Serge Gainsbourg (born
Lucien Ginsburg; ; 2 April 1928 – 2 March 1991) was a French singer, songwriter, pianist, film composer, poet, painter, screenwriter, writer, actor, and director. Regarded as one of the most important figures in
French popular music, he was renowned for his often provocative and scandalous releases, as well as his diverse artistic output, which embodied genres ranging from
jazz,
mambo,
world,
chanson,
pop and
yé-yé, to
rock and roll,
progressive rock,
reggae,
electronic,
disco,
new wave, and
funk. Gainsbourg's varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize although his legacy has been firmly established and he is often regarded as one of the world's most influential popular musicians.