Julien Clerc

Paul-Alain Auguste Leclerc (born 4 October 1947), better known by his stage name Julien Clerc (pronounced [ʒyljɛ̃ klɛʁ]), is a French singer-songwriter.

He rose to fame with his song "La cavalerie" (1968), that captured the "rebellious essence" of those times and became an anthem of the French youth. Among Clerc's most known songs are "Ce n'est rien" (1971), "Si on chantait" (1972), "Ma préférence" (1978), "Femmes... Je vous aime" (1982), "Mélissa" (1984), "Hélène" (1987), "Fais-moi une place" (1990).

Life

Born in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, Clerc grew up listening to classical music in his father Paul Leclerc's home, while his mother Évelyne Merlot introduced him to the music of such singers as Georges Brassens and Edith Piaf. He began to learn the piano at six, and by 13, started to play by ear everything he heard on the radio.

During his secondary school and university days, he met Maurice Vallet and Etienne Roda-Gil, two of his main songwriters, and began to compose his first songs. He changed his name to Julien Clerc upon signing a contract with Pathé Marconi, releasing his first album in May 1968.

The album went on to win the Académie Charles Cros Record Award. In 1969, Clerc went on the Olympia stage for the first time to open for Gilbert Becaud's concert. Despite having been in show business for only one year, his performance was a great success. He would later return repeatedly to the Olympia for a series of concerts.

From May 1969 to February 1970, he starred in the highly successful Paris run of the musical Hair, which increased his profile.

By the age of 24, Clerc was a major star and had recorded numerous hits, many of which were sold abroad, translated and distributed in other languages.