Gilbert Bécaud (24 October 1927 – 18 December 2001) was a French singer, composer and actor, known as Monsieur 100,000 Volts for his energetic performances. His best-known hits are "Nathalie" and "Et Maintenant", a 1961 release that became an English language hit as "What Now My Love".
For nearly fifty years France hummed the melodies of this music hall star, dark blue suited, white shirted, and always wearing his lucky tie - blue with white polka dots. When asked to explain his gift he said, - 'A flower doesn't understand botany.' His favourite venue was the Paris Olympia under the management of Bruno Coquatrix. He debuted there in 1954 and headlined in 1955, attracting 6,000 on his first night, three times the capacity. On the 13 November 1997 Bécaud was present for the re-opening of the venue after its reconstruction.
Gilbert Bécaud was born in Toulon, France on October 24, 1927 as François Gilbert Léopold Silly. His father abandoned the family when Gilbert was very young, but his stepfather Louis Bécaud raised him and his siblings Odette and Jean. His mother Madame Silly, a musician herself, supported Gilbert’s passion for music and he learned the piano at an early age and joined the Nice conservatory at the age of 9.
Bécaud met Édith Piaf, a very famous French singer, during an international tour with her husband Jacque Pills. She encouraged him to start his singing career in 1953 with the songs “Les croix” and “Mes mains”. The multitalented Bécaud started his acting career in 1956 with Marcel Carné’s film “Le Pays d’où je viens”, for which he also wrote the soundtrack. His singing career in the meanwhile rose to new heights and by 1960’s he was a renowned star in the international music scene.
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| Gilbert with Edith Piaf |
He was admired in 1960 by French critics with the prestigious Grand Prix du Risqué for his singing and songwriting. A year after he managed to sing the most successful song of his career, “Et maintenant”, with its English version “What now my love” becoming a huge international hit as well.
Focusing more on touring than recording into the 1970s, Bécaud did some acting work and 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.
Many famous singers including Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra covered his songs successfully giving the songwriter a credibility that lasted well beyond his living days. In 1976 he married Kitty St John. The next year he recorded “L’indifférence” with his friend and fellow songwriter Maurice Vidalin, which earned him the prestigious “Oscar de la meilleure chanson originale”. Later in 1980 his huge contribution to the French music world was accredited by the SACEM (the French association of Songwriters and Composers), and he earned one of their prestigious gold medals. He then celebrated the success of his musical “Madame Roza” which debuted in the United States.
The death of his mother and close friend Yves Montand deeply grieved Bécaud and he retreated from the music scene, even indicating an early retirement to his faithful followers. To their relief he resumed his career in 1991 and carried on till 2001 with many successful tours his last being in Fribourg, Switzerland.
After a long battle with cancer, Bécaud passed away on December 18, 2002. His son Gaya published his last album with selected songs, focusing more on the topics of God and Death to respect his deceased father. His successful career spanning over four decades gained him a huge following worldwide and his charisma and legendary energy attracted all generations alike. Gilbert Bécaud indeed left a huge mark in the French music history as a brilliant singer and songwriter.
(Edited from Wikipedia & Famous Composers)