Michel Polnareff
Encyclopedia
Michel Polnareff, born in Nérac
(Lot-et-Garonne
) on 3 July 1944, is a French singer-songwriter who was very popular from the mid-1960s until the early 1980s. While his commercial success is considerably smaller nowadays, he is still active and critically respected.
Michel was born into an artistic family: his mother, Simone Lane, was a dancer and his father, Leib Polnareff or Léo Poll worked with Édith Piaf
. He learned piano by age five and was a very good music student. He learned the guitar, and after his studies, military service, and a brief time in insurance, he began to play his guitar on the steps of the Sacré Cœur
.
, but as part of the counterculture he turned down this opportunity. It was Lucien Morisse, then director at Europe 1
, who made him sign with AZ. His first disc, La Poupée qui fait non
(1966), was an unexpected success. Its new musical style and Polnareff's atypical image, crossed borders. During this period, he played concerts in Brussels
for one week sharing the bill with Jeff Beck
.
(1976), which starred American model Margaux Hemingway
and her sister Mariel
. But his success in the United States was not as great as in France. Plus, Polnareff had left behind his fellow musicians and the musical community. He discovered a passion for computers. A tour in 1975 brought him to Belgium
(he was not allowed to return to France), where thousands of French fans came to see him. His forced exile did not prevent him from composing, and his albums had various success. But it was Bulles in 1981 that proved that France had not forgotten him.
in Paris and, surrounded by friends and alcohol, recorded Kama Sutra, with Mike Oldfield
adding some guitar parts. This album debuted in February 1990 and marked Polnareff's true return. However, rumors spread about his health, and in 1994 he decided to have a cataract surgically removed to prevent him from becoming blind. In 1995, he returned to the United States to create his famous album Live at the Roxy
with Musical Director / guitarist Dick Smith
. Smith also Executive produced the ambitious live record which achieved Platinum certification in France. To mark this occasion, the channel Canal + devoted a special to him entitled "À la Recherche de Polnareff" ("In Search of Polnareff"), in which he appeared in military uniform (from whence his recent nickname "The Admiral" may come) and was interviewed in the desert by Michel Denisot. This was followed by an acoustic mini-concert in the middle of the California desert.
Following the media attention in 1995–96, Polnareff could have restarted his career as though nothing had happened. However, his fans still await, after more than ten years, an album which may never come. However, some of his early songs are becoming popular again, like "La Poupée qui fait non
" by Mylène Farmer
and Khaled
(1996), and "On Ira Tous au Paradis", which became the theme song of Restaurants du Cœur
in 1998. His 1977 hit Lettre à France
enjoyed a new success in 2004 following its inclusion on the French version of the Star Academy
talent contest.
broadcast a one and a half hour documentary entitled "Michel Polnareff Dévoilé" ("Michel Polnareff Revealed"). It includes images from rare files mixed with interviews with media personalities like Marc-Olivier Fogiel, Jacques Séguéla, Jean-Luc Lahaye
and Frédéric Beigbeder
explaining to the televiewers what Michel Polnareff represented for them and for France. Polnareff also revealed that he was working on a new album. On 12 May 2006, Michel Polnareff announced that he would be giving a series of concerts between 2 March and 14 March 2007. Ticket sales rocketed, showing that Polnareff has not lost his gleam. On Bastille Day
, 2007, Polnareff gave a free concert.
In 2001, death rapper Necro
sampled Polnareff's "Voyages" for his song "Light My Fire". English band The Shortwave Set
sampled this song as well for their single "Is It Any Wonder?" in 2005.
Masher (L)SD sampled "Sous Quelle E'toile Suis Je ne?" for his tune
"Howards' Thinking Clearly", on the CD "That's CRAZY Music!" (2005)
The 2004 Korean TV drama "Sorry, I love You" in Korean 미안하다, 사랑한다 ("Mi'an'ha'da, Sa'rang'han'da" or aka "MiSa") soundtrack largely drew from Polnareff songs like "Qui a tué Grand-Maman ?" and "ça n'arrive qu'aux autres". It was aired on channel KBS 2004/11/09~2004/12/28. The soundtrack was released in two commercial CDs.
and John Paul Jones
as a session player.
He has a namesake in Jean Pierre Polnareff
, a character in the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
manga
series.
In the Manga One Piece
, Ouka Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo is based physically on Polnareff.
manga.
Nérac
Nérac is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-western France.-External links:*...
(Lot-et-Garonne
Lot-et-Garonne
Lot-et-Garonne is a department in the southwest of France named after the Lot and Garonne rivers.-History:Lot-et-Garonne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
) on 3 July 1944, is a French singer-songwriter who was very popular from the mid-1960s until the early 1980s. While his commercial success is considerably smaller nowadays, he is still active and critically respected.
Michel was born into an artistic family: his mother, Simone Lane, was a dancer and his father, Leib Polnareff or Léo Poll worked with Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf , born Édith Giovanna Gassion, was a French singer and cultural icon who became widely regarded as France's greatest popular singer. Her singing reflected her life, with her specialty being ballads...
. He learned piano by age five and was a very good music student. He learned the guitar, and after his studies, military service, and a brief time in insurance, he began to play his guitar on the steps of the Sacré Cœur
Basilica of the Sacré Cœur
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica , is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France. A popular landmark, the basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city...
.
Early successes
In 1965, Polnareff won the Disco Revue prize in Paris. This victory let him record a disc at BarclayBarclay
-People:* Barclay , people with the surname Barclay* Clan BarclayFictional* Andy Barclay, the protagonist in the first three films of the Child's Play series* Reginald Barclay, character in Star Trek: The Next Generation-Business:...
, but as part of the counterculture he turned down this opportunity. It was Lucien Morisse, then 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...
, who made him sign with AZ. His first disc, La Poupée qui fait non
La Poupée qui fait non
"La Poupée qui fait non" is a 1966 song written by Franck Gérald and originally recorded by the French singer/songwriter Michel Polnareff...
(1966), was an unexpected success. Its new musical style and Polnareff's atypical image, crossed borders. During this period, he played concerts in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
for one week sharing the bill with Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
.
An atypical character
Polnareff also played with his image: black glasses, fancy trousers, and ambiguous provocations. His song L'Amour avec Toi could not be played before 10 pm because it was considered "pornographic" at the time in France (the song is mild by today's standards). From 1969 on, Polnareff was hugely successful: tours, music videos, hits. He also became the target of scandalmongers. Tragedy struck in September 1970, when his friend Lucien Morisse committed suicide.Depression and distance
After a rest period in the Paris area, and long months in isolation, Polnareff gradually resumed touring. His health and his morale improved, but not his sight: he was forced to protect his eyes with thick, dark sunglasses. His problems didn't stop there. In 1972, a promotional poster showed his naked buttocks. Although the scandal benefitted him commercially, it brought censorship and lawsuits. Then, during a world tour, he learned that Bernard Seneau, his manager, had run off with his money, leaving him broke. Unable to pay his debts, and crushed by the death of his mother, he left France for the United States, where he lived in anonymity. He was joined by his friend, Annie Fargue who became his long-life manager.Polnareff in the USA
Then, in 1975, his song Jesus for Tonight made it onto the American Billboard. He also created the soundtrack for the exploitation rape drama LipstickLipstick (film)
Lipstick is a 1976 drama film directed by Lamont Johnson. Starring Margaux and Mariel Hemingway, it contains one of the most infamous scenes in motion picture history, showing an extremely graphic rape scene.- Plot :...
(1976), which starred American model Margaux Hemingway
Margaux Hemingway
Margaux Hemingway was an American fashion model and actress.- Early life :Margot Louise Hemingway was born in Portland, Oregon, and was the older sister of actress Mariel Hemingway and the granddaughter of writer Ernest Hemingway...
and her sister Mariel
Mariel Hemingway
- Early life :Hemingway was born in Mill Valley, California, the third daughter of Byra Louise Hemingway and Jack Hemingway, a writer. Her sisters are Joan Hemingway and Margaux Hemingway...
. But his success in the United States was not as great as in France. Plus, Polnareff had left behind his fellow musicians and the musical community. He discovered a passion for computers. A tour in 1975 brought him to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
(he was not allowed to return to France), where thousands of French fans came to see him. His forced exile did not prevent him from composing, and his albums had various success. But it was Bulles in 1981 that proved that France had not forgotten him.
Return to France
Polnareff made a surprise return to France in 1989. Without any promotion, "Goodbye Marylou" invaded the airwaves and became a hit. For a year and a half, Polnareff was locked up at Royal MonceauRoyal Monceau
The Royal Monceau Hotel is a luxury hotel located at 37 avenue Hoche, 8th arrondissement, Paris, France. The hotel has 203 rooms and 45 suites that have been recently refurbished...
in Paris and, surrounded by friends and alcohol, recorded Kama Sutra, with Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
adding some guitar parts. This album debuted in February 1990 and marked Polnareff's true return. However, rumors spread about his health, and in 1994 he decided to have a cataract surgically removed to prevent him from becoming blind. In 1995, he returned to the United States to create his famous album Live at the Roxy
The Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre is a famous nightclub, on the Sunset Strip, in West Hollywood, California. The Roxy is owned by Lou Adler and Adler's son, Nic, who operates the club.- History :...
with Musical Director / guitarist Dick Smith
Dick Smith (musician)
Dick Smith is a musician who has mostly worked as a guitarist and has played with* 98 Degrees Guitarist 1998* Air Supply Guitarist 1993* Donny Osmond* Dru Hill Guitarist 1998* Earth, Wind & Fire Lead guitarist 1987 - 1993* Emmanuel...
. Smith also Executive produced the ambitious live record which achieved Platinum certification in France. To mark this occasion, the channel Canal + devoted a special to him entitled "À la Recherche de Polnareff" ("In Search of Polnareff"), in which he appeared in military uniform (from whence his recent nickname "The Admiral" may come) and was interviewed in the desert by Michel Denisot. This was followed by an acoustic mini-concert in the middle of the California desert.
Following the media attention in 1995–96, Polnareff could have restarted his career as though nothing had happened. However, his fans still await, after more than ten years, an album which may never come. However, some of his early songs are becoming popular again, like "La Poupée qui fait non
La Poupée qui fait non
"La Poupée qui fait non" is a 1966 song written by Franck Gérald and originally recorded by the French singer/songwriter Michel Polnareff...
" by Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer, , born Marie-Hélène Jeanne Gautier, , , is a French singer, songwriter, occasional actress and author....
and Khaled
Khaled (musician)
Khaled Hadj Ibrahim , better known as Khaled, is a raï singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Sidi El Houari in Oran Province of Algeria...
(1996), and "On Ira Tous au Paradis", which became the theme song of Restaurants du Cœur
Restaurants du Cœur
The Restaurants du Cœur is a French charitable organisation, the main activity of which is to distribute food packages and hot meals to the needy....
in 1998. His 1977 hit Lettre à France
Lettre à France
This single "Lettre à France" was released in 1977 by French singer Michel Polnareff.At the time, the artist was outcast from France because of some fiscal and financial issues in 1973...
enjoyed a new success in 2004 following its inclusion on the French version of the Star Academy
Star Academy
Star Academy is a highly successful television show format based on the Spanish format "Operación Triunfo" produced by Endemol, that has been broadcast in over 50 countries...
talent contest.
Polnareff today
On 22 November 2004, and again on 18 December 2005, France 3France 3
France 3 is the second largest French public television channel and part of the France Télévisions group, which also includes France 2, France 4, France 5, and France Ô....
broadcast a one and a half hour documentary entitled "Michel Polnareff Dévoilé" ("Michel Polnareff Revealed"). It includes images from rare files mixed with interviews with media personalities like Marc-Olivier Fogiel, Jacques Séguéla, Jean-Luc Lahaye
Jean-Luc Lahaye
Jean-Luc Lahaye is a French pop singer, former television host and occasional writer. He had his greatest success as a singer in the 1980s, with his songs "Femme que j'aime" and "Papa chanteur" . After more than ten years of absence, he resumed singing in 2004.-External links:*...
and Frédéric Beigbeder
Frédéric Beigbeder
Frédéric Beigbeder is a French writer and literary critic. He won the Prix Interallié in 2003 for his novel Windows on the World and the Prix Renaudot in 2009 for his book Un roman français...
explaining to the televiewers what Michel Polnareff represented for them and for France. Polnareff also revealed that he was working on a new album. On 12 May 2006, Michel Polnareff announced that he would be giving a series of concerts between 2 March and 14 March 2007. Ticket sales rocketed, showing that Polnareff has not lost his gleam. On Bastille Day
Bastille Day
Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on 14 July of each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale and commonly le quatorze juillet...
, 2007, Polnareff gave a free concert.
In 2001, death rapper Necro
Necro
Ron Raphael Braunstein , better known under his stage-name Necro, is a Jewish-American rapper, producer and director from Brooklyn, New York...
sampled Polnareff's "Voyages" for his song "Light My Fire". English band The Shortwave Set
The Shortwave Set
The Shortwave Set are a British alternative pop band whose debut album, The Debt Collection, was released in 2005 on Independiente Records. The band's music combines sample-based music with more traditional songwriting and instrumentation to create a sound the group have described as "Victorian Funk"...
sampled this song as well for their single "Is It Any Wonder?" in 2005.
Masher (L)SD sampled "Sous Quelle E'toile Suis Je ne?" for his tune
"Howards' Thinking Clearly", on the CD "That's CRAZY Music!" (2005)
The 2004 Korean TV drama "Sorry, I love You" in Korean 미안하다, 사랑한다 ("Mi'an'ha'da, Sa'rang'han'da" or aka "MiSa") soundtrack largely drew from Polnareff songs like "Qui a tué Grand-Maman ?" and "ça n'arrive qu'aux autres". It was aired on channel KBS 2004/11/09~2004/12/28. The soundtrack was released in two commercial CDs.
Personal life
On 28 December 2010, Polnareff's girlfriend gave birth to a boy in Los Angeles. On 21 February 2011, Polnareff announced via a Facebook post that a DNA test had revealed that he was not the biological father of the child. A later post indicated that his girlfriend had disappeared with the baby.Trivia
His first hit La Poupée qui fait non (1966), recorded in London, featured Jimmy PageJimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
and John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones (musician)
John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
as a session player.
He has a namesake in Jean Pierre Polnareff
Jean Pierre Polnareff
is a fictional character from the Japanese manga series, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. He went with Jotaro Kujo and company to get revenge for his sister, who was raped and murdered by J. Geil...
, a character in the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
is a manga written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. Every main character's name in each part can be read as JoJo. The manga, published by Shueisha, first ran in the magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1987 to 2002, before being transferred to the seinen magazine Ultra Jump in 2004. The current story...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series.
In the Manga One Piece
One Piece
is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997; the individual chapters are being published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 64th volume released as...
, Ouka Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo is based physically on Polnareff.
Albums
- Love me Please Love me (1967)
- Le Bal des Laze (1968)
- Polnareff'sPolnareff'sPolnareff's is an album by Michel Polnareff released in 1971 on AZ Disques. At the time of its release, Polnareff was "one of the most successful musicians in France", according to The Independent...
(1971) - Michel Polnareff (1974)
- Fame à la Mode (1975)
- LipstickLipstick (film)Lipstick is a 1976 drama film directed by Lamont Johnson. Starring Margaux and Mariel Hemingway, it contains one of the most infamous scenes in motion picture history, showing an extremely graphic rape scene.- Plot :...
(1976) original motion picture soundtrack - Coucou me Revoilou (1978)
- BullesBulles (album)Bulles is an album by French singer-songwriter Michel Polnareff released in 1981.With this album, the singer found more success, as it sold 800,000 copies. "Radio", "Je t'aime", and "Tam-Tam" were put into heavy rotation on french radio stations...
(1981) - Incognito (1985)
- Kâma Sûtra (1990)
- Live at the Roxy (1996)
- Ze (Re) Tour 2007 (2007)
Famous songs
- "La Poupée qui Fait Non (1966)
- "Love Me Please Love Me (1966)
- "L'Amour avec toi" (1966)
- "Sous quelle étoile je suis né" (1966)
- "Âme Caline (1967)
- "Le Roi des Fourmis" (1967)
- "Mes Regrets" (1967)
- "Ta Ta Ta Ta" (1967)
- "Le Bal des Laze" (1968)
- "Y'a qu'un ch'veu" (1968)
- "Jour après jour" (1968)
- "Pourquoi faut-il se dire adieu (1968)
- "Ring-a-Ding" (1968)
- "J'ai du chagrin Marie" (1968)
- "Tous les bateaux tous les oiseaux" (1969)
- "Tout tout pour ma chérie" (1969)
- "Je suis un homme, Gloria" (1970)
- "Qui a tué grand-maman?" (1971)
- "Holidays, On ira tous au Paradis" (1972)
- "I love you because" (1973)
- "Fame à la mode" (1975)
- "Lettre à FranceLettre à FranceThis single "Lettre à France" was released in 1977 by French singer Michel Polnareff.At the time, the artist was outcast from France because of some fiscal and financial issues in 1973...
" (1977) - "Une simple mélodie" (1979)
- "Radio, Tam-Tam" (1981)
- "La belle veut sa revanche" (1985)
- "Viens te faire chahuter" (1985)
- "Dans la rue" (1985)
- "Goodbye Marylou" (1989)
- "Toi et Moi (1990)
- "LNA HO" (1990)
- "Kâma-Sûtra" (1990)
- "Je rêve d'un monde" (1999)
In Pop Culture
Tout Tout Pour Ma Cherie is referenced in the last volume of the Detroit Metal CityDetroit Metal City
is a vulgar comedy manga series, serialized in Young Animal from 2005 to 2010. An anime OVA series, twelve episodes of approximately 13 minutes each, was released starting on August 8, 2008. A live film adaptation directed by Toshio Lee appeared in Japanese theaters on August 23, 2008...
manga.
External links
- Biography of Michel Polnareff, from Radio France InternationaleRadio France InternationaleRadio France Internationale was created in 1975 as part of Radio France by the Government of France, and replaced the Poste Colonial , Paris Mondial , Radio Paris , RTF Radio Paris and ORTF Radio Paris...
- Official Web Site : Michel Polnareff (news, discography, photos...)