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Claude François

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Claude François was a highly influential French pop singer and entertainer. Many fans knew him by his popular nickname, Cloclo.

Claude François (1976) by Erling Mandelmann
Claude François (1976) by Erling Mandelmann

He was a multifaceted artist who worked as a composer, songwriter, and record producer. He was also a skilled drummer and dancer. His massive popularity is shown by the numbers of his success. He sold more than 20 million records during his lifetime. Since his death, he has sold an additional 6 million records. Former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing once compared him to The Beatles. He described François as the great talent of a generation.

François's musical journey began with formal training and self-taught skills. His mother, Lucia Mazzeï, was very musical and provided him with piano and violin lessons. On his own, he learned to play the drums.

Claude François (1976) by Erling Mandelmann - 4
Claude François (1976) by Erling Mandelmann - 4

After moving to the French Riviera, he worked as a bank clerk. To earn extra money, he played drums in orchestras at luxury hotels at night. This combination of work helped him eventually transition into professional singing. He moved to Paris to find more opportunities in the music industry.

His career involved a specific method of making music popular in France. He often created French adaptations of successful English-language songs. For example, he recorded "Belles! Belles! Belles!" as a version of an Everly Brothers song. He also adapted "If I Had a Hammer" into "Si j'avais un marteau." In the 1970s, he adapted to the disco craze by recording "La plus belle chose du monde." This was a French version of a hit by the Bee Gees. These adaptations helped him maintain his status as a top star.

François was also a creative innovator in live performances. In 1964, he began creating original dance steps for his shows.

Claude François dessiné par Michel Bourdais en 1963
Claude François dessiné par Michel Bourdais en 1963

He also pioneered the idea of including female dancers in his stage productions. He discovered a group of singers and produced them under the name Les Clodettes. This group went on to perform for many major European stars. His ability to manage these different parts of a show showed his skill as a producer.

His early life was marked by significant changes and challenges. He was born in Ismaïlia, Egypt, in 1939. His father, Aimé François, worked as a manager for the Suez Canal company. The family moved to Port Tewfik in 1951. However, the 1956 Suez Crisis forced the family to return to Monaco. This move was described as traumatic for the family. Financial struggles followed when his father became too ill to work.

Beyond music, François was a successful businessman and a philanthropist. He owned his own record label, called Flèche, which gave his dance group its name. He also acquired a celebrity magazine and a modeling agency. Despite his focus on business, he used his platform for good. In 1974, he organized a concert to raise funds for handicapped children. In 1975, he participated in a Paris concert to support medical research.

Claude François left behind a massive musical legacy that continues today. He co-wrote the lyrics for "Comme d'habitude," which became the famous song "My Way."

Claude François (1976) by Erling Mandelmann
Claude François (1976) by Erling Mandelmann

He also composed the music for "Parce que je t'aime mon enfant," known as "My Boy." His life was the subject of a biographical film called "Cloclo" in 2012. In Paris, a place called Place Claude-François was named in his memory. His sons, Claude Jr. and Marc, now manage his artistic heritage.

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Claude François dessiné par Michel...
File:Claude François (1976) by Erling Mandelmann - 4.jpg
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