Ten years ago, Gilbert Bécaud, the famous French crooner that brought us Et Maintenant (“What Now My Love” performed by many artists including Frank Sinatra) left this world at the age 74.  He was in one of his favorite place, his houseboat (péniche) on the Seine.  Also called “Monsieur 100,000 Volts” (Mister 100,000 Volts) because he had such energy on stage, he was a big part of  ”La Chanson Française” (along with Charles Aznavour, Yves Montand, Édith Piaf, Charles Trenet, etc).  He is resting now at the cimetière du Père Lachaise in Paris (Père Lachaise Cemetery) next to other famous artists — Édith Piaf, Yves Montand, Tino Rossi, Dalida, Charles Trenet, the american singer Jim Morrison and many others.  Among his famous titles are:

• Et Maintenant – What Now My Love
• Nathalie – Natalie
• Quand Il Est Mort Le Poète – When The Poet Died
• L’Important C’Est La Rose – What’s Important Is The Rose
• Charlie, T’iras Pas Au Paradis - Charlie, You Won’t Go To Heaven
• Les Marchés de Provence – The Farmers Markets In Provence

And another song, lesser known but that we like very much is: Dimanche à Orly (Sunday in Orly).

Gilbert Bécaud – Already 10 Years (10 Ans Déjà)

Gilbert Bécaud (1927-2001)

 

Gilbert Bécaud sings “Et Maintenant”

Check below to see Gilbert Bécaud singing one of his most famous song “Et Maintenant” (What Now My Love) – with his classic blue suit and tie, his trademark.  This was in 1987 live at the Olympia in Paris for a famous TV show entertaining many French families on Saturday nights: Champs-Élysées presented by Michel Drucker.  Enjoy!

 Gilbert Bécaud, Et Maintenant –  Champs-Élysées, 1987