Étienne Roda-Gil facts for kids
Étienne Roda-Gil (born August 1, 1941, in Septfonds, France – died May 31, 2004, in Paris) was a talented French songwriter and screenwriter. He was known for writing many popular songs for famous singers. He also believed in a society where people could organize themselves freely, without a strong central government.
Étienne Roda-Gil's Life Story
Étienne Roda-Gil was born in a special camp in Septfonds, France. His parents were refugees who had left Spain because of a conflict called the Spanish Civil War. His father, Antonio Roda Vallès, was part of a workers' group that believed in freedom and self-organization.
In the early 1950s, Étienne's family moved to Antony, a suburb near Paris. He studied at a school called Lycée Henri IV. In 1959, when he was asked to join the military in Algeria, Roda-Gil instead went to London. There, he became involved with groups that supported freedom and rock-and-roll music. He later returned to France.
Roda-Gil took part in youth groups that believed in freedom and was active in the big social changes that happened in France in May 1968.
In 1968, he met singer Julien Clerc in a café in Paris. Roda-Gil soon became the main songwriter for Julien Clerc. He also wrote songs for many other well-known artists, including Mort Shuman, Angelo Branduardi, Barbara, Vanessa Paradis, Johnny Hallyday, Claude François, Juliette Gréco, and the band Malicorne.
In 1989, he received a major award for songwriting from SACEM. SACEM is a French organization that protects the rights of authors, composers, and music publishers. He also won another SACEM award in 1993.
Étienne Roda-Gil passed away in Paris on May 31, 2004.
Family Life
Étienne Roda-Gil was married to a painter named Nadine Delahaye. They were married from 1965 until Nadine's death in 1990.
Creative Works
Étienne Roda-Gil created many different works:
- Mala Pata (a book published in 1992)
- Over 700 songs for various artists
- Juin 36 (a rock opera)
- Café, sang, sucre (a musical show)
- Che Guevara (an oratorio, which is like a musical story)
- ça ira (an opera)
