Juliette Gréco was a French singer, actress, and cultural icon who became one of the most important figures of the French chanson movement. Her unique voice and style made her a legend in France and around the world.
Born on February 7, 1927, in Montpellier, France, Gréco grew up in a bohemian family. Her father was a Corsican lawyer, and her mother was an actress who worked in the local theater. When Gréco was three, her parents divorced, and she moved with her mother to Paris. She grew up in poverty and attended various schools, but she was always drawn to the arts.
At the age of 16, Gréco joined the Resistance during World War II and became a courier for the group. She was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and imprisoned, but she was eventually released. After the war, Gréco began her career in the arts, first as an actress and then as a singer.
In the early 1950s, Gréco became a sensation in Paris's Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, where she performed in the city's jazz clubs. She quickly became known for her sultry voice, black clothing, and cigarette smoke, which became her trademark. Gréco was the embodiment of the "existentialist" movement that was popular at the time, which emphasized individualism and a rejection of conventional norms.
In 1951, Gréco released her first album, "Je suis comme je suis" ("I am what I am"), which became an instant classic. Her song "Si tu t'imagines" ("If you imagine") became a hit, and Gréco quickly became one of the most popular singers in France. She went on to release dozens of albums throughout her career, including "Juliette Gréco chante Boris Vian" (1956), "La Femme" (1967), and "Aimez-vous les uns les autres ou bien disparaissez" (1983).
Gréco was not just a singer; she was also an actress who appeared in films such as "Orpheus" (1950), directed by Jean Cocteau, and "The Sun Also Rises" (1957), directed by Henry King. She also starred in several plays and worked as a model for some of the world's top fashion designers, including Chanel and Balenciaga.
Throughout her career, Gréco was known for her political activism and her support of progressive causes. She was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and supported the civil rights movement in the United States. She was also an outspoken critic of French government policies, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s.
Gréco continued to perform and record music well into her 80s, and she remained a beloved figure in France and around the world. She was awarded the Legion of Honor in 2013 for her contributions to French culture.
Gréco passed away on September 23, 2020, at the age of 93. Her death was mourned by fans and admirers around the world, who remembered her as a trailblazing artist who had a profound impact on French culture and music.
--> Watch Gréco's most famous songs on Paris Chanson's YouTube channel here: com/playlist?list=PLWflgUzryeDxfLp589UdjZo3R4Nc3VX0n">https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWflgUzryeDxfLp589UdjZo3R4Nc3VX0n
