Farewell to French lyricist who wrote words for Mouskouri, Halllyday, Becaud

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2006

PARIS (AFP) — Pierre Delanoe, who wrote the words for singing stars Nana Mouskouri, Johnny Hallyday and Gilbert Becaud, died this week after more than half a century in French showbiz, it was announced. Delanoe, who wrote definitive French-language versions of the lyrics of Bob Dylan and France's version of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, was 88.

Others to profit from his skills imcluded French chanson star Michel Sardou, Tino Rossi, Georges Guetary, as well as the late Joe Dassin, French-singing son of exiled U.S. movie director Jules Dassin. "We have lost one of the great names of French chanson of the last 50 years," said France's Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres. © 2006 AFP