Jil Caplan

Jil Caplan (born Valentine Guilen; 23 October 1968 in Paris, France) is a French singer and songwriter.

Paris-born Valentine Guilen studied modern literature at the Sorbonne and theatre at the Cours Florent, where she met Jay Alanski, producer and composer of the most influential pop songs of the 1980s. In August 1986, she met her friends Les Innocents, then unknown by the general public, in a recording studio, where the group recorded their first single "Jodie", under the leadership of Alanski, who quickly offered her the chance to sing.

Valentine Guilen, who adopted the pseudonym "Jil Caplan", accepted and released in 1987 her first album, À peine 21. Its single "Oh! Tous les soirs" was a success, entering the French Top 40. Other singles from this album, like "Comme sur une balançoire", "Cette fille n'est pas pour toi", etc. received public attention and radio airplay in 1988/89. Jil and Jay will make three albums together; directing most of the videoclips, as well as designing the CD covers.

In 1990 was released the Caplan's second album (la Charmeuse de serpents), from which three singles entered the French Top 40 in 1991/92, notably "Natalie Wood" which reached n°13 and "Tout c'qui nous sépare", a Top 10 hit (n°6). The album itself was a major success, earning a double Gold certification, just missing the French Top 10 (n°11).

In 1992, Jil won a Victoire de la Musique for Female revelation of the year. Then Alanski decided to turn to electronic music.