Lucienne Boyer

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Lucienne Boyer was a French singer and actress who achieved great popularity in the early 20th century. She was born on August 18, 1901, in Paris, France, and was the daughter of a Breton painter, Maurice Boyer. Her mother, Juliette Augusta Van Rogger-Andreossy, was also an artist.

Boyer's parents separated when she was still young, and she spent much of her childhood in poverty, often sleeping on park benches and relying on the generosity of strangers for food. Despite these challenges, she was determined to pursue a career in entertainment and began performing at a young age, singing in cafés and cabarets throughout Paris.

Her breakthrough came in 1923 when she recorded the song "Mon Homme" (also known as "My Man") which became a huge hit and one of her signature songs. The song, which was originally written in English by Channing Pollock and Albert Willemetz, was translated into French by Jacques-Charles and Maurice Yvain. The song's success made Boyer an overnight sensation, and she went on to record numerous other popular songs, including "Parlez-moi d'Amour" (Talk to Me About Love), "J'ai Deux Amours" (I Have Two Loves), "A Paris" (In Paris), and "La Barque d'Yves" (Yves' Boat).

In addition to her successful music career, Boyer also appeared in several films throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Her film credits include "Les Amants de Montparnasse" (The Lovers of Montparnasse), "Le Grand Jeu" (The Great Game), and "Le Duel" (The Duel). She also acted in theater productions and appeared on television.

Boyer's sultry voice and sensual style made her a favorite among French audiences, and she became known as "La Môme Piaf avant Piaf" (The Little Sparrow before Piaf), referring to fellow French singer Édith Piaf, who would become famous in the 1940s and 1950s.

Boyer continued to perform and record music throughout her life, and remained a popular figure in French entertainment. She was also recognized for her contributions to the arts, and was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1953.

Boyer passed away on December 6, 1983, in Paris, France, at the age of 82. Her legacy as a pioneering figure in French music and culture continues to be celebrated and remembered to this day. She remains an icon of French chanson, and her music continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.

--> Watch Lucienne sing live "Parlez-moi d'amour" and a more recent song on Paris Chanson's YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWflgUzryeDw2du2sgo2awrHQbLfl5nCk