Claude Francois – The french pop singer of the 20th

Intro:

Claude Antoine Marie François, also known by the nickname Cloclo, was a French pop singer, composer, songwriter, music producer, drummer and dancer.

François sold some 70 million records during his career (and after his death) and was about to embark for the United States when he was accidentally electrocuted in March 1978 at age 39.

Claude was born in Egypt and moved to France with his family in 1956.

On his own, Claude learned to play the drums. He started to sing in a hotel and Claude’s show was well-received and he began to perform at the glamorous night-clubs along the Frecnh Riviera.

He moved to Paris to pursue his career. At the time, American rock and roll was taking hold in France and he took a job as part of a singing group to make a living.

One of the first song of Claude Francois was (in 1962) a cover version in French of an Everly Brothers song, “Girls Girls Girls”, under the name “Belle Belle Belle”:

In 1963 he followed the first success with another French adaptation of an American song, this time recording “If I Had a Hammer” and “Walk Right In” in French as “Si j’avais un marteau” and “Marche Tout Droit”:

“Cloclo” was very famous for his show with female dancers. Named “Les Claudettes”:

In 1967, he and Jacques Revaux (French songwriter) wrote and composed a song  called “Comme d’habitude” (“As Usual”), which became a hit in Francophone countries. Canadian singing star Paul Anka reworked it for the English-speaking public into the now legendary hit most famously sung by Frank Sinatra as “My Way” in 1969. And also sung by Elvis Presley in 1973.

The french version sung by Claude Francois:

The English version sung by Frank Sinatra :

The English version sung by Elvis Presley (which one do you prefer?):

More famous songs of Cloclo…

“Alexandrie Alexandra” is a disco song, as you can see in the video, he was accompanied by “Les Claudettes”:

Among his most famous songs are “Le Téléphone Pleure”, “Le lundi au soleil”, “Magnolias for Ever” and “Cette année là”:

The end… While taking a bath, he noticed that the light fixture was not straight on the wall; he stood up, tried to straighten it and was electrocuted.

Place Claude-François in Paris was named in his memory; it is located right in front of the building where he died.

For many french people it was a sad time but he will always remain in the French musical culture.

I’m Ilana, a french ola hadasha and for me it was important to make my book on a french singer and make this artist known to israelis. I hope you enjoy the music and you learned about Claude Francois.

Toda