Main content

Sacha Distel

Sue Lawley's castaway is singer Sacha Distel.

This week Sue Lawley's castaway is one of France's best known exports - the singer Sacha Distel.

Born into a loving family in 1930s Paris, his father was a Russian émigré who'd fled the Red Army in 1917 and walked to Paris where he eventually set up an electrical goods shop. His mother was a talented musician and she instilled a love of music in her son at a young age - especially the piano. The family was traumatised during the Second World War, when his mother, who was Jewish, was interred in a Nazi camp for 19 months. After the war they were reunited but Sacha has said the experience left him with a long lasting sense of insecurity. He continued playing the piano but was increasingly drawn to the guitar, encouraged by the uncle who was the successful jazz band leader Ray Ventura. He soon demonstrated enormous talent for the instrument and, after graduating from college, he was playing with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davies. However it was his affair and engagement to Brigitte Bardot which catapaulted him to international fame. The liaison failed but he was to go on to become a household name, both in here and in France, with his distinct vocal style and image as a sex symbol. Now about to turn 71, Sacha is still touring and has just released a new CD.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Come Rain or Come Shine by Frank Sinatra
Book: The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho
Luxury: Grand piano

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 20 Feb 2004 09:00
±«Óãtv Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Sister Frances Dominica

Next

John Cale

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Tony Bennett

    These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You

    • Tony Bennett - On Holiday.
    • Columbia.

  • Maurice Ravel

    La Valse

    Soloist: Charles Dutoit Orchestra: Montreal Symphony Orchestra

    • Bolero: La Valse.
    • Decca.

  • Frank Sinatra

    Ebb Tide

    • Only The Lonely.
    • Capitol.

  • Miles Davis

    When Lights Are Low

    • Cookin' with Miles Davis Quintet.
    • Prestige.

  • Stan Getz & João Gilberto

    Corcovado

    • Getz/Gilberto.
    • Verve.

  • Sacha Distel

    My Funny Valentine

    Artist: Martin Taylor

    • When I Fall In Love.
    • Universal.

  • Wes Montgomery

    Airegin

    • Incredible Jazz Guitar.
    • Riverside.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Frank Sinatra

      Come Rain or Come Shine

      • The Reprise Years.
      • Reprise.

  • Book Choice

    • The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream - Paulo Coelho

  • Luxury Choice

    • Grand piano

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Sacha Distel

Broadcasts

  • Sun 15 Feb 2004 11:15
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4
  • Fri 20 Feb 2004 09:00
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast