For many French music followers, their favourite performer is Julien Clerc, a singer-songwriter with an unlimited repertoire of songs and a profession that has endured with constant success for the reason that Nineteen Sixties.
Born Paul-Alain Leclerc in Paris in 1947 (his father was a senior official at UNESCO, and his grandfather was from Guadeloupe), he was studious as a teen, taking the distinguished Sciences-Po examination, earlier than enrolling within the Faculty of Law in Paris in September 1966. He additionally studied English on the Sorbonne. But by 1968, he had deserted his research and launched his first single, insurgent tune The cavalrywhich was a success in the course of the May 68 upheaval. He adopted this with two extra singles earlier than releasing his first album in 1969. That 12 months, he took to the stage to star within the musical Hair, emblematic of the hippie motion.
The Seventies have been a prolific interval, with a slew of hit albums but it surely was the Nineteen Eighties that noticed him established on the high desk of French tune performers. He additionally reduce his trademark curly hair off for a better look. Fast ahead to 2025 and Clerc exhibits no indicators of slowing down – he has a brand new album out, A Lifehis twenty eighth, and is touring from February 2026.
Sounds much like…
Georges-Braens-His-most-beautiful-songs
GEORGES BRASSENS
He grew up listening to his dad and mom’ music, together with the Sète-born singer. His most stunning Standard songs.
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THE CREOLE COMPANY
Clerc’s grandfather was born in Guadeloupe. Get into the French West Indian temper with this traditional. Best of Sony.
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RENAUD
Clerc has penned many songs for others, together with three for Renaud’s album launched in 1994. A la belle de mai Parlophone.
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From France Today Magazine
Lead photograph credit score: @antoncorbijn4real
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