In spite of the fact that the man was 90, the death of Henri Salvador – announced round noon today – made all headlines and will certainly remain on top of the news for a few days in France. The singer composed the 1962 Monegasque entry, Dis rien, performed by François Deguelt, who reached second place, in Luxembourg.
Born in French Guyana in 1917, Henri Salvador was an artist of many talents : comedian, jazz man, guitar player and singer. He gained a lot of success with songs he composed himself, such as Une chanson douce, Le loup, la biche et le chevalier or Syracuse, a classic, which was recorded by hundreds of artists, including Viktor Lazlo.
Salvador was also associated with international hit The lion sleeps tonight, which he adapted in French and German.Eight years ago, in 2000, Henri Salvador was back in the business with an album penned by rising names of the French chanson, Benjamin Biolay and Keren Ann. The result was a enormous success. Salvador gave his "farewell" concert last December at the Palais des Congrès, in Paris.
