Claude Francois Paintings

Claude François, also known as 'Cloclo', was a French pop singer, songwriter, and dancer, not to be confused with a visual artist. Born on February 1, 1942, in Ismaïlia, Egypt, to a French father and an Italian mother, he lived a significant part of his early life in Egypt before moving to France. François is best known for his pop and disco music that resonated with the French audience from the 1960s until his untimely death in 1978.

His career kicked off in the late 1950s when he moved to Paris and began working in the music industry. François achieved his first major success with the song 'Belles! Belles! Belles!' in 1962. He followed this with a string of hits including 'Si j'avais un marteau' (If I Had a Hammer), 'La Ferme du Bonheur', and 'Comme d'habitude', which became a global hit when adapted into 'My Way' by Paul Anka and famously performed by Frank Sinatra.

François was not only a successful singer but also a savvy businessman. He founded his own record label, Flèche, in 1968, which helped him maintain control over his music production and marketing. He was known for his energetic stage performances and his ability to captivate audiences with his charismatic presence.

Tragically, Claude François died on March 11, 1978, at the age of 39. He was accidentally electrocuted when he tried to fix a broken light bulb while standing in a filled bathtub in his Paris apartment. His untimely death shocked the nation and led to widespread mourning among his fans. Despite his death, his music remains popular, and he is remembered as an icon of French pop music.