Gilbert Becaud

About Gilbert Becaud

Who is it?: Singer
Birth Day: October 24, 1927
Birth Place: Toulon, French
Birth name: François Gilbert Léopold Silly
Also known as: Monsieur 100,000 Volts
Genres: Contemporary music, jazz
Occupation(s): Musician Composer Actor
Instruments: Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active: 1948–2001

Gilbert Becaud

Gilbert Becaud was born on October 24, 1927 in Toulon, French, is Singer. Gilbert Becaud is undoubtedly one of the few eminent individuals who revolutionized French music. After a brief stint with the French army, this man decided to completely devote his time towards his passion. This prominent man belonging to the field of music started off penning songs in 1948 and since then his career just soared higher and higher. His path-breaking performance at a musical venue made the crowd go berserk in excitement, which was not something which happened during its time, earning him the title of a ‘Monsieur 100,000 Volts’. During the early days of his career, Gilbert proved his prowess as a musician through singles like ‘Les Croinx’ and ‘Mes Mains’. Since then, the musician has known for being the genius behind more than a dozen albums. A few of these include ‘Alors Raconte’, ‘Le Bateau Blanc’, ‘Le Retour’ and ‘Ensemble’. Apart from sticking to penning songs and composing albums, which was his forte, Becaud even ventured into doing opera comedies and musicals. Although he did not produce prominent works during the 1980s and 90s, his earlier songs continued being popular and were compiled into different albums. One of his songs even featured in a movie titled ‘Leon’, as a tribute to his musical genius
Gilbert Becaud is a member of Singers

Does Gilbert Becaud Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, Gilbert Becaud has been died on 18 December 2001(2001-12-18) (aged 74)\nParis, France.

🎂 Gilbert Becaud - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

When Gilbert Becaud die, Gilbert Becaud was 74 years old.

Popular As Gilbert Becaud
Occupation Singers
Age 74 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born October 24, 1927 (Toulon, French)
Birthday October 24
Town/City Toulon, French
Nationality French

🌙 Zodiac

Gilbert Becaud’s zodiac sign is Scorpio. According to astrologers, Scorpio-born are passionate and assertive people. They are determined and decisive, and will research until they find out the truth. Scorpio is a great leader, always aware of the situation and also features prominently in resourcefulness. Scorpio is a Water sign and lives to experience and express emotions. Although emotions are very important for Scorpio, they manifest them differently than other water signs. In any case, you can be sure that the Scorpio will keep your secrets, whatever they may be.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Gilbert Becaud was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rabbit enjoy being surrounded by family and friends. They’re popular, compassionate, sincere, and they like to avoid conflict and are sometimes seen as pushovers. Rabbits enjoy home and entertaining at home. Compatible with Goat or Pig.

Some Gilbert Becaud images

Biography/Timeline

1942

Born François Gilbert Léopold Silly in Toulon, Bécaud learned to play the piano at a young age, and then went to the Conservatoire de Nice. In 1942, he left school to join the French Resistance during World War II. He began songwriting in 1948, after meeting Maurice Vidalin, who inspired him to write his early compositions. He began writing for Marie Bizet; Bizet, Bécaud and Vidalin became a successful trio, and their partnership lasted until 1950.

1953

While touring with Jacques Pills as a Pianist, Bécaud met Édith Piaf, the wife of Jacques Pills at the time. He began singing at her suggestion in 1953, with "Mes Mains" and "Les Croix". His first performance came the year after. His hits in the later part of the decade included La Corrida (1956), Le Jour où la Pluie Viendra (1957) and C'est Merveilleux L'amour (1958).

1958

His first hit in the English-speaking world was Jane Morgan's cover version of "Le Jour où la Pluie Viendra" (as "The Day the Rains Came", with English lyrics by Carl Sigman) in 1958. He began acting in the same period, starting with "Le Pays D'où Je Viens" (1956). In 1960, he won a Grand Prix du Disque and composed L'enfant à L'étoile, a Christmas cantata. That same year, Let It Be Me, an English version of his Je t'appartiens, became a hit for the Everly Brothers, followed, over the years, by Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Jerry Butler, Sam & Dave and James Brown.

1962

In 1961, Bécaud wrote and recorded "Et Maintenant", one of the biggest selling singles in French history. Translated as "What Now My Love", the song became a hit by Shirley Bassey, Sonny & Cher, Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, Andy Williams, Herb Alpert and Frank Sinatra. In 1962, he completed his largest composition, the 2-act opera L'Opéra d'Aran, which was premiered at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on 25 October 1962 (Georges Prêtre conductor). The plot of the opera takes place on the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, although Bécaud up to that point had never been to Ireland.

1964

He wrote the song "Nathalie" to the text by Pierre Delanoë about a Moscow female guide in 1964. Becaud visited Moscow in 1965 allegedly invited by students. The Czech Writer Bohumil Doležal commented the song describing the guide as a KGB officer. A Russian Blogger believes that guides reported to KGB officers. The song has been used to soften the image of the Soviet Union, even if Pierre Delanoë was anti-Soviet.

1967

His song "Seul sur son étoile" became "It Must Be Him" (with English lyrics by Mack David), a hit in 1967 for the American singer Vikki Carr, and the following year another Bécaud song, "L'important c'est la rose" was given an English lyric (by Norman Newell) and became a hit for the British singer Vince Hill under the title "Importance of Your Love".

1968

On 19 June 1968, the American Broadcasting Company aired a half-hour color special starring Bécaud that had been taped in Saarbrücken. Bécaud performed "Nathalie", "Mademoiselle Lise" and "The Day the Rains Came" and sang a duet with Inge Brück, "Sand and Sea". The programme also featured performances by João Gilberto, Lill Lindfors and Hans Koller.

1970

Bécaud turned his focus more toward touring than recording in the 1970s. An Example was his live performance at the festival The Golden Orpheus in June 1971 in Communist Bulgaria. He followed this with some acting work and at last finally took time off in 1973, citing exhaustion. In 1974, he was named Chevalier in the Légion d'honneur. The following year, he scored his one and only entry on the UK Singles Chart with "A Little Love and Understanding" which reached number 10 in the Spring. Later in the century, he began writing with Pierre Grosz and then Neil Diamond, also penning the Broadway musical Roza with Julian More.

1982

In 1982, he recorded the duet "L'Amour est mort" with Québécoise singer Martine St. Clair at the start of her career.

2001

The 1980s and 1990s saw a slowdown of Bécaud's activity. He released various compilations and toured occasionally. On December 18, 2001, he died from cancer, aged 74, on his houseboat on the Seine and was interred in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Bécaud's song catalogue, running to around 450 songs, is published by BMG Music Publishing.

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