“She may be the face I cannot forget. She may be the beauty or the beast, the famine or the feast.”
“She” was composed by Charles Aznavour.
Shahnour Variag Aznavourian was born in Paris, France May 22, 1924 to Armenian parents. His father sang in restaurants in France before opening a Caucasian restaurant called Le Caucase. Charles began performing at an early age and dropped out of school at age nine to take the stage name Aznavour.
When the Germans occupied France in World War II, 1940-1944, Aznavour’s family hid a number of individuals who were persecuted by the Nazis. Their work would be recognized in a statement issued in 2017 by Reuven Rivlin, president of Israel. The Raoul Wallenberg Award was given to them for sheltering Jews at their Paris flat during the War.
At age nine Aznavour had roles in a play called Un Petit Diable a Paris and in a film entitled La Guerre des Gosses. He performed in nightclubs, singing and dancing. He wrote his first song entitled J’ai Bu in 1950. It was the first one of the more than 1,000 songs he wrote or co-wrote. He had heard a Maurice Chevalier song and decided to become a chansonnier.
During the early stages of his career, he opened for Edith Piaf at the Moulin Rouge. His distinctive voice and boyish good looks led him to become a major success in Europe and eventually the world. His 1974 song “She” was number one on the UK singles chart for four weeks during a 14-week run. It is a haunting melody, poignant, and touching, which I never tire of hearing.
His distinctive tenor was clear and ringing in its upper ranges and gravelly and profound with low notes. His 1973 “The Old Fashioned Way” was on the UK charts for 15 weeks. He recorded 91 studio albums.
He sang for presidents, popes, and royalty, as well at humanitarian events. In 2009 he was appointed ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland as well as Armenia’s permanent delegate to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. He became one of France’s most popular and enduring singers. Selling 180 million records and called France’s Frank Sinatra, Charles enjoyed a career lasting 70 years. He recorded 1,200 songs which were interpreted in nine languages.
For his lifetime of work, he received many honors. Aznavour was named “Entertainer of the Century” by CNN in 1998. He sang with nearly every recognizable name including Placido Domingo, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Tom Jones, Julio Iglesias, and Luciano Pavarotti. His voice entertained the world with performances in Moscow, Canada, Japan, Asia, Portugal, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, and the U.S..
At the beginning of Autumn 2006, he initiated his farewell tour performing in the U.S. and Canada. He returned to Paris for 20 shows at the Palais des Congres followed by more touring in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the rest of France. In his final years he sang in several languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, or Italian. When he sang with Luciano Pavarotti, the song “Ave Maria”, was two angelic voices in an unforgettable duet.
He was married three times and had six children. His rich life was well-lived. He said “Live now. Tomorrow, who knows?”
Charles Aznavour died October 1, 2018 at age 94 and is buried at Montfort-l’Amaury (Yvelines,) France. His recorded voice remains to enchant and delight. His true soul poetry lives.