Léo Ferré
Although little known in English speaking countries, Léo Ferré (1916-1993) is a monument of French chanson, revered throughout the francophone world. A singer, songwriter, author, composer, and even orchestra conductor, he is mostly remembered for songs like "Avec le Temps," "Les Anarchistes," and "Jolie Môme." His career began in the cabaret and took him through four decades and a number of styles, but his best material and his popularity peak happened in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, as the generation of May ‘68 adopted him as an anarchist figure.
Léo Ferré was born and raised in the principality of Monaco, between France and Italy. Throughout his life, the artist would live and work in the two countries alternately, even recording a few songs in Italian. He completed his college studies in 1934 in Rome. Since his father refused to let him go to the music conservatory, he went to Paris for studies in law, earning a diploma in Political Sciences in 1939. The second World War dragged him into the military and upon Paris' capitulation he fled back to Monaco. He got married for the first time in 1943, began to work at Radio Monte-Carlo, and wrote his first songs.
After the Liberation (1945) Ferré gave his first performances in Parisian cabarets, encouraged by Charles Trenet, Edith Piaf, and Juliette Gréco who would sing many of his songs. His first wife divorced him in 1950. Shortly after, he met Madeleine Rabereau, who would become his second wife and have a decisive influence on his career, pushing him constantly forward. He cut his first 78 rpms for Le Chant du Monde and wrote his first piece of "serious" music, the oratorio "La Chanson du Mal-Aimé." In 1953, Ferré was signed by the record label Odéon and recorded his first LP which includes "Paris-Canaille."
In the late ‘50s and early ‘60s he recorded a series of albums devoted to French poets, interspersed with LPs of his own songs. His lyrics alternate between love topics and a social commentary that grows more and more bitter: "Thank You Satan," "Mon Général" (against Charles De Gaulle), "Ni Dieu, Ni Maître." When the events of May ‘68 take place, Ferré is at a popular and artistic peak. Now forever associated to the Anarchist movement, he let himself be transported by the younger generation. He abandoned the over-emphatic, theatrical style of singing that was also Jacques Brel's trademark, recorded and toured with the rock group Zoo, and included monologues in his concerts. In October 1970 came out the single "Avec le Temps." It became his signature song.
Starting in 1975, Ferré attempted a career in classical music, conducting orchestras for his works and classics (he recorded works by Beethoven and Ravel). For the next decade he continued to release albums and tour, but his prime had passed. His writings and television appearances were feeding his popularity more than his musical production of the time, and by 1985 he had considerably slowed down his activities. He was preparing a come back to the stage when illness struck in 1992. He died in July 1993 at age 77.
© François Couture /TiVo
Similar artists
-
Léo Chante Paname (HD Remastered)
Franse chansons - Released by Reborn recordings on 8 feb. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Remasters (All Tracks Remastered)
Franse chansons - Released by Millennium Digital Remaster on 29 aug. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Enjoy Your Time
Franse chansons - Released by cappo digital on 15 jun. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Gaudy Colours
Franse chansons - Released by cappo digital on 26 apr. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Black Or White
Franse chansons - Released by Belle Wood on 1 jan. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Christmas Magic
Franse chansons - Released by cappo digital on 30 dec. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Christmas Bells Are Ringing
Franse chansons - Released by Belle Wood on 18 dec. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Expensive Bling
Franse chansons - Released by cappo digital on 23 apr. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Les Chansons Medley: L'Ile Saint-Louis / Barbarie / Le Bateau Espagnol / La Vie D'Artiste / Les Forains / L'Esprit De Famille / La Chanson Du Scaphandrier / L'Inconnue De Londres / A Saint-Germain-Des-Prés / Flamenco De Paris / Monsieur Tout-Blanc
Franse chansons - Released by JB Production on 19 mei 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Le piano du pauvre
Franse chansons - Released by Milestones Records on 1 jan. 1954
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Le Grand Ferré (HD Remastered)
Franse chansons - Released by Reborn recordings on 8 feb. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Holy Christmas Voices
Franse chansons - Released by HCVVV Voices timeless on 15 dec. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Back To Black And White
Franse chansons - Released by btbaw sounds on 24 jul. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ice And Cream
Franse chansons - Released by iceandcream music on 28 jun. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Guitar Town Music
Franse chansons - Released by GTM restart rec. on 12 jun. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Java partout / Mon sebasto (Remastered 2019)
Franse chansons - Released by Hit Singles Records on 25 aug. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
La vie d'artiste
Franse chansons - Released by Milestones Records on 1 sep. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Golden Planet
Franse chansons - Released by 69 digitalo on 9 aug. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Revolver Hits
Franse chansons - Released by sandero classics sound engine on 8 jun. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
La Langue Française / La vie d'artiste (All Tracks Remastered)
Franse chansons - Released by Hit Singles Records on 10 feb. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sailing
Franse chansons - Released by getmyhits again rec. on 13 sep. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo