Françoise Hardy, the French singer-songwriter, actor, and model, has died at the age of 80. Her death was confirmed by her son Thomas Dutronc. Although a cause of death has yet to be disclosed, Hardy had previously shared about her diagnosis with laryngeal cancer in 2018 following a lymphoma diagnosis in 2004. She had also expressed feeling “close to the end” of her life.
One of Hardy’s notable collaborations was with the British band Blur back in 1995. The collaboration involved a reworked version of Blur’s single “To The End,” recorded as a duet “To the End (La Comedie)” and released as a single in France. The team-up was recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. Hardy’s work with Blur was significant as the band described it as their introduction to French culture.
In tribute to Hardy, Blur frontman Damon Albarn shared on Instagram that she was hugely important to the band, and he felt privileged to have spent time with her. He recalled visiting her “amazing, entirely black house,” and of his impression that she was the definition of chic, understated charisma. Albarn’s fellow band member, Graham Coxon, also paid tribute to Hardy on Twitter, saying it was nice to have known her for just a little while.
Blur recently announced the release of their new “Live At Wembley Stadium” album to accompany their forthcoming documentary and concert film about their 2023 reunion and huge comeback gigs at Wembley Stadium. In the meantime, the band played at both editions of Coachella 2024 in April, with Albarn telling the audience that the second set was probably their last gig together. Albarn had previously stated that it was time to wrap up the band again in December 2020
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