Alain Bashung dies - a giant of French music

Saturday saw the death here in France of one of this country's most respected and decorated singer-songwriters.

Alain Bashung died of lung cancer at the age of 61.

His is probably not a name that will be familiar with many outside of the French-speaking world, but he was a giant of the rock scene here.

Indeed he was described by the culture journalist of the national daily Le Figaro, Olivier Nuc, as "a major singer of French music ."

And that appears to be a view widely held throughout the French media, among his contemporaries and across the generations.

Tributes poured in after news of his death was announced. Both national prime times news channels led with the story and paid homage to Bashung.

The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, released an official statement saying "It's a prince who has left us this evening, an immense poet and a singer who stood up for what he believed in."

"We take leave of an artist, who has left his mark on the history of music. We salute a man who everyone loved."

Check out the website of any French newspaper or magazine and you'll find the news of his death is still one of the top stories.

When he began his career, Bashung was promoted as an alternative to Claude François ("My Way") a popular singer with mass appeal here in France and internationally.

He had only limited success in the 1960s and 70s and even the release of his first album "Roman photos" in 1977, achieved neither real critical nor commercial success.

It wasn't until the appearance two year's later of his second album "Roulette russe" and the subsequent release and success of the single "Gaby! Oh Gaby" that Bashung's career really took off.

And he never looked back.

He had a string of hits throughout the 80s and 90s, carving out his own very particular niche, revered and respected among his peers and throughout the music industry.

And of course, just like many other French artists, he proved to be multi-talented, branching out into acting.

Bashung's appeal was one which crossed generations and was in its own way very "French". His was a brooding sometimes sombre music, but always redefining French rock (yes such a thing exists) and he was a giant of the music scene here in France.

Just last month he picked up three awards at the annual Victoires de la musique ceremony, that recognises the country's best singers and songs of the year, including best male artist, best album for his 2008 release "Bleu Pétrole" and best live show.

That brought his haul over the years to 11 - more than any other artist in the history of the awards.

When he stood on stage and performed the track "Résidents de la République", the single taken from his last album, he looked visibly weak and a shadow of his former self.

But he received a standing ovation from the star-studded (French) celebrity audience and even the presenter of the show, Nagui was close to tears.

Bashung's voice was instantly recognisable and he leaves behind some memorable and often haunting songs.