Singer. Born in Nogent-sur-Marne, France, he was a popular international French singer, known for his music hall and vaudeville style. He started in the cabarets of Paris at the age of 17 and was the first singer to use a microphone in his stage act. His records sold in the millions around the world and he is frequently referred to as France’s Bing Crosby. He is also recognized as a talented lyricist, composer and appeared in a number of motion pictures and television films before retiring from entertaining in the 1980s. (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith)