Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg was all of these and more. The most prominent face of French music in the previous century, and arguably the most successful in crossing cultural boundaries, his creative output graced albums by a disparate spread of performers, from Eurovision- winning France Gall to neo-punkers Bijou. But while he was undoubtedly one of France's most cherished artists, he was also one of its most controversial. Lover of Bardot, Birkin, and Deneuve, and an unconcionalbe roue - a drink never far from his hand nor Gitane from his lips - his dissolute lifestyle belied the sexy breathiness of his internationally famous hit ''Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus.''