Edith Piaf (Born Edith Gassion)
December 19, 1915 – October 10, 1963
Edith Piaf was a French singer who rose from poverty to become one of her country’s most popular performers of the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s. Because of her petite frame, she was called “The Little Sparrow” around the world, and has since become a cultural icon thanks to numerous recordings, biographies and at least one major motion picture about her life. After conquering France, Piaf began touring the rest of Europe and the United States in the years following World War Two. While in the U.S., she graced the stage of Carnegie Hall twice and The Ed SullivanShow eight times. Piaf was seriously injured in a car accident in 1951, the pain from which lead to her addiction to morphine and alcohol. She died of liver cancer on October 10, 1963 at the age of 47.
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who came to prominence in Europe during the 1950s. And although he wrote and sang exclusively in French, many of his songs have been covered in English by such notable performers as Ray Charles, David Bowie and Dusty Springfield. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. His career started modestly in the cabarets of Paris, but by the mid ’50s, his talent could not be denied, so he began touring Europe and beyond. He also made a name for himself in film. A longtime smoker, Brel was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1973 and died from it five years later at the age of 49.
Frankie Kennedy
September 30, 1955 – September 19, 1994
With Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh
Frankie Kennedy was a founding member of popular Irish traditional folk band, Altan with whom he played the flute. Formed with his wife, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, in the early ’80s, the band became widely popular during the ’90s, selling millions of albums worldwide and touring for adoring fans the world over. They even performed for President Bill Clinton at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day, 1994. In 1992, Frankie Kennedy discovered he had Ewing’s sarcoma, an aggressive cancer. He died of the disease at the age of 38.
Kyu Sakomoto was one of Japan’s most influential pop stars as well as a popular actor. Since he sang in Japanese, he was basically unknown to English speaking music fans, however, he did have an American hit with “Sukiyaki” in 1963. Released on Capitol Records, it became the first, and since, only Japanese sung song to hit #1 on the pop charts. It stayed there for three weeks. R&B group, A Taste Of Honey released an English cover of the song in 1981, while Latin pop star, Selena recorded a Spanish version that was released after her death. On August 12, 1985, Kyu Sakamoto was aboard the ill-fated Japan Airlines Flight 123 when it suffered mechanical troubles and crashed into the side of a mountain. He was one of 520 passengers who perished in what has been called the deadliest single-plane crash in history. Sakamoto was 43.
Suzanne Tamim was one of Lebanon’s most celebrated pop stars when she was found murdered in her Dubai apartment on July 28, 2008. The beauty queen got her professional start thanks to an appearance on a Lebanese talent program in 1996. She went on to record a few popular albums. Her lifeless body was found in her apartment, he throat having been slit. Two alleged assailants were subsequently arrested, tried and sentenced to death by hanging.
Papa Wendo (Born Antoine Kolosoy)
April 25, 1925 – July 28, 2008
“Papa” Wendo Kolosoywas a Congolese musician who successfully blended cha-cha, rumba, and tango, endearing him to world music fans around the globe. He was affectionately called the “Father of Congolese Music.” Kolosoy began singing when he was in his early teens working as a sailor along the Congo River – he used his talents to entertain the the other passangers. By the mid ’50s he was one of the most popular Congolese musicians throughout Africa and beyond. In 1965, Kolosoy began a long hiatus claiming his dislike at politicians using music and musicians to advance their agendas. Kolosoy returned to music in 1997 after a change in political power in the Congo. Papa Wendo passed away on July 28, 2008 at the age of 83.
Angel Tavira was a beloved Mexican violinist who lost his right hand to an exploding firecracker when he as a child. But he had been playing the saxophone, guitar, bass and violin, learning by ear. Even after the accident, Tavira continued on with the violin. He was also an acclaimed composer of son calentano, a traditional form of music from the state of Guerrero. When Tavira was 81, was cast as a farmer musician in the Felix Salgado Mendocino film, El Violin. A year later, he won the Best Actor award at Cannes even though he had never had any formal training. Angel Tavira died of kidney problems in 2008.
Ali Akbar Khan was a master of the Sarod who came to America from his native India in 1955 and along with Ravi Shankar, was instrumental in introducing Indian music to the western world. Throughout his career, Khan recorded 95 albums, was nominated for five Grammys, and scored music for many films. In 1967, he established the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, CA. Khan died of kidney failure at the age of 87.
Dalida (Born Iolanda Gigliotti)
January 17, 1933 – May 3, 1987
Dalida was an Egyptian born pop singer who actually performed and recorded in over ten languages. She was award 55 gold records over her career. When she was in her 20s, Dalida worked as a model and won the Miss Egypt title in 1954. From there she moved to Paris with dreams of being an actress, but after that didn’t pan out, Dalida turned her focus on music. Her singing career exploded after the release of her second single, “Bambino,” which went on the become one of the biggest selling records in French history. Twenty years later, she released what is considered France’s first disco record. Dalida toured fairly regularly up until the mid ’80s, a popular draw in Europe and Asia. Despite all of her success, Dalida stuggled with internal demons leading to her suicide by barbiturates on May 3, 1987.
Serge Gainsbourg (Born Lucien Ginzberg)
April 2, 1921 – March 2, 1991
With Jane Birkin
Born and raised in Paris, Serge Gainsbourg was an esoteric singer-songwriter, actor and director. He is considered one of France’s most influential artists, and although he never really rose above cult status in the U.S. and other parts of the world, his songs have been covered by Belinda Carlisle, Okkervil River, Arcade Fire, Dionne Warwick, Placebo, Jarvis Cocker and more. In some cases, the lyrics were translated into English. His music is difficult to catagorize, in that he tended to jump from style to style, often dabbling in jazz, pop, reggae and electronica. Perhaps his most famous song, “Je t’aime…moi non plus,” was first recorded by Brigitte Bardot, but then re-recorded by his soon-to-be girlfriend, Jane Birken. It’s melody revolved around the simulated sounds of a female orgasm. Even though (or more likely due to) many counries deaming it to “hot” for airlplay, and the vatican calling it offensive, the single reached number 1 on the UK charts in 1969. Gainsbourg continued recording well into the ’80s, but he, along with his music, were becoming more and more eccentric. One of his last records was the attention-grabbing song, “Incest de Citron,” or “Lemon Incest,” a duet with daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg. Serge Gainsbourg died of a heart attack on March 2, 1991.
Helno (Born Noel Rota)
December 25, 1963 – January 22, 1993
Helno was the lead singer of French alternative world rock band, Les Negresses Vertes. Formed in 1987, the group members had never played their instruments prior to starting the band. But their skills and style soon evolved into an exciting mix of gypsy, punk, Mediterranean and South American, often augmented with the use of traditional instruments. By the early 90s the band was expanding their audience thanks in part to their dymanic performances at Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD Festival. Meanwhile, Helno was struggling with a heroin addiction, finally losing his life to an overdose at his parents’ house on January 22, 1993.
Edith Piaf was a French singer who rose from poverty to become one of her country’s most popular performers of the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s. Because of her petite frame, she was called “The Little Sparrow” around the world, and has since become a cultural icon thanks to numerous recordings, biographies and at least one major motion picture about her life. After conquering France, Piaf began touring the rest of Europe and the United States in the years following World War Two. While in the U.S., she graced the stage of Carnegie Hall twice and The Ed Sullivan Show eight times. Piaf was seriously injured in a car accident in 1951, the pain from which lead to her addiction to morphine and alcohol. She died of liver cancer on October 10, 1963 at the age of 47.
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter who came to prominence in Europe during the 1950s. And although he wrote and sang exclusively in French, many of his songs have been covered in English by such notable performers as 
Kyu Sakomoto was one of Japan’s most influential pop stars as well as a popular actor. Since he sang in Japanese, he was basically unknown to English speaking music fans, however, he did have an American hit with “Sukiyaki” in 1963. Released on Capitol Records, it became the first, and since, only Japanese sung song to hit #1 on the pop charts. It stayed there for three weeks. R&B group, A Taste Of Honey released an English cover of the song in 1981, while Latin pop star, 
