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Born in Paris
Born Lucien Ginzburg with his sister Lilianne in Paris -
Enrolls in art school for painting
Enrolls at the Ecole Supérieure Des Beaux Arts to pursue painting. -
Period: to
Starts drinking while serving in the French army
Spends a year in the French military, as required of all French men. Develops a drinking habit. -
Marries Elizabeth Levitsky
Marries Elizabeth Levitsky -
Joins French songwriting group for first songs.
Joins France’s songwriters’ society. Registers first six songs . -
Changes name for professional purposes.
Changes name to Serge Gainsbourg – Gainsbourg as an homage to English painter Gainsborough and Serge as a reference to his Russian heritage. -
Releases first record.
Listen to "Le Poiçoinneur de Lilas"Signs with the Philips record label. Releases “Du Chant à la une!” (Songs on Page One.) One better-known songs from this album was “Le Poiçonneur des Lilas.” -
Marries Béatrice, (née Françoise-Antoinette Pancrazzi).
Marries Béatrice, (née Françoise-Antoinette Pancrazzi). -
Gainsbourg-penned hit wins Eurovision contest
Listen to France Gall perform "Poupée de cire, poupée de son"France Gall wins Eurovision for the song “Poupée de cire, poupée de son” (Wax doll, singing doll), written by Gainsbourg. -
Affair with Brigitte Bardot
Listen to Gainbourg and Bardot's duet "Bonnie and Clyde"Meets Brigitte Bardot. They work together on songs like “Bonnie and Clyde” and become lovers. -
Meets Jane Birkin
Listen to "Je T'Aime ... Moi Non Plus"Meets Jane Birkin on a movie set, and they begin to work together. They record “Je T’Aime … Moi Non Plus,” which becomes Gainsbourg’s only hit outside France. It’s unknown whether the two married during the course of their 13-year relationship. -
Daughter with Birkin born
Charlotte Gainsbourg is born, who becomes a popular actress and recording artist. -
Pushes musical envelope in Jamaica
Listen to "Aux Armes et cetera"Travels to Jamaica to record “Aux Armes et cetera,” the title song from which was a spoof on the French national anthem. -
Birkin leaves
Gainsbourg’s drinking problem becomes too much to handle; Birkin leaves him. -
Gainsbourg makes a pass at Whitney Houston
Watch Gainsbourg's pass at Whitney HoustonMakes a vulgur proposition at Whiney Houston on French TV. -
Dies in Paris
Dies of a heart attack in his Paris apartment.
