As an adolescent he was already well versed in
French poetry from
François Villon to
Alfred de Vigny. He could express himself in
Alexandrian couplets, and he started to write. A few years later he was adapting well known French songs for his friends in a restaurant trade who would play them on their premises. It was at this time in 1957 that he met
Charles Aznavour who gave him the idea of trying to cut out a living in Paris. He wrote his first songs with
Paul Mauriat. In 1958 they were prizewinners in
le Coq d'or De La Chanson Francaise in Paris with
Rendez-vous au Lavandou which was recorded by
Dalida and
Henri Salvador, to name but two. In 1960 he represented himself in this competition with
Dans un million des années. Following this he wrote many hits for the
rockabillys and others:
Laissez nous twister for les Chats Sauvages,
Daniela (their biggest hit) for
Les Chaussettes Noires, and
Oh Mary Lou and
Je for
Danyel Gérard. In 1964 he wrote the theme tune for the hit film
Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez,
Dou-liou dou-liou St-Tropez which was a great success. Two years later he wrote 'Ticket de quai' for
Annie Phillipe which shot to the top of the French charts. Between 1967 and 1972 he wrote a lot of songs with Paul Mauriat for
Mireille Mathieu: 'Mon Credo' (1,335,000 copies sold),
Viens dans ma rue,
La première étoile,
La vieille barque,
géant to name but a few. In 1971 he re-joined forces with
Paul Mauriat to write 'Soleil lèves toi' for
Caterina Valente: this song denounced the dangers and perils of
racism. During his career he also wrote for
Rika Zaraï,
Michèle Torr,
Romuald, ,
Nana Mouskouri, and
Lucky Blondo In 1969 he wrote
Catherine for Romuald who sang it at the
Eurovision Song Contest. In 1975 he won the
Rose d'Or D'Antibes with
Toi ma Princesse en blue jean, sung by
William Sailly. He was artistic director and editor,
Pierre Bellemare, producer,
Gérard Gustin the composer. In 1976
Nicoletta recorded his lyrics and arrangement of
Glory Alleilua, a hit later covered by
Celine Dion. In 1979
Danyel Gérard recorded
Marylou for which he was awarded a gold disc. In 1981, after a long and successful career, tired with the demands of the showbiz world he returned to live in the South of France, where he continued to write. He died in 2001 following a long illness. His ashes were scattered in the sea close to
Sète where he had spent his final years. ==References==