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Franco-American singer-songwriter who became an icon of French-language pop and chanson music. Born in New York to filmmaker Jules Dassin and violinist Béatrice Launer, Dassin rose to fame in France despite American roots. His career spanned 1964-1980, producing timeless hits that blended pop sensibility with poetic French lyrics.

• Dassin learned French phonetically early in his career, as it wasn't his native language, yet became France's top-selling artist by 1975.
• His song 'L'Été indien' (1975) sold nearly 2 million copies in France alone, remaining one of the best-selling singles in French history.
• Suffered multiple heart attacks, with his fatal cardiac arrest occurring during dinner in Tahiti. Autopsy revealed previously undiagnosed coronary issues.
• Married three times, including to singer Christine Delvaux. His son Joshua became a musician, releasing posthumous duets with his father's vocals.