Michel Colombier facts for kids

Michel Colombier (born May 23, 1939 – died November 14, 2004) was a talented French musician. He was a composer, which means he wrote music, and also an arranger, who adapted music for different instruments or voices. He was also a conductor, leading orchestras and choirs. Michel Colombier created music for many movies, TV shows, and ballets.

His Musical Journey

Michel Colombier wrote music for many films and television shows. He also composed classical music for small groups of instruments (called chamber music) and for ballets, which are dance performances.

Famous Collaborations

In 1967, he worked with another composer named Pierre Henry. Together, they created music for a dance piece called Messe pour le temps présent. This piece was made by the famous dancer and choreographer Maurice Béjart.

In 1971, Michel Colombier released his own album called Wings. On this album, he worked with singer Lani Hall. She sang the lead on his song "We Could Be Flying." Michel played the piano on this song, which was recorded in Paris. The song was also included on Lani Hall's first solo album, Sun Down Lady, released in 1972. Lani Hall had been the lead singer for the group Sérgio Mendes and Brazil 66 before this.

"Emmanuel" and Its Special Meaning

One of Michel Colombier's most well-known pieces is called "Emmanuel." He wrote this song in memory of his young son, who passed away as a baby. This beautiful music was used by a French television channel, Antenne 2 (now called France 2). From 1975 to 1983, it played during their sign-on and sign-off sequences. It was used with a short animated film called Les Hommes volants (The Flying Men) by Jean-Michel Folon. The song "Emmanuel" also appeared on the cover of the 1977 re-release of his Wings album.

Later Life and Passing

Michel Colombier passed away from cancer on November 14, 2004. He was 65 years old. He was survived by his wife, Dana Colombier, and their two children. He is buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Selected Film Scores

Michel Colombier composed music for many movies. Here are some of the films he worked on:

• Anna (1967 film) (1967)
• Every Bastard a King (1968)
• Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)
• Law Breakers (1971)
• Un flic (1972)
• The Inheritor (1973)
• Paul and Michelle (1974)
• Steel (1979)
• Une chambre en ville (1982)
• Against All Odds (1984)
• Purple Rain (1984)
• White Nights (1985)
• The Money Pit (1986)
• Ruthless People (1986)
• The Golden Child (1986)
• Surrender (1987)
• The Wild Pair (1987)
• The Couch Trip (1988)
• Cop (1988)
• Satisfaction (1988)
• Who's Harry Crumb? (1989)
• Out Cold (1989)
• Loverboy (1989)
• Asterix and the Big Fight (1989)
• Impulse (1990)
• Buried Alive (1990)
• Midnight Cabaret (1990)
• New Jack City (1991)
• The Dark Wind (1991)
• Strictly Business (1991)
• Deep Cover (1992)
• Folks! (1992)
• Posse (1993)
• The Program (1993)
• Major League II (1994)
• Élisa (1995)
• Mary & Tim (1996)
• Barb Wire (1996)
• Meet Wally Sparks (1997)
• Kiss of Fire (1998)
• Woo (1998)
• How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
• Pros & Cons (1999)
• Screwed (2000)
• Swept Away (2002)

See also

In Spanish: Michel Colombier para niños