Show summary Hide summary
Mike Brant, this name still resonates as a powerful echo from the 70s. Born on February 1, 1947, in Nicosia, he had that warm voice and incredible charm that melted crowds, especially teenage girls. At only 28 years old, he tragically disappeared in 1975, but his aura has never faded.
What you may not know is that behind that intense gaze, Mike Brant was 1.75 m tall and had already lived a childhood marked by history and strong origins. His destiny, between Israel and France, takes us much further than just a musical career.
Before conquering the Parisian stages, this boy who was quietly mute until the age of 5, had an astonishing journey: kibbutz, refrigerator repair, museum guide… Nothing really predestined this kid to become an icon. I swear, it’s a bit like a star suddenly lighting up.
His success, swift, surged with hits like “Laisse-moi t’aimer” and “Qui saura”. But this rise came at a heavy price, with a troubled private life and ambiguous surroundings. Makes you want to know more, right? Come on, let’s go!
Who was Mike Brant: the Franco-Israeli icon with a remarkable destiny
Moshé Michaël Brand, aka Mike Brant, is an emergency child born in Nicosia (Cyprus), crazy, isn’t it? Son of an Auschwitz survivor and a Polish resistance fighter, he arrived in Israel in 1948, just created. Can you imagine the weight of this personal heritage?
He remained silent for a long time, mute until 5 years old, before expressing himself by voice in a choir. Gifted with such a special timbre that he quickly impressed, but his upbringing was not cliché: a small school dropout at 13, repairman job, tour guide in Haifa… Nothing artistic at the beginning.
His brother Zvi, an accordionist, got him into a band, Les Chocolates. Between covers of Elvis and Tom Jones, young Mike patiently forged himself. But it was in Tehran, in 1968, that he met his destiny, spotted by Sylvie Vartan and Carlos. There, everything changed: Paris, the stage, the glory.
If you want to dig deeper into this journey, a little detour through this biography is a goldmine of information.
The major milestones of his career and his unforgettable hits
In Paris, integration was not easy. The language, the style, everything was new. So he worked hard, until Jean Renard, the big “music” boss of the time, took him under his wing. Bingo: his first hit “Laisse-moi t’aimer” exploded in 1970, bringing with it a wave of crazy admirers.
Mike also shone in Germany and Italy, recording in several languages. You surely have his look in mind: open shirt, flared pants, true Latin lover! In 1971, he even did the Olympia as the opening act for Dalida, to make his place in the sun.
Despite a car accident that could have ended everything, Mike came back stronger with titles like “Nous irons à Sligo” or “Felicita”. His desire to do cinema? Present, but he far preferred his concerts, especially in the provinces.
His musical evolution is incredible. I invite you to listen to his classics on his official Facebook page to feel the full magic of his timbre.
Private life and inner demons: when success weighs heavy
Mike Brant was not just a successful singer, he was also a fragile man, with a difficult private life. Victim of depression, surrounded by sometimes toxic ambiguous circles, he sometimes left the stage abruptly. Once, he broke the mirror in his dressing room. That leaves an impression, doesn’t it?
In 1974, it was even a suicide attempt that marked minds: he jumped from a hotel window in Switzerland, miraculously survived but injured. These episodes revealed a deep malaise hidden behind the radiant star.
The following year, he recorded “Dis-lui”, an adaptation of the famous “Feelings”, a success that gave him hope again… until he tragically disappeared in April 1975, in Paris. Want to understand this tragedy? this dossier is quite comprehensive.
The mystery of his death and the lasting legacy of a shooting star
On April 25, 1975, Mike Brant fell from the sixth floor of a Parisian building. Suicide? Accident? Murder? Even today, fifty years later, the mystery lingers, fueled by conflicting testimonies. His niece Yona Brant remains cautious: “He committed suicide or he was killed,” she says. Everyone has their opinion.
Paris, his adopted city, paid him a heartfelt tribute by inaugurating a square in his name in the 16th arrondissement, where he lived his early days. It’s moving to see that in 2025, this monument of chanson is still celebrated.
For fans, for the curious, his songs remain alive, and vinyl box sets with unreleased archives are regularly released. Yona, his niece, even revived his work for new generations, proof that Mike Brant is not ready to fade away.
If Mike Brant’s story touches you, you will also love this detailed portrait on Ouest-France’s site.
Some juicy anecdotes about Mike Brant, the man behind the myth
- 🎤 He never finished his studies, leaving high school at 13.
- 🎹 His brother Zvi was an accordionist and got him into his band.
- 🚗 The car accident in 1970 almost cost his career dearly.
- 🎭 He almost starred in an Italian adaptation of the musical “Hair”.
- 🏠 His first apartments in Paris were besieged by fans – some even camped outside his door!
Recent projects that revive the memory of Mike Brant
In 2025, Mike Brant’s memory is more alive than ever. His name adorns a square in Paris, and a vinyl box set with previously unreleased tapes has just been released, initiated by his devoted niece. Honestly, it’s quite incredible to see how much his audience does not forget him.
To enjoy it, visit his official Facebook page where you will find gems, including rare videos and moving tributes.
The Mike Brant phenomenon goes beyond mere nostalgia; it is a legend that continues to resonate with younger generations. Want to understand why? Watch this RTBF retrospective that tells his incredible story.
{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the official cause of Mike Brant’s death?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Officially, Mike Brant died by suicide after falling from the sixth floor of a building in Paris in 1975.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What are Mike Brant’s biggest hits?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Among his most famous hits are ‘Laisse-moi t’aimer’, ‘Qui saura’ and ‘C’est ma prière’, still beloved today.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How old was Mike Brant when he died?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”He was only 28 years old, an age when his career still promised so much.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why did Mike Brant make such a mark in France?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”His blend of deep voice, Latin charm, and sincere love lyrics won the hearts of the French public in the 70s.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Are there current tributes to Mike Brant?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes, in 2025 a square in Paris was inaugurated in his name and several archive box sets have been published to celebrate his legacy.”}}]}What is the official cause of Mike Brant’s death?
Officially, Mike Brant died by suicide after falling from the sixth floor of a building in Paris in 1975.
What are Mike Brant’s biggest hits?
Among his most famous hits are ‘Laisse-moi t’aimer’, ‘Qui saura’ and ‘C’est ma prière’, still beloved today.
How old was Mike Brant when he died?
He was only 28 years old, an age when his career still promised so much.
Why did Mike Brant make such a mark in France?
His blend of deep voice, Latin charm, and sincere love lyrics won the hearts of the French public in the 70s.
Are there current tributes to Mike Brant?
Yes, in 2025 a square in Paris was inaugurated in his name and several archive box sets have been published to celebrate his legacy.
