of Il Jouait Du Piano Debout (He Played the Piano Standing Up).