Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

January 1, 1939 in Ismailia, Egypt

Death

:

March 11, 1978 in Paris, France

 

Claude François was a French singer, songwriter, and composer who was born on February 1, 1939, in Ismailia, Egypt. He was the youngest of nine children and his parents were French citizens who had settled in Egypt. His father worked as a shipping executive and his mother was a homemaker. Claude François showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He was also a talented dancer and performed in local shows and competitions. In 1951, his family moved to Monte Carlo, where he continued his musical education and began performing in nightclubs and cabarets. In 1958, Claude François moved to Paris to pursue a career in music. He began working as a songwriter and composer, and his first major success came in 1962 with the song "Belles! Belles! Belles!" which was recorded by French singer Johnny Hallyday. The song became a hit and launched Claude François's career as a composer. Over the next few years, Claude François continued to write and compose songs for other artists, including France Gall, Dalida, and Sheila. He also began recording his own music and became known for his energetic performances and catchy pop songs. In 1965, he released his first album, "Si j'avais un marteau," which included the hit single "Dis-lui." Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Claude François continued to release hit songs and albums, including "Comme d'habitude" (1967), which was later adapted into the English-language song "My Way" and became a signature song for Frank Sinatra. Other notable songs from this period include "Le Lundi au soleil" (1972) and "Alexandrie Alexandra" (1978). In addition to his success as a composer and performer, Claude François was also known for his flamboyant style and extravagant stage shows. He often wore flashy costumes and incorporated elaborate dance routines into his performances. Tragically, Claude François's life was cut short when he died on March 11, 1978, at the age of 39. He was electrocuted while changing a light bulb in his bathroom, and his death was a shock to his fans and the music industry. Despite his untimely death, Claude François's music continues to be popular in France and around the world. His catchy pop songs and energetic performances have influenced generations of musicians and his legacy as a composer and performer lives on.

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