Christophe (singer)
Encyclopedia
Christophe is a French singer and songwriter. He was born Daniel Bevilacqua on 13 October 1945 in Juvisy-sur-Orge
, Essonne
to Italian
parents.
During his career Christophe has collaborated with diverse artistically celebrated artists such as Jean Michel Jarre
, Alan Vega
, Murcof
, Eumir Deodato
, Isabelle Adjani
, Erik Truffaz
, Florian Zeller
, Carmine Appice
, Daniel Filipacchi
, Brigitte Fontaine
, Alain Bashung
, Jac Berrocal
and Elisa Point.
From a young age, he was fascinated by the "American way of life".
Christophe vanished from the French music scene towards the end of the 1960s. In 1971, he married his girlfriend Véronique and fathered his daughter Lucie.
In 1971, Francis Dreyfus
launched the Motors label ( Disques Motors) and became the producer of Christophe records.
He came back in 1973 with "Les Paradis perdus" ("Lost Paradises"). In 1975, he recorded "Les Mots bleus" ("The Blue Words"), that was covered by Alain Bashung
in 1992 and Thierry Amiel
in 2003. The lyrics of this song were written by Jean Michel Jarre
.
In 1978, he came back with "Le Beau Bizarre" ("The Beautiful Freak"). In 1983, Christophe released yet another hit single "Succès fou" (Crazy Success) selling over 60,000 records. In 1984, Christophe released "Clichés d'amour" in which he sang memorable 40's and 50's classics such as "Arrivederci Roma" and "Dernier baiser" a French version of the Mexican classic "Besame mucho" written by Consuelito Velazquez. In 1985, he wrote "Ne raccroche pas" ("Don't Hang Up!") a song which he hinted at Princess Stephanie of Monaco
. The following year, he wrote the song "Boule de flipper" for Corynne Charby
.
In 1988, he released "Chiqué chiqué".
In 1996, he had a major comeback with his album "Bevilacqua". An electronic experimentation that marked a new direction in his sound.
In 2001, he released another well achieved and critical acclaimed album named "Comm'si la terre penchait..." (As if the earth was Leaning). In February 2002, Christophe performed, in Clermont Ferrand, his first live concert in 27 years, followed by two appearances at the Olympia in March 2002.
In 2008, he released the album "Aimer ce que nous sommes" continuing his cinematographic experimental musical paths.
He is married to Veronique Kan.
Juvisy-sur-Orge
Juvisy-sur-Orge is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France.Inhabitants of Juvisy-sur-Orge are known as Juvisiens.-Geography:Neighboring communes:* Athis-Mons* Draveil* Savigny-sur-Orge* Viry-Châtillon...
, Essonne
Essonne
Essonne is a French department in the region of Île-de-France. It is named after the Essonne River.It was formed on 1 January 1968 when Seine-et-Oise was split into smaller departments.- History :...
to Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
parents.
During his career Christophe has collaborated with diverse artistically celebrated artists such as Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel André Jarre is a French composer, performer and music producer. He is a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and New Age genres, and known as an organiser of outdoor spectacles of his music featuring lights, laser displays, and fireworks.Jarre was raised in Lyon by his mother and...
, Alan Vega
Alan Vega
Alan Vega For several years other sources stated that he was born in 1948 – see 'Myth' section is an American vocalist, primarily known for his work with electronic protopunk duo, Suicide...
, Murcof
Murcof
Murcof is the performing and recording name of Mexican electronica artist Fernando Corona.Corona was born in 1970 in Tijuana, Mexico and raised in Ensenada. He was for a time a member of the Tijuana-based Nortec Collective of electronic musicians under the Terrestre project name...
, Eumir Deodato
Eumir Deodato
Eumir Deodato is a Brazilian pianist, composer, record producer and arranger, primarily based in the jazz realm but who historically has been known for eclectic melding of big band and combo jazz with varied elements of rock/pop, R&B/funk, Brazilian/Latin, and symphonic or orchestral music.Mainly,...
, Isabelle Adjani
Isabelle Adjani
Isabelle Yasmine Adjani is a French film actress and singer. Adjani has appeared in 30 films since 1970. She holds the record for most César Awards for Best Actress with five, for Possession , One Deadly Summer , Camille Claudel , Queen Margot and Skirt Day...
, Erik Truffaz
Erik Truffaz
Erik Truffaz is a Swiss-born French jazz trumpeter, infusing elements of hip hop, rock and roll and dance music into his compositions. He signed with the French EMI label in 1996. Truffaz gained international attention with his second album on Blue Note, The Dawn, produced together with Pat...
, Florian Zeller
Florian Zeller
Florian Zeller is a French novelist and playwright. His work has been translated into a dozen languages, including English. He won the Prix Interallié in 2004 for his novel "Fascination of Evil" ....
, Carmine Appice
Carmine Appice
Carmine Appice is an American rock drummer of Italian background and is the older brother of drummer Vinny Appice by 12 years. He received a classical music training and was influenced by the jazz drumming of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa early on...
, Daniel Filipacchi
Daniel Filipacchi
Daniel Filipacchi is the Chairman Emeritus of Hachette Filipacchi Médias.His life and career have been noted for his passionate involvement in art collecting, photography, and jazz...
, Brigitte Fontaine
Brigitte Fontaine
Brigitte Fontaine, born in 1939 in Morlaix in the Brittany region of France, is a singer of avant-garde music. During the course of her career she has employed numerous unusual musical styles, melding rock and roll, folk, jazz, electronica, spoken word poetry and world rhythms...
, Alain Bashung
Alain Bashung
Alain Bashung was a French singer, songwriter and actor.- Youth :Alain Bashung was the son of a Breton factory worker and French Kabyle father, whom he never knew. His mother remarried, and at the age of one, Bashung was sent to Strasbourg to live with his new stepfather's parents...
, Jac Berrocal
Jac Berrocal
Jacques "Jac" Berrocal is a French trumpeter, singer and composer. He has been active since the 1970s in the independent and avant-garde music scene, and has released many albums. He also founded and performed in the group Catalogue, and has collaborated with Ron Anderson...
and Elisa Point.
Career
Christophe's first hit was Aline, in 1965. He is famous for his eternal song "Oh!... Mon Amour" that he sang in French and Italian.From a young age, he was fascinated by the "American way of life".
Christophe vanished from the French music scene towards the end of the 1960s. In 1971, he married his girlfriend Véronique and fathered his daughter Lucie.
In 1971, Francis Dreyfus
Francis Dreyfus
Francis Dreyfus was a French record producer, who focused on jazz and electronic music, publishing Jean-Michel Jarre's first commercially successful work, Oxygène....
launched the Motors label ( Disques Motors) and became the producer of Christophe records.
He came back in 1973 with "Les Paradis perdus" ("Lost Paradises"). In 1975, he recorded "Les Mots bleus" ("The Blue Words"), that was covered by Alain Bashung
Alain Bashung
Alain Bashung was a French singer, songwriter and actor.- Youth :Alain Bashung was the son of a Breton factory worker and French Kabyle father, whom he never knew. His mother remarried, and at the age of one, Bashung was sent to Strasbourg to live with his new stepfather's parents...
in 1992 and Thierry Amiel
Thierry Amiel
Thierry Amiel is a French singer and songwriter from Marseille, France. He rose to fame after coming in second place to Jonatan Cerrada on the first edition of the French 'Pop Idol', À la Recherche de la Nouvelle Star.-Biography:...
in 2003. The lyrics of this song were written by Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel André Jarre is a French composer, performer and music producer. He is a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and New Age genres, and known as an organiser of outdoor spectacles of his music featuring lights, laser displays, and fireworks.Jarre was raised in Lyon by his mother and...
.
In 1978, he came back with "Le Beau Bizarre" ("The Beautiful Freak"). In 1983, Christophe released yet another hit single "Succès fou" (Crazy Success) selling over 60,000 records. In 1984, Christophe released "Clichés d'amour" in which he sang memorable 40's and 50's classics such as "Arrivederci Roma" and "Dernier baiser" a French version of the Mexican classic "Besame mucho" written by Consuelito Velazquez. In 1985, he wrote "Ne raccroche pas" ("Don't Hang Up!") a song which he hinted at Princess Stephanie of Monaco
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Countess of Polignac is a member of the princely family of Monaco. She is the youngest child of Grace, Princess of Monaco and Rainier III of Monaco, and the sister of Albert II of Monaco and Princess Caroline...
. The following year, he wrote the song "Boule de flipper" for Corynne Charby
Corynne Charby
Corynne Charby is a French actress, pop singer and model.-Modeling:Born Corinne Charbit in Paris, Charby grew up in France, and left school after the troisième . In the late 70s, she began a successful career as a model...
.
In 1988, he released "Chiqué chiqué".
In 1996, he had a major comeback with his album "Bevilacqua". An electronic experimentation that marked a new direction in his sound.
In 2001, he released another well achieved and critical acclaimed album named "Comm'si la terre penchait..." (As if the earth was Leaning). In February 2002, Christophe performed, in Clermont Ferrand, his first live concert in 27 years, followed by two appearances at the Olympia in March 2002.
In 2008, he released the album "Aimer ce que nous sommes" continuing his cinematographic experimental musical paths.
Personal life
In the 1970s, Christophe was plagued with alcoholism and drug abuse that took a toll on his life suffering from a nervous breakdown and depression, following his breakup with his girlfriend Aline, the inspiration for his hit song.He is married to Veronique Kan.
Studio Albums
- Christophe (1965, Disc'AZ)
- Les Paradis Perdus (1973, Motors)
- Les Mots Bleus (1974, Motors)
- Samouraï (1976, Motors)
- La Dolce Vita (1977, Motors)
- Le Beau Bizarre (1978, Motors)
- Pas Vu, Pas Pris (1980, Motors)
- Clichés D'Amour (1983, Motors)
- Bevilacqua (1996, Epic)
- Comm'Si La Terre Penchait... (2001, Mercury)
- Aimer ce que nous sommes (2008)
Compilations
- Mon Univers (1996, Motors) 1965–1988
- Best Of (2002, Dreyfus) 1965–1988
- Best Of (2006, Dreyfus) 1965–1988
External links
- Biography of Christophe
- 'L'un Dans l'Autre' recording of the song by Erik TruffazErik TruffazErik Truffaz is a Swiss-born French jazz trumpeter, infusing elements of hip hop, rock and roll and dance music into his compositions. He signed with the French EMI label in 1996. Truffaz gained international attention with his second album on Blue Note, The Dawn, produced together with Pat...
featuring Christophe - Listen to Christophe's discography