Patachou facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patachou
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Patachou in 1961
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| Born |
Henriette Ragon
10 June 1918 |
| Died | 30 April 2015 (aged 96) Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
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| Occupation | Singer, actress |
| Spouse(s) | Jean Billon, Arthur Lesser |
| Children | Pierre Billon |
Henriette Ragon (born June 10, 1918 – died April 30, 2015), known as Patachou, was a famous French singer and actress. She received a very important award called the Légion d'honneur.
Contents
Patachou's Life Story
Early Days
Henriette Ragon was born in Paris, France. Before becoming a star, she worked many different jobs. She was a typist, a factory worker, a shoe seller, and even an antique dealer.
Becoming "Patachou"
In 1948, Henriette and her husband, Jean Billon, opened a special restaurant in Montmartre, Paris. They named it "Patachou." This name came from "pâte-à-choux," which is a type of pastry dough.
Henriette started singing in her restaurant. Journalists began to call her "Patachou" after her restaurant's name.
Singing with Georges Brassens
A famous singer named Georges Brassens often sang at Patachou's restaurant. They even sang a duet together called "Maman, papa." Patachou was the first to sing many of his other songs, like "Le bricoleur" and "La chasse aux papillons."
One evening, Patachou asked her audience to stay and meet the person who wrote these songs. That's how Georges Brassens first sang on her stage. He performed his songs Le Gorille and P..de toi.
The Necktie Tradition
Patachou had a fun and unique tradition at her restaurant. If a customer didn't join in the singing, she would snip off half of their necktie! Then, she would staple the tie piece to the ceiling. This created a very unusual decoration with hundreds of neckties hanging above. Even famous people like Thomas E. Dewey and Errol Flynn became "victims" of this tradition!
First Recordings and Tours
Patachou released her first records in 1952. She quickly became popular and performed at the Bobino music-hall in Paris. She then toured all over France.
Starting in 1953, Patachou began performing in other countries. She sang at famous places like the London Palladium, the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and Carnegie Hall in the United States. Later, in the 1970s, she also toured in Japan and Sweden. People loved her unique Parisian singing style.
Awards and Recognition
Patachou was given a very high honor in France. On January 1, 2009, she was made an Officier of the Légion d'honneur. This is a special award given for outstanding achievements.
Her Final Years
Patachou passed away on April 30, 2015, when she was 96 years old.
Patachou's Movies
Patachou also had a career as an actress. Here are some of the films she appeared in:
- 1952: Jouons le jeu - The singer
- 1953: Women of Paris - Herself, a singer
- 1955: Napoléon - Madame Sans-Gêne
- 1955: French Cancan - Yvette Guilbert
- 1983: Le disparu du 7 octobre (TV Movie) - Blanche Auroux
- 1986: Faubourg St Martin - Madame Coppercage
- 1987: la Rumba - Madame Meyrals
- 1990: Le champignon des Carpathes - Madame Ambrogiano
- 1990: Les matins chagrins - Alice
- 1990: Night of the Fox (TV Movie)
- 1992: Chasse gardée - Madame Cygne
- 1993: Cible émouvante - Madame Meynard
- 1993: Les Grandes Marées (TV Mini-Series) - Sophie Leclerc
- 1999: Pola X - Marguerite
- 2000: Drôle de Félix - Mathilde, the Grandmother
- 2000: Les Acteurs - Blind old lady
- 2001: Belphégor, le fantôme du Louvre - Geneviève
- 2004: San-Antonio - Ruth Booz
See also
In Spanish: Patachou para niños
