Pierre Barouh

Pierre Barouh, originally named Élie Pierre Barouh, was a multifaceted French artist born on February 19, 1934, in Paris. He became renowned as a writer, composer, and singer, notably recognized for his contributions to Claude Lelouch's acclaimed film *A Man and a Woman* (1966), where he not only acted but also served as the lyricist and vocalist for Francis Lai's memorable score. Raised in Levallois-Perret alongside his siblings, Barouh's early life was marked by hardship; his family, of Turkish-Jewish descent, concealed themselves from the Nazis during World War II.

Following the war, Barouh briefly ventured into sports journalism with *Paris-Presse-Intransigeant* and played on the national volleyball B team in the 1950s. His travels to Portugal ignited his passion for Brazilian music, leading him to establish connections with key bossa nova figures after a visit to Brazil in 1959. He later transformed his childhood mill, La Morvient, into a recording studio and founded Saravah Records in 1965, aiming to blend diverse musical styles and promote emerging artists.

Despite facing a significant betrayal from a childhood friend in management, Barouh continued to thrive creatively. His artistic portfolio includes the film *D'où viens-tu Johnny?*, the documentary on bossa nova, and popular songs like "À bicyclette" and "La Plage." He was married to actress Anouk Aimée from 1966 to 1969. Barouh passed away on December 28, 2016, at the age of 82, leaving behind a rich legacy in French music and cinema. He was laid to rest in Montmartre Cemetery.