Pierre Vassiliu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pierre Vassiliu
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Pierre Vassiliu performing at a concert in Cambieure in 2004.
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| Background information | |
| Born | 23 October 1937 Villecresnes, Seine-et-Oise, France |
| Died | 17 August 2014 (aged 76) Sète, Hérault, France |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter, actor |
| Labels | Decca Barclay RCA |
Pierre Vassiliu (born 23 October 1937 – died 17 August 2014) was a famous French singer, songwriter, and actor. He was known for his unique style and catchy songs that made him popular with many fans, especially teenagers.
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Pierre Vassiliu's Early Music Career
Pierre Vassiliu started his music journey in 1962. His very first song was called "Armand." He wrote this song with his brother, Michel.
"Armand" was a huge hit! It sold 150,000 copies, which is a lot for a first song. This success opened many doors for Pierre.
Performing with Music Legends
Because "Armand" was so popular, Pierre got to perform at the famous Olympia theater in Paris. This was a very big deal for a new artist.
In 1964, he even opened for the Beatles! Imagine performing before one of the biggest bands in the world. After that, he spent two months performing with other French music stars like Françoise Hardy, Jacques Dutronc, and Johnny Hallyday.
Popular Songs and Hits
Pierre Vassiliu had many other successful songs. Some of his well-known hits included "Charlotte" and "Ivanhoe."
Another song, "La femme du sergent," was very popular. However, it was censored for a while because of the Algerian War.
"Qui c'est celui-là?" - A Teen Favorite
In 1973, Pierre released a song called "Qui c'est celui-là?" This song was a French version of "Partido Alto" by a Brazilian artist named Chico Buarque.
"Qui c'est celui-là?" sold over 300,000 copies! It became a favorite for many teenagers at the time. This song helped him stay in the memories of young people.
Unique Musical Projects
Pierre Vassiliu was always trying new things with music. With his vocal group, he brought back an old French song called "Belle qui tiens ma vie." They sang it without any instruments, which is called a cappella.
In 2002, he also sang a cover of Boby Lapointe's song "L'Été, où est-il ?" He performed this with a singer named Thallia for an album that honored Boby Lapointe.
Music and Life in Senegal
Pierre Vassiliu had a special connection to Senegal in Africa. He lived part of his life in a region of Senegal called Casamance.
In 2003, he made a CD with Senegalese griots from the Kalone Orchestra of Casamance. Griots are traditional storytellers and musicians in West Africa. This project showed his love for different cultures and music styles.
Later Life
Pierre Vassiliu passed away peacefully in his sleep in 2014. He had been battling Parkinson's disease for several years. He left behind a legacy of unique songs and performances.
