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About this artist
French singer and jazz guitarist.
Born 29 January 1933 in Paris, France.
Died 22 July 2004 in Rayol-Canadel, France.
Nephew of big band leader .
As a singer, his cover version of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" in 1970 reached #10 in the U.K. charts. As a songwriter, he charted once in the U.S. with "The Good Life" by Tony Bennett. The song, "La Belle Vie", which Distel had originally composed with French lyrics by , had English lyrics added by . The song hit #18 in the U.S. (#7 adult contemporary) and #27 in the U.K. in 1963.
In 1997 France's highest civilian award "The Legion of Honor" was bestowed on him. He was voted "best guitarist" by Jazz Hot magazine and by several critics in the 1950s.