Claude François facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claude François
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François in 1965
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Claude Antoine Marie François |
| Also known as | Cloclo |
| Born | 1 February 1939 Ismailia, Egypt |
| Died | 11 March 1978 (aged 39) Paris, France |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter, producer, editor-in-chief |
| Instruments | Vocals, violin, percussion and drums |
| Years active | 1962–1978 |
| Labels | Fontana, Phillips, Flèche, Phonogram |
Claude Antoine Marie François (born February 1, 1939 – died March 11, 1978) was a famous French pop singer, songwriter, and dancer. Many people knew him by his nickname, Cloclo. He was also a music producer and played the drums.
Claude François helped write the song "Comme d'habitude", which later became the super famous English song "My Way". He also wrote the music for "Parce que je t'aime mon enfant", which Elvis Presley covered as "My Boy". Some of his other well-known songs include "Le Téléphone Pleure", "Le lundi au soleil", "Magnolias for Ever", and "Alexandrie Alexandra".
He sold about 70 million records during his career and even after he passed away. He was planning to go to the United States when he sadly died at age 39. The former French President, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, once said that Claude François was like "the French equivalent of The Beatles". This meant he was a huge talent for his generation.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to France
Claude Antoine Marie François was born in Ismaïlia, Egypt. His father, Aimé François, worked for the Suez Canal company. His mother, Lucia Mazzeï, loved music. She made sure Claude took piano and violin lessons. Claude also taught himself to play the drums.
In 1956, because of the Suez Crisis, his family had to leave Egypt. They moved to Monaco. Life was hard for them financially because Claude's father got sick and could not work.
Claude found a job at a bank. At night, he played drums with a band in fancy hotels along the French Riviera to earn more money. People noticed his good singing voice. He got a chance to sing at a hotel in Juan-les-Pins. His performances were popular, and he started singing in glamorous nightclubs along the Côte d'Azur. In 1959, he met Janet Woollacott, and they got married in 1960.
Becoming a Star in Music
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Claude François moved to Paris to find more chances for his music career. At that time, American rock and roll music was becoming very popular in France. He joined a singing group to make a living.
He wanted to become a solo artist. He paid to record his own song. He tried to make a hit with a song called "Nabout Twist", hoping to use the "Twist" dance craze. But it was not successful.
In 1962, he tried again. He recorded a French version of an Everly Brothers song called "Made to Love". He renamed it "Belle Belle Belle", and this time it was a success!
Growing Success and New Ideas
Claude's career really took off with a new manager. In 1963, he had more hits by singing French versions of American songs like "Si j'avais un marteau" and "Marche Tout Droit".
On April 5, 1963, he performed at the famous Paris Olympia. This showed that he was now a big star.
In 1964, he started a relationship with France Gall, a singer who had won the Eurovision Song Contest. This lasted until 1967.
Later, Claude created new dance moves for his shows. He also had the idea to have female dancers perform with him. These dancers became known as "Les Clodettes".
Famous Songs and International Hits
In 1967, Claude François and Jacques Revaux wrote "Comme d'habitude" ("As Usual"). It became a big hit in French-speaking countries. The Canadian singer Paul Anka rewrote it in English as "My Way". This song became legendary, especially when sung by Frank Sinatra.
In 1971, Claude sang "Parce que je t'aime, mon enfant" ("Because I Love You My Child"). It was not very well-known in France. But Elvis Presley covered it as "My Boy", making it famous worldwide.
Claude was good at changing with the times. When disco music became popular in the 1970s, he became known as the king of French disco. He recorded "La plus belle chose du monde", which was a French version of the Bee Gees' song "Massachusetts".
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He also looked for new talent. He found a group of female singers who became "Les Clodettes". He produced albums for them. Claude worked very hard, performing all over Europe, Africa, and Canada.
In 1971, he collapsed on stage because he was so tired. After a short break, he went back to recording. He released many best-selling songs in the early 1970s. He also owned his own record company, a magazine, and a modeling agency.
Helping Others
Even though he worked hard for his own success, Claude François also cared about helping others. In 1974, he held a concert to raise money for children with disabilities. The next year, he took part in another concert in Paris to help fund medical research.
Personal Life and Challenges
In November 1960, Claude married dancer Janet Woollacott. She left him in 1962, and they divorced in 1967. This was a difficult time for him. His relationship with France Gall also ended in 1967.
He later had two sons, Claude Jr. (born 1968) and Marc (born 1969), with model Isabelle Forêt. Their relationship lasted from 1967 to 1972.
Claude continued to perform and manage his many businesses. In 1975, he was in London when a bomb exploded in his hotel lobby, but he was safe. Two years later, someone tried to shoot him while he was driving.
In 1977–78, more than 15 years after his first hit, he was still at the top of the music charts. His songs like "Alexandrie Alexandra" (released on the day he was buried) sold millions. He performed for huge audiences.
International Performances
Claude François performed in many countries, including Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, England, and Canada. In 1976, his song "Le Telephone Pleure" ("Tears on the Telephone") reached number 35 on the UK music charts. On January 16, 1978, he performed a special show at the Royal Albert Hall in London for 6,000 people. It was the first time a French singer had done this.
His Tragic Death
After working in Switzerland on March 9 and 10, and recording a TV show for the BBC on March 11, 1978, Claude François went back to his apartment in Paris. He was supposed to appear on a TV show the next day.
While taking a bath, he noticed that a light fixture on the wall was not straight. He stood up to fix it and was accidentally electrocuted. He was only 39 years old.
Claude François was buried in the village of Dannemois, south of Paris. He owned a house there and spent his weekends in the area.
His Lasting Legacy
On March 11, 2000, which was 22 years after his death, a square in Paris was named Place Claude-François in his memory. It is right in front of the building where he died.
A movie about his life, called Cloclo (or My Way internationally), was released in March 2012. It stars Jérémie Renier and tells his life story.
Claude François's sons, Claude Jr. and Marc, now manage their father's music and other artistic works.
Discography
Albums
- 2012: Génération Cloclo
- 2012: 30 ans – Édition aniversaire (Compilation album)
Singles
- "Nabout Twist"
- "Belles! Belles! Belles!"
- "Si j'avais un marteau"
- "Comme d'habitude"
- "Parce que je t'aime mon enfant"
- "Le Téléphone Pleure"
- "Le Lundi au soleil"
- "Cette année-là"
- "Magnolias for Ever"
- "Alexandrie Alexandra"
English Songs
- "Tears on the Telephone" ("Le Téléphone pleure")
- "My Boy" ("Parce que je t'aime, mon enfant")
- "My Way" ("Comme d'habitude")
- "Monday Morning Again" ("Le lundi au soleil")
- "Hello Happiness"
See also
In Spanish: Claude François para niños
