Gilbert Bécaud

French singer, composer and actor. He was born 24 October 1927 in Toulon, France and died 18 December 2001 in Paris, France.

Known as Monsieur 100,000 Volts for his energetic performances. His best-known hit is probably "Et Maintenant", a 1961 release that became an English language hit after being translated into "What Now My Love". Many of his songs were huge worldwide hits "Je t'appartiens" (in English "Let it be me"), "Le jour où la pluie viendra" (in English "The day the rains came", in German "Am Tag als der Regen kam"), "Seul sur son étoile" (in English "It must be him"), "September Morn" and "Love on the rocks" co-written with Neil Diamond. He first composed songs for Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, Jean Sablon, Dalida, Charles Aznavour and was sung by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, Marlene Dietrich, Shirley Bassey, Bob Dylan, Juliette Gréco, Willie Nelson, Patricia Kaas etc.

Father of Jennifer Woollacott