Entertainment
Francoise Hardy: French music icon who inspired Sir Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan dies
French singer-songwriter Francoise Hardy, who inspired Bob Dylan and Sir Mick Jagger, has died at the age of 80.
The musician was a fixture of pop culture in the 1960s and also modelled for designer brands including Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne.
Her death was announced by her son Thomas Dutronc, who she shared with ex-husband and French music star Jacques Dutronc.
Hardy arrives at London Airport in 1966. Pic: AP
Sharing an image on Instagram of himself as a baby being held by his mother, he wrote in French: “Maman est partie…” which translates as “Mum is gone”.
Hardy first found fame in 1962 with her debut single Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles (All The Girls And Boys), in which she lamented her single status.
Known for her androgynous style, which women around the world tried to replicate, she was once described by Sir Mick as his “ideal woman”.
Meanwhile, Dylan wrote several love letters to her and addressed her in a poem on the back of his 1964 album, Another Side Of Bob Dylan.
Hardy was described by Sir Mick as his ‘ideal woman’. Pic: DPA/AP
Hardy’s other hits included the ballad Mon Amie La Rose and Comment Te Dire Adieu, which featured lyrics by fellow French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.
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In 1965 she released English-language song All Over The World, which landed in the top 20 in the UK charts and stayed there for 15 weeks, becoming her biggest UK hit.
Over the course of her career she released almost 30 albums and in 2023 was ranked 162 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 200 greatest singers of all time.