Axel Bauer

Axel Bauer (born 7 April 1961) is a French singer, composer, guitarist, and actor, born in Paris. A figure of the French rock scene, he was discovered in 1983 with the song "Cargo". Several times awarded a gold record, he has sold three million records and performed nearly 700 concerts in France and Europe.

He submitted his demos to Philippe Missir, artistic director of Mondio Music, who accompanied him in the elaboration of the "Cargo" demo on which Michel Eli, the director of the label immediately signed Bauer. The song came out at the end of 1983 with Manu Katche on drums and Bauer on guitar. Michel Eli, who wrote the lyrics, was inspired by film Pépé le Moko with Jean Gabin. The cover of the single refers to the poster of the film Querelle by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. "Cargo" sold more than a million copies, earning a Gold record for Bauer.

Bauer chose to work with the director Jean Baptiste Mondino on a video for the song. The video was shot in black and white, populated by muscular sailors in engine rooms and a nude girl dancing, inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's film Rumble Fish and Fritz Lang's film Metropolis. "Cargo" was the first French video to be broadcast on MTV.

The following year, he became the first French artist to sign at EMI international. He settled in London and began recording his debut album with director Dave Bascomb, producer of Tears for Fears. The album Les nouveaux Seigneurs was released in 1987.

After a few years spent in the UK, Axel left EMI, returned to Paris and signed with Mercury (Universal). In 1990, Sentinelles was released, produced by Ben Rogan (Polnareff, Daho, Sade). It was considered an unpolished blending of disparate genres such as rock and electro with multiple collaborations, with the song "Éteins la lumière" becoming a success and being certified gold record. The song remains notable for its guitar riff. Axel then left for a long tour with musicians such as bassist Phil Spalding, on guitar Pierre Jaconelli or drummer Mathieu Rabaté.