Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DISTEL, Sacha

(b 29 Jan. '33, Paris; d c.21 July 2004) Guitarist, singer. Nephew of bandleader/producer Ray Ventura. Studied piano at five, guitar from 15; played dixieland while studying philosophy; switched to modern style inspired by Dizzy Gillespie. Won amateur contest '50; played in '50s with Stan Getz, Modern Jazz Quartet, Lionel Hampton, Gillespie, etc; by end of '50s known as a classy pop singer (minor hit 'Scoubidou' '59). Recorded in five languages; wrote theme for French film The Seven Capital Sins; with Jack Reardon's lyrics it became 'The Good Life': Grammy for Best Song '63, a top 20 hit for Tony Bennett. His own biggest hit was 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head' from film Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid '70. Won Golden Rose of Montreux for TV show Happy End '66. His good looks and Gallic charm sustained his popularity on UK TV.