Sacha Distel, 71; French Singer, Composer

Sacha Distel, a popular French singer, composer and jazz guitarist of the 1960s and ‘70s whose hits included “Scoubidou” and a cover of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” has died. He was 71.

Distel died Thursday at the home of relatives in the South of France, according to his record company, Universal Music France.

He had been ill for some time and had suffered from thyroid cancer in 1970 and skin cancer a decade later.

His first hit was “Scoubidou” in 1958, and he followed it with more than 200 songs. A well-publicized affair in the 1960s with actress Brigitte Bardot helped make him internationally known. He was especially popular in Britain, where he had his own television show in the 1970s and his version of “Raindrops” outsold the original by B.J. Thomas.

“Sacha Distel had ‘swing’ under his skin,” French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said in a tribute released by his office. “For him, it was always ‘The Good Life,’ the symbol of good humor and charm.”

“The Good Life” was one of the songs Distel wrote and recorded. It was later recorded by Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.

In 1997, France’s highest civilian award -- the Legion of Honor -- was bestowed on Distel.

Best known for his songs, he was also an outstanding jazz guitarist, winning the title of best guitarist of the year from Jazz Hot magazine. In the 1950s, he took part in several recording sessions in Paris with such jazz greats as Lionel Hampton, John Lewis and Barney Kessel.

Distel was married to former French ski champion Francine Breaud. They had two sons.