Gilbert Becaud

The musician tied the knot with a woman named Monique Nicolas in 1952. Gilbert later fathered three children, namely Gaya Philippe and Anne. However, this relationship didn’t last too long.

He was also involved in a relationship with a woman named Janet Woollacoot. The duo became parents to a baby girl named Jennifer during the 1960’s.

Becaud then entered the wedlock with a woman named Kitty St John in 1976. It’s believed that the couple had already become parents to a baby girl named Emily, prior to their marriage.

Gilbert was born on October 24, 1927 in a city named Toulon, located in the South Eastern region of France. He was originally christened Francois Gilbert Leopold Silly. He developed an interest towards Piano at a really young age.

His father ignored their family, after which his mother got involved in a relationship with a man named Louis Becaud. It was Louis who played a great role in the upbringing of the lad as well as his other siblings.

After earning a reputation of being a child prodigy, the singer enrolled at ‘Nice Conservatoire’, when he was hardly nine years old. He continued studying at this institution for a few more years.

In 1942, when Gilbert was still in his early teens, he discontinued studies to become a part of the ‘French Resistance’, one of the most famous movements of the World War-II.

He met musician Maurice Vidalin in 1948 and this encounter encouraged Francois to write a few songs. He also collaborated with another musician named Marie Bizet during this time. The trio worked together for the next two years.

During the late 1940’s alone, this musician wrote many songs which went on to become chartbusters. He also met a songwriter named Pierre Delanoe, who later went on to become a collaborator for many of Gilbert’s works.

Soon after, Francois happened to meet Jacques Pills, known to be a good singer and pianist. After their first interaction in 1950, the duo developed a great rapport and even went on many musical tours together.

This musician then got a chance to interact with a well-known Cabaret singer of the time, Edith Piaf. The two hit it off really well and soon after, Gilbert penned a song titled ‘Je Ta’i dans la peau’ and pitched it to the lady. Impressed by the lyrics, Edith and Gilbert work together and as a result, the song went on to become a big chartbuster.

After achieving considerable success, the singer officially adopted the name Gilbert Becaud in 1952 and went on to be known worldwide with the same name.

A massive crowd, consisting of 4000 people had attended the live performance at ‘L’ Olympia’ by Becaud. The venue was opened to crowd after twenty-five long years and their reactions to the gig were phenomenal. The show brought immense popularity and acclaim to this talented artist, earning him the moniker ‘Monsieur 100,000 Volts’.