Renaud facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Renaud
Renaud in 2017
Background information
Birth name	Renaud Pierre Manuel Séchan
Born	(1952-05-11) 11 May 1952 (age 73) Paris, France
Origin	Paris
Genres	Chanson country pop rock
Occupation(s)	Musician actor
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1975–present
Labels	Polydor (1975–1983) Virgin

Renaud Pierre Manuel Séchan (born May 11, 1952, in Paris), known simply as Renaud, is a famous French singer and songwriter.

He has released twenty-six albums and sold nearly twenty million copies, making him one of France's most loved singers. Many of his songs are very popular in France. These include "Dès que le vent soufflera" (a sea story), "Laisse béton" (a playful song), "Morgane de toi" (a sweet ballad), and "Mistral gagnant" (a nostalgic tune). His songs often use everyday French language and Parisian phrases. They talk about both fun and serious topics, mixing humor, feelings, and thoughts on society.

Renaud's music is mostly known in French-speaking countries. He has also acted in several movies, like the 1993 film Germinal.

He is sometimes called "le chanteur énervant" (the irritating singer) because he often speaks out about important causes. He cares deeply about human rights, protecting the environment, and promoting peace. These ideas are often found in his songs.

Renaud's Music Journey

Starting His Career

After finishing school, Renaud wanted to be an actor. He met actor Patrick Dewaere by chance. This led him to join a comedy theater group called Café de la Gare. This group was started by Patrick Dewaere, Coluche, and Miou-Miou.

In his early music, Renaud showed a strong personality. He used French in new ways in his lyrics. His songs often explored social and political ideas from a left-wing point of view. Even though he grew up in an educated family, Renaud chose to look and act like working-class young people in the 1970s. He showed this in his songs. A common theme in his music was his dislike for people who only cared about money or had very traditional views. His songs often highlight differences between social classes. They also question powerful leaders and strict rules. He sometimes shows tenderness for people, the Earth, and art.

Mid-Career Highlights

In 1985, Renaud performed in Moscow. During his anti-war song "Déserteur," about one-third of the audience left the concert hall. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Renaud's songs became "softer." He wrote about his wife, Dominique, his daughter Lolita, and his friends. He also wrote a tribute song, "Putain de camion" ("Bloody Lorry"), for comedian and singer Coluche after Coluche died in a road accident. Renaud also explored music from different regions of France. He sang in the language of Marseille in La Belle de Mai. He also sang in the northern French dialect in Renaud cante el' Nord, and even used Corsican polyphonic singing in "Lolito lolita."

In 1992, Renaud helped bring back the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo by giving financial support. He wrote a column for the paper for a few years. In 2006, he released a book called Les Bobos, which made fun of certain Parisian lifestyles.

In 1993, he played the main character, Étienne Lantier, in the film Germinal. This movie was directed by Claude Berri.

Coming Back Strong

One of his big hits was "Manhattan-Kaboul". This was a duet with Axelle Red. The song talked about current events by comparing a victim of the 9/11 attacks in New York with an Afghan girl. Both were caught in a war they did not understand.

In 2009, Renaud released Molly Malone – Balade irlandaise, an album of Irish folk songs. This album was very popular and sold many copies.

In 2014, a group of 15 artists released a tribute album called La Bande à Renaud. It featured their versions of 14 of his songs.

On January 26, 2016, Renaud released "Toujours debout" (Still Standing). This was the first song from his new album. He also announced the album's title, Toujours debout, on French radio. The music video for "Toujours debout" came out on February 26, 2016. On April 8, 2016, his new studio album was released. It was simply titled Renaud.

Renaud's Life Story

Renaud was born in Paris on May 11, 1952. He was born ten minutes after his twin brother, David. His mother chose the name Renaud because her mother and grandmother used to sing her a sad song called La complainte du Roi Renaud.

His father, Olivier Séchan, was a novelist and writer of children's books. He taught German in a high school in Paris. Renaud's uncle is the director Edmond Séchan. His grandfather was a famous scholar named Louis Séchan, who taught at the Sorbonne. Renaud's family history includes pastors. His mother's father was a coal miner from northern France. Renaud has honored his family roots in his work. He sang traditional songs in the regional Picard language. He also played Étienne Lantier in Germinal, a film based on the famous novel by Émile Zola.

Renaud is the sixth of his father's eight children. He has two brothers: David, his twin, and the writer Thierry Sechan. He also has two sisters. Additionally, he has two half-sisters and a half-brother from his father's first marriage.

When he was a child, Renaud lived with his grandparents in Paris. They shared two rooms with seven people. Later, his family moved to a larger apartment. This was possible because his father was a teacher and his grandfather was a well-known academic.

Between the ages of ten and twelve, he wrote stories on his father's typewriter. He also discovered Yé-yé music and the Beatles.

In August 2005, Renaud married Romane Serda. They have a son named Malone. In 2009, Renaud's daughter, writer Lolita Séchan, married French singer-songwriter Renan Luce.

Renaud's Albums

Studio Albums

Live Albums

• 1980: Bobino (Polydor)
• 1981: Le P'tit bal du samedi soir et autres chansons réalistes (Polydor)
• 1982: Un Olympia pour moi tout seul (Polydor)
• 1989: Visage pâle rencontrer public (Virgin)
• 1996: Paris-Province: Aller / Retour (Virgin)
• 2003: Tournée d'enfer (EMI)
• 2007: Tournée Rouge Sang - Paris Bercy + Hexagone (Ceci-Celà)

Renaud's Film Appearances

• Germinal (1993) as Étienne Lantier
• Crime Spree (2003) as Zéro

Awards and Recognition

• 1993: Won the Traditional Music Album of the Year award for "Renaud cante el' Nord".
• 2001: Received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his long career.
• 2003: Won three awards: Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year (for Manhattan-Kaboul with Axelle Red).

See also

In Spanish: Renaud Séchan para niños

• La Bande à Renaud