Photography History: Serge Gainsbourg at the Palace

Galerie Portfolio is pleased to present an iconic photograph of legendary singer Serge Gainsbourg , taken at the Palace in 1980 by Patrick Siccoli, now available in our gallery on rue Mazarine.

This photo reflects an entire era: that of Gainsbourg's triumphant return with his album "Aux armes et cætera", but also that of the Palace , a legendary venue for Parisian nightlife.

This photo is the story of Serge Gainsbourg , in his dressing room at the Palace, cigarette in one hand, glass of white wine in the other, showing a newspaper at his side: " Gainsbourg face les Paras: La folle soirée de Strasbourg" , recalling one of the most memorable evenings of his career.

At the end of 1979, Gainsbourg released his reggae album Aux armes et cætera, recorded with Bob Marley 's backing vocalists. However, one song caused a scandal among some people and politicians: the reggae version of La Marseillaise. But regardless of the outraged remarks, Gainsbourg continued to perform this song at every concert on his tour. Until Strasbourg , on January 4, 1980. After a bomb threat in his hotel earlier in the day, military paratroopers invaded the concert hall and began to heckle, scandalized by the singer's revisitation of La Marseillaise . Forced to cancel his performance, he nevertheless went on stage, packet of Gitane in hand and said:

"I am a rebel, who has given La Marseillaise its original meaning. I will ask you to sing it with me."

Before singing the national anthem a cappella, his fist raised, forcing the trapped "paratroopers" to stand at attention. He then left the stage, ending his speech with a raised middle finger. After this scandal, the album received a gold disc , Serge Gainsbourg's first.

This photo by Patrick Siccoli tells a fascinating story, but above all, it captures an icon of French music. You can discover it now in our gallery at 48 rue Mazarine, Paris 6.

Patrick SICCOLI (1955 - ), Serge Gainsbourg at the Palace, Silver print on baryta paper, signed in black ink under the image and numbered 09/30, 38 x 55.5 cm, frame 50 x 70cm, 1980. Price on request.