SERGE GAINSBOURG’S “HARLEY-DAVIDSON” SUNG BY BRIGITTE BARDOT ON FRENCH TV, 1967
Brigitte Bardot singing on a Harley-Davidson built by Parisian custom motorcycle pioneer Maurice Combalbert. The H-D Flathead was used by Bardot as she performed her wacky love proclamation to the iconic motorcycle on her 1967 French television special— Brigitte Bardot Show. Serge Gainsbourg was watching her performance of his “Harley-Davidson” song from the wings. She included “Harley-Davidson” as one of 15 songs on her 1968 album Brigitte Bardot Show.
Do not miss the video below of Brigitte Bardot’s performance, and the cool stage set.
WATCH BRIGITTE BARDOT PERFORM SERGE’S SONG “HARLEY-DAVIDSON” FOR A FRENCH TELEVISION SPECIAL.Brigitte Bardot rehearsing the song “HARLEY-DAVIDSON” (written by Serge Gainsbourg), as he directs her singing for the French broadcast show produced by Francois Reichenbach. Photo (c) by Jean Adda, Paris, November 1967.BRIGITTE BARDOT ON A CUSTOM HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLATHEAD FOR FRENCH TELEVISION SPECIAL, 1967.SERGE GAINSBOURG & BRIGITTE BARDOT ON FRENCH TELEVISION SPECIAL TO PROMOTE HIS SONG “HARLEY-DAVIDSON” 1967.BRIGITTE BARDOT ON FRENCH TELEVISION SPECIAL TO PROMOTE SERGE’S NEW SONG “HARLEY-DAVIDSON” 1967.BRIGITTE BARDOT ON FRENCH TELEVISION SPECIAL TO PROMOTE SERGE’S NEW SONG “HARLEY-DAVIDSON” 1967.GREAT STAGE / SET FOR BRIGITTE BARDOT’S FRENCH TV SPECIAL PROMOTING “SERGE’S SONG “HARLEY-DAVIDSON,” 1967“The Harley-Davidson bike was built by Maurice Combalbert (below) who was a mechanic in a shop located in Paris, selling cars, motorcycles and furniture ! The P.A.M.A. as it was called, mainly sold british bikes, but Maurice – who is a very old man now – was always tinkering around with Harleys. Handmade ape hangers with an eagle in the middle, or with iron initials of the owner, as well as huge exhaust pipes (up to 3 on each side) were his typical trademark. The black WLA he built for this song is certainly the most important bike in France’s Harley history. All old timers know exactly that this Flathead was stolen after they finished shooting the clip, then it was dismantled and the frame and other parts were thrown in the Canal de l’Ourq in Paris.” — Charlie LecachFrench bikers in Paris during the 1960’s. On the right side, custom motorcycle builder Maurice Combalbert on the famous WL used in the French television TV show clip of Brigitte Bardot singing “Harley-Davidson,” written by Serge Gainsbourg, 1967. GREAT STAGE / SET FOR BRIGITTE BARDOT’S FRENCH TV SPECIAL PROMOTING “SERGE’S SONG “HARLEY-DAVIDSON,” 1967BRIGITTE BARDOT “HARLEY-DAVIDSON” FRENCH TV SPECIAL, 1967GREAT STAGE / SET FOR BRIGITTE BARDOT’S FRENCH TV SPECIAL PROMOTING “SERGE’S SONG “HARLEY-DAVIDSON,” 1967
The Selvedge Yard 