Gilles Marchal
Encyclopedia
Gilles Marchal is a French songwriter and singer who reached the height of his career during the 1970s.
Discovered by Georges Chatelain
, his producer, who signed (with Jack Robinson
as a co-producer) a contract with Disc' AZ and Lucien Morisse, who was then the program director at Europe 1
. Most of his repertoire was original, but at the beginning of his career he performed a few interesting covers of songs by Lee Hazlewood
and Fred Neil
. "Summer Wine", for example, which Lee Hazlewood
originally sang with Nancy Sinatra
, was covered by Marchal in 1969 in a duet with Martine Habib, a young singer whom he met at CBE Studios and whose voice is reminiscent of Joan Baez
. Marchal also chose to interpret the song in English; a French translation appeared this same year ("Le vin de l'été" by Marie Laforêt and Gérard Klein). One of Marchal's greater successes, "Un étranger dans la ville", is a version of "Everybody's Talkin'" by Fred Neil
. (Harry Nilsson
sang the original version for the credits of John Schlesinger
's film Midnight Cowboy
.)
Marchal also sang "Je suis né sous une étoile filante" (a Lerner and Loewe
song translated to French by Mr. Vidalin) and "Buddy River" (a Lee Hazlewood
song translated by Vline Buggy and Yves Dessca). The success of these two singles during the summer of 1970 propelled Marchal to the front of the French music scene and to first place in the hit parade. In 1971, "Liberté" by Charles Orieux and Jean-max Riviere was also an immense success for him.
Marchal has written several songs, both solo ("Nous vivrons tous les trois", "Ne pleure pas ma mie") or with his friends and producers at CBE, George Chatelain and Bernard Estardy ("Dieu qu'elle était belle", "Quand je te regarde vivre").
In the 1970s and 1980s, Marchal continued to record. Little by little, he gave up his "cowboy" persona in favor of the "new man". In homage to the Paris area, he sang the anthem "Les prénoms de l'Ile de France" (words by Claude Lemesle) in 1977. The following year, he released an album at Sonopresse
containing his own words and music. Songs such as "Drôle de vie" were a great success both in France and abroad, as well as "C'était en France" and lighter songs like "Miss Pharmago" and "C'est pas la Chine".
In 1985, Marchal recorded a 45 of "Celine" (by Vline Buggy, Hugues Aufray
and Mort Shuman
); the B side featured "Les maisons sans visage", with music by Marchal and lyrics by Vline Buggy.
Since the 1980s, Gilles Marchal has retired from show business.
Discovered by Georges Chatelain
Georges Chatelain
Georges Chatelain was born at 36 rue Ballu in Paris. This address is where the world renowned musical celebrities Nadia and Lili Boulanger lived and worked. Georges became an author/ composer and musical producer and, in 1966, founded what was the most advanced recording studio of its time in...
, his producer, who signed (with Jack Robinson
Jack Robinson (songwriter and music publisher)
Jack Robinson is a songwriter and a music publisher.-Life and career:Robinson was born in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in a musical family; his father was an amateur violinist, his mother a professional singer. Robinson's three uncles and his aunt were professional musicians. His father, Bert,...
as a co-producer) a contract with Disc' AZ and Lucien Morisse, who was then the program director at Europe 1
Europe 1
Europe 1, formerly known as Europe n° 1, is a privately owned radio network created in 1955. It is one of the leading French radio broadcasters and heard throughout France...
. Most of his repertoire was original, but at the beginning of his career he performed a few interesting covers of songs by Lee Hazlewood
Lee Hazlewood
Lee Hazlewood , born Barton Lee Hazlewood was an American country and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer, most widely known for his work with guitarist Duane Eddy during the late 1950s and singer Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s.Hazlewood had a distinctive baritone voice that added an ominous...
and Fred Neil
Fred Neil
Fred Neil was an American folk singer-songwriter in the 1960s and early 1970s. He did not achieve commercial success as a performer, and is mainly known through other people's recordings of his material – particularly "Everybody's Talkin'", which became a hit for Harry Nilsson after being...
. "Summer Wine", for example, which Lee Hazlewood
Lee Hazlewood
Lee Hazlewood , born Barton Lee Hazlewood was an American country and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer, most widely known for his work with guitarist Duane Eddy during the late 1950s and singer Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s.Hazlewood had a distinctive baritone voice that added an ominous...
originally sang with Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
, was covered by Marchal in 1969 in a duet with Martine Habib, a young singer whom he met at CBE Studios and whose voice is reminiscent of Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
. Marchal also chose to interpret the song in English; a French translation appeared this same year ("Le vin de l'été" by Marie Laforêt and Gérard Klein). One of Marchal's greater successes, "Un étranger dans la ville", is a version of "Everybody's Talkin'" by Fred Neil
Fred Neil
Fred Neil was an American folk singer-songwriter in the 1960s and early 1970s. He did not achieve commercial success as a performer, and is mainly known through other people's recordings of his material – particularly "Everybody's Talkin'", which became a hit for Harry Nilsson after being...
. (Harry Nilsson
Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
sang the original version for the credits of John Schlesinger
John Schlesinger
John Richard Schlesinger, CBE was an English film and stage director and actor.-Early life:Schlesinger was born in London into a middle-class Jewish family, the son of Winifred Henrietta and Bernard Edward Schlesinger, a physician...
's film Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film based on the 1965 novel of the same name by James Leo Herlihy. It was written by Waldo Salt, directed by John Schlesinger, and stars Dustin Hoffman and newcomer Jon Voight in the title role. Notable smaller roles are filled by Sylvia Miles, John...
.)
Marchal also sang "Je suis né sous une étoile filante" (a Lerner and Loewe
Lerner and Loewe
Lerner and Loewe are the duo of lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe, known primarily for the music and lyrics of some of Broadway's most successful musical shows, including My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Brigadoon....
song translated to French by Mr. Vidalin) and "Buddy River" (a Lee Hazlewood
Lee Hazlewood
Lee Hazlewood , born Barton Lee Hazlewood was an American country and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer, most widely known for his work with guitarist Duane Eddy during the late 1950s and singer Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s.Hazlewood had a distinctive baritone voice that added an ominous...
song translated by Vline Buggy and Yves Dessca). The success of these two singles during the summer of 1970 propelled Marchal to the front of the French music scene and to first place in the hit parade. In 1971, "Liberté" by Charles Orieux and Jean-max Riviere was also an immense success for him.
Marchal has written several songs, both solo ("Nous vivrons tous les trois", "Ne pleure pas ma mie") or with his friends and producers at CBE, George Chatelain and Bernard Estardy ("Dieu qu'elle était belle", "Quand je te regarde vivre").
In the 1970s and 1980s, Marchal continued to record. Little by little, he gave up his "cowboy" persona in favor of the "new man". In homage to the Paris area, he sang the anthem "Les prénoms de l'Ile de France" (words by Claude Lemesle) in 1977. The following year, he released an album at Sonopresse
Sonopresse
Sonopresse is a French record label and distribution company founded in 1958. It was acquired by EMI in 1977. The label released records for Electric Light Orchestra and Kate Bush in France. Sonopresse reported $11 million in sales and 15% of the French record distribution market in 1971.-...
containing his own words and music. Songs such as "Drôle de vie" were a great success both in France and abroad, as well as "C'était en France" and lighter songs like "Miss Pharmago" and "C'est pas la Chine".
In 1985, Marchal recorded a 45 of "Celine" (by Vline Buggy, Hugues Aufray
Hugues Aufray
Hugues Aufray is a French singer. He began his career singing in Spanish....
and Mort Shuman
Mort Shuman
Mort Shuman was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including "Viva Las Vegas"...
); the B side featured "Les maisons sans visage", with music by Marchal and lyrics by Vline Buggy.
Since the 1980s, Gilles Marchal has retired from show business.
External links
- Gilles Marchal's official site (French)