Jacques Romain Georges Brel (French pronunciation: [ʒak ʁomɛ̃ ʒɔʁʒ bʁɛl] Pronunciation (help · info); 8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer, songwriter, poet, actor and director who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, later throughout the world.