French crooner and actor who sold 180 million records dies at age of 94
Charles aznavour– the french crooner and actor whose performing career spanned eight decades – has died at the age of 94.
One of France’s most recognised faces, Aznavour sang to sold-out concert halls until the end, resorting to a prompter only after having written upwards of 1,000 songs, including the classic La Bohe- me. Often compared to Frank Sinatra, Aznavour started his career as a songwriter for Edith Piaf. The French chanteuse took him under her wing and like her, his fame ultimately reached well outside France.
In a career that spanned 80 years, Aznavour sold more than 180 million records, according to his official biography. He broke an arm in May last year, but was set to start a new tour next month in France, starting in Paris.
Aznavour was one of the Armenian diaspora’s most recognised voices and vocal defenders, but he sang in numerous languages, particularly English. His reputation in the US spanned generations.
French president Emmanuel Macron said he had invited Aznavour to attend the coming Francophonie summit starting on 10 October in Armenia where he was expected to sing.
Aznavour recently said he felt “alive”, joking he and his sister had made the decision to live beyond 100 years old.
Shanoun Varenagh Aznavourian was born in Paris on 22 May 1924 to Armenian parents who fled to Paris in the 1920s and opened a restaurant.
His singer father and actress mother exposed him to the performing arts early on and he acted in his first play when he was nine.
Aznavour,whocutthearmenian suffix from his stage name, decided to switch to music, but still acted in films throughout his career.
His movie credits include Francois Truffaut’s 1960 Tirez sur le Pianiste (Shoot the Pianist), Volker Schloendorff ’s 1979 Die Blechtrommel (The Tin Drum) and Atom Egoyan’s 2002 Ararat.
Aznavour’s love ballad She topped British charts for four weeks in 1974 and was covered by Elvis Costello for the film Notting Hill.