Richard Clayderman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Clayderman
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Clayderman in 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Philippe Pagès |
| Born | 28 December 1953 |
| Origin | Paris, France |
| Genres | Easy listening Romantic |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Labels | Delphine Records |
Richard Clayderman is a famous French pianist. His real name is Philippe Pagès. He was born in Paris, France, on December 28, 1953. He is known for playing beautiful, gentle piano music. His albums include his own songs, popular tunes, movie music, and classical pieces. His style is often called "easy listening" or "romantic."
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
Richard Clayderman learned to play the piano from his father. His dad was an accordion teacher. When Richard was just twelve years old, he was accepted into the Conservatoire de Paris. This is a very famous music school. He did very well there as a teenager.
However, his family faced money problems. His father became ill, which made it hard for Richard to continue his path as a classical pianist. To earn money, he worked as a bank clerk. He also played piano for different bands. He even accompanied famous French singers like Johnny Hallyday and Michel Sardou.
The Story of "Ballade pour Adeline"
In 1976, something special happened. A French music producer named Olivier Toussaint and his partner, Paul de Senneville, invited Richard to record a soft piano song. Paul de Senneville had written this song for his baby daughter, Adeline.
Richard, who was 23 at the time, was one of 20 pianists who tried out for the job. He got it! Olivier Toussaint said Richard was a great musician. He had a gentle touch and good piano skills. He also looked good, which helped.
His producers thought his real name, Philippe Pagès, might be hard for people in other countries to say. So, they chose "Clayderman" from his great-grandmother's last name. They also picked "Richard" because they liked it better than Philippe. The song they recorded was called "Ballade pour Adeline". It became a huge hit! It sold 22 million copies in 38 countries. This song became very popular in China. It was played everywhere, especially when China first opened up to the Western world. It is still loved there today.
A World-Famous Pianist
Richard Clayderman has recorded more than 1,300 different songs. He created a new romantic style of music. He plays his own original songs, classic tunes, and popular hits. By 2006, he had sold about 70 million records. He also earned 267 gold albums and 70 platinum albums.
He is especially popular in Asia. The Guinness Book of World Records even calls him "the most successful pianist in the world." He continues to perform and record music, sharing his beautiful piano melodies with fans around the globe.
Images for kids
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Clayderman in 2006
See also
In Spanish: Richard Clayderman para niños
