Michel Polnareff

Michel Polnareff is a French song writer and performer, born on July 3rd, 1944 with Nérac. Its works showed of a rare originality and a richness in the world of the music. With Gainsbourg, it is one of the only artists to have known to impose an innovative and Anglo-Saxon style. Melodist and musician except par, this “prince of the pop Frenchwoman” is also a myth from his appearance and his mystery. There he remains today the single artist able to go away more than ten years from his country and to return to make a triumph.

Biography

Beginnings resounding (1965-1973)

Michel Polnareff passed all his childhood in the music. His/her father Léo Poll wrote for Edith Piaf and Mouloudji. Polnareff begins the piano at 5 years and receives with 11 years and half the first price of musical theory to the academy of Paris. At 20 years, it leaves the family cocoon, the fault with a too authoritative father and too violent one. It is installed on the steps of crowned heart with a guitar which it bought at Beuscher with its economies. Its first notes will be those of “the headstock which makes not”. It belongs to a group of beatnik (pacifist movement) and makes the sleeve by taking again the standards rock'n'roll of the time. In 1965, it gains a contest of rock'n'roll " Disco music Re-examined " with the Engine, club then connected. The first price is a contract with Barclay. Polnareff refuses… We will understand later that in fact, Michel does not want to become famous. He prefers to write for the others then he will do everything so that no agreement with a recording company is possible.

Gerard Woog, his friend of childhood, insists to present it to Lucien Morisse, owner of Europe 1 and future manager. Michel agrees to sign on label AZ on the condition of recording in London with Jimmy Page with the guitar and John Paul Jones with low (futures Led Zeppelin). With its great astonishment, the recording company accepts. “the headstock which makes not” leaves on May 26th 1966 and will know a true triumph. It was taken again per many artists, including Jimi Hendrix.

Polnareff does not leave anybody indifferent. Its Anglo-Saxon style (just like Gainsbourg or Dutronc), its exceptional melodies turning sometimes even to the traditional symphony (such Heart câline), its look androgyne (which will not stop any more evolving/moving) or his texts (preaching sexual freedom before the hour) constitute a unit which will make of him a true myth. The press does not release it any more and regards it as a proof of the decline because of its look considered to be effeminate (common point with Bowie) and of its texts which shock; " Love with toi" is removed besides of antenna before 22:00. An invitation with the vice in this France gaullienne. Despite everything that, Polnareff is recognized by much. Charles Trenet is these.

It receives many prices a few months after and connects the tubes… lament “Love me please coils to me " with the Gothic " Ball of Laze" while passing by existential the " Under which star be-I-born? " or the electric one and revanchist “King of the ants”. All that it touches transforms into gold. It is not only able to compose of superb melodies and to be often the author (or the joint author) of his texts but also to arrange its musics in a rather original and complex way while using “curious” processes in order to obtain a sound which is appropriate to him. One will remember in particular the system of quadraphony for the disc “Polnareff' S” (also used by Beatles or Gainsbourg for example) but also the lasso to record the choruses of “One will go all to the paradise” or of the kicks of microphone in the wall in order to accentuate the sound of battery of “Holidays”. The music and the sound of the words constitute its only priority. Besides it uses many instruments from England such as the so expensive organ mellotron in Moody Blues.

Polnareff becomes famous in all Europe and obtains many rewards abroad. The English critics, however very severe towards the French music, see in him an artist likely to interest them.

In 1967, it goes up for the first time to the Olympia. It continues to connect the tubes like " In the house vide" or " All boats. ". In 1970, it returns in Olympia and starts a round. On scene, he is innovator. Semi-concert, semi-spectacle, the musicians are embedded on a vertical scene and many automats invade the scene. Environment is baroque and mysterious, it in France to only want to present another thing on scene that “a simple singer in front of a microphone”.

Always in 1970, he answers all criticisms on his appearance and his lifestyle with the song " I am a homme". Attacked at the time of a concert, it cancels the other dates of its round of which a symphonic concert with the Sport hall. It is depressed; the death of Lucien Morisse in 1971, that which launched it, and a sentimental crisis will be the cause of a new depression. In 1971, it remakes a round and then will join Johnny Hallyday with the Sport hall as a pianist for his show, history to have fun a little by taking again some standards of the rock'n'roll. It is at the time of this concert that it will appear with its new look; it carries from now on large black glasses to white mountings as well as long fair and corrugated hair. It will keep this so particular appearance and these glasses which became a trademark. In 1971, it composes the original soundtrack of the film " Ca arrives only at the autres" of Nadine Trintignant and film " delusions of grandeur " of Gerard Oury with Louis De Funès and Yves Montand. It then achieves the unanimity as a type-setter of film musics. The topic very “Morriconien” of “the delusions of grandeur” in addition remained in all the heads.

This year is also that of its disc “Polnareff' S”, considered by much as its masterpiece, to classify beside fabulous “Melody Nelson” of Serge Gainsbourg. Mixing songs and instrumental, this short album (35 min) is of a rare richness. Recorded to Abbey Road with a system of quadraphony, the orchestras are directed by A. King, B. Sheperd, or by Polnareff itself. Mixing jazz (Born in a ice cream), pop (the desert is not any more in Africa) and drunk person (Hey you woman), “Polnareff' S” is a snap. Instrumental “the Voyages” with its low jazzy (held by Herbie Flower, bass player of Lou Reed) announces continuation the color and the ballade larmoyante “At midday at midnight” closes the disc in beauty. Insane of sound and new technologies, it uses organ such as the moog on instrumental “the Computer' S dream”.

In 1972, it writes " The mouche" , " Holydays" and " One will go all to the paradis". It is also the year in the concert " Polnarévolution " in Olympia. The 6.000 posters in this concert besides will make scandal because Polnareff had decided to show its buttocks history to put a point of originality. The magistrates' court will condemn it to pay 10 francs per poster… reason: indecent assault. This concert was once more an innovation. It was first of all the first French concert to profit from sound 5.1. The musicians and the instruments all were equipped with silver plated spangles and from many effects came to brighten the concert. The introduction was dared enough since a dancer disguised in Polnareff arrived of back and lowered her pants (in reference to the poster).

In March 1973, Polnareff creates a spectacle of new songs named " Polnarêve". It will be the subject of a disc containing inter alia very the melancholic person “the man who cried of the tears of glass”. The arranger fetish of Gainsbourg, J.C Basket maker, will be part. Ghost of an international round, in summer 1973, it discovers that its banking deficit is calculated in million francs; he was swindled by his business man. His/her mother dies at the same time and Polnareff, depressed, must make a new sleep therapy before being exiled in the USA aboard the steamer " France". It ends up settling in Los Angeles.

American exile (1973-1984)

In 1975, it signs very quickly on the Atlantic label and leaves " Famed with the mode" entirely in English. On this disc are reproduced of large sizes such as Lee Riternour, Lee Sklar or Jim Gordon (musicians of Clapton or Beatles). Polnareff is also surrounded of a symphony orchestra. The title " Jesus for tonight" is classified 35ème American Billboard. It organizes then a very great round with the country of the rising sun then a concert in Forest National in Brussels, not being able to give the feet on the French soil. In 1976, it signs the original soundtrack of the film " Lipstick" who will be classified number one in the USA and in good of other countries. In 1977, it composes " Letter with France" on a text coming up of J.L Dabadie which will express its nostalgia for France. It at that time decides to stop its American career. Not for lack of success, but for lack of desire. It is now attached to this comfort of life Californien made of sport and new technologies, far from the spangles and of perpetual agitation. It breaks its large contract and in 1978, it returns for the lawsuit (after five years of absence in France) It benefits from it to leave " Cuckoo me revoilou" but success is only average. A “album fouls” according to the interested party, recorded between London and Los Angeles, container however good titles such as “a simple melody” (with Jaco Pastorius, of the group Weather Report, with low).

In 1981, Polnareff knows a triumphal return with " Bulles" who will be sold with nearly a million specimens with tubes like " Tam Tam" or " Radio". The sound very sounds FM Californian, very “synthé/box at rates/rhythms”. A disc well in phase with the time, recorded of night with Hans Zimmer in London. In November 1981, it records a spectacle " Tele show 82" only for television, diffused the evening of December 31st, where he interprets the titles of “Bubbles” and some impossible to circumvent.

Return in France (1984-1994)

In 1984, it signs the original soundtrack of " The revenge on the snake with plumes" of Gerard Oury, with Coluche. The year according to, it returns with “Incognito”, which will not be the success of the precedent in spite of the titles " Come to be made chahuter" (and its clip which for the first time in France cost a million Francs and " The beautiful one wants its revenge” (it should be noted that it was only distributed in the independent record dealers, idea of old brilliance chairman of RCA). The sound is once again very electronic, using samplers and sequencers.

During this period, Michel lives in France. In 1989, it settles in a hotel in Paris region and records " Goodbye Marylou" who becomes immediately a tube. From September 1989, it is locked up 800 days with the Royal Monceau hotel in order to continue the recording of " Kama Sutra" (which will leave the year according to) with the assistance of Ben Rogan to the production and Mike Oldfield (type-setter of “Tubular bels”) to the guitar. The album is a paperboard (nearly a million specimens) thanks to tubes like " Kama Sutra" , " LNA HO" or " You and moi" … The disc is rather mysterious. The image of Michel Polnareff becomes subliminal since in his clips or on the small pockets, one will see only his silhouette or his glasses. “Blue Period” will entrust the interested party, with the image of the clip “Kama Sutra” where one sees his shade to haunt Royal Monceau. The dark corridors become interminable and time seems to be stopped forever. Michel is badly, it becomes blind. He then drowns his fear in vodka and does not see any more light of day. Unrecognizable, it becomes large and wears a long brown beard. As Polnareff refuses to leave its gilded prison, the recording of this album will remain new in the history of the music. The bar of Royal Monceau becomes each night a studio for the catches of voice. As for the ingé-sounds, they are in a mobile studio which comes to be parked in front of the hotel each evening. Musicians recording simultaneously in three other studios. The cords, they, will be recorded with Abbey Road and will be directed via the telephone by the Master in person (since the hotel). On the level of the contents, “Kama Sutra” joins again a little with Polnareff of antan. The sound is very acoustic, and the symphony orchestra of “Goodbye Marylou” and “Kama Sutra” is there for us to point out it. This album is a true mixture between pop symphonic and a dynamic rock'n'roll. Word games referring to the sex and new technologies like “Goodbye Marylou” treating before the hour of conversations Internet. In 1994, it is made operate, after long months of hesitation, of a double brown cataract by Doctor Hagège, who could have cost him the sight if it had awaited two more or three months.

Of Roxy in Bercy: The Rebirth (1995 to 2007)

In 1995, it prepares in Peninsula hotel, in Los Angeles, a return to the stage, history of " to give the gants". In September 95, it thus makes a concert on Sunset Boulevard, in the mythical room of Roxy (where occurred David Bowie, Bob Marley, The Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and well of others). It is surrounded by sizes such as Dick Smith (guitarist of “Earth Wind and Fire” or of Aretha Franklin) or Alex Acuna (percussionnist of “Weather Report”, Elvis or of Michael Jackson). The disc " Live At the Roxy" leaves in 1996 and marks the spirits by the richness of the réorchestrations. A kind of mixture between rock'n'roll, funk, country and even of the reggae (with the fantastic version of “Very all for my darling”). Once more, it is a large success with nearly a million sold specimens. The album remains number one for two months. A formidable emission on Canal+, produced by Fogiel and presented by Michel Denisot, covers the event. It is in full desert of California that one finds Michel Polnareff (forms some and equipped as a paramilitary) for a long interview and a splendid recital with the piano. It benefits from it to announce that it prepares a new disc and that it projects to go up on scene in Paris, without however specifying the place or the date. The Nineties are completed without much news of him. It opens its site Polnaweb.com in 1996 which shows its attachment with new technologies once more. This site allows him a direct and single communication with its public. He becomes the Admiral, and the fans; ship's boys. In 1999, leaves individual the " I dream of a monde" , pacifist Gospel ballade, which obtains only one mitigated success. Michel announces once again a new album and a great concert in Paris. Without continuation. The first half of the years 2000 will be, it also, very calm, in spite of homages and compilations with abundance as well as a cover of Paris Match in September 2004 where Michel appears bronzed and bodybuildé in company of his new conquest; Danyellah. In November will leave “Polnareff by Polnareff”, delivers anecdotes and bits of life interesting and ludic where one will learn especially his sad childhood; a violent father, obliging it to be the best everywhere. A “slavery of luxury” all in all…

May 12th, 2006 is one day to be marked of a white stone since Michel Polnareff announces with the JT of 20:00 that it goes up on scene on March 2nd, 2007 for a series in 6 concerts in Bercy. Hysteria is collective since 40.000 tickets are sold in forty eight hours. Success is so large that four concerts with Bercy will be added in March. A round is then announced from March to August, including/understanding a return to Bercy in June, the time of two evenings.

In October 2006, a new individual (the first since seven years) heading “obvious Ophélie of the beds” arrives on the waves. The title rather original, is removed from rim, filled of double directions which are so expensive to him. Straight left the period disco/80', the title disappoints most of the public, surely awaiting of the Master a new very melody ballade.

March 2nd, 2007, Michel Polnareff finally returned after 34 years of absence on the French scene. He showed that he had not lost anything of his voice nor of his talent while not connecting less than 25 titles. The concert is a good compromise between a show with American and a recital intimist (when it settles with the piano). Once again, the richness of the réorchestrations is époustouflante. The titles appear under a preparing rather Jazz/Rock but the general pallet appears much broader energy of traditional of “Coils me” with the drunk person of extreme “Hey You Woman”. “Under which star be-I-born.?” with low Jazzy and a planing atmosphere with wish, a “Ball of most successful Laze” prog rock'n'roll of or a “Man which cried of the tears of glasses” purified and poignant; there is for all the tastes. A new title named “Positions” made there its appearance. One discovers Polnareff jazzy always also accro with the dared word games. 
 Michel Polnareff appears in Chinese shade, the suspended glasses act as giant screen, the gigantic arena made up of lights and screens is seen surrounded by planets and stars being discovered with the wire of the spectacle. Michel is surrounded by seven exceptional American musicians such as Virgil Donati (regarded as one of the three best beaters in the world), Bunny Brunel (monumental Frestless bass player of Herbie Hancock), Tony Mac Alpine (guitarist and clavierist of Steve Vaï) or Mino Cinelu (percussionnist of Sting).

“Ze turn 2007” will have been the musical event of this year 2007, attracting more than one million spectators with an about sixty dates to the meter (without forgetting the great concert of fraternity on July 14th to the fields of March in front of more than 600.000 people). March 10th 2007, the victories of the music gave to him the victory of honor for all its work.

Michel Polnareff is serene today. He envisages to finish the recording of his new disc as of the end of the year in London with the assistance of the musicians of his round. The title “Positions” should appear in it and the sound of the album would be very “jazzy”. The exit is planned for 2009 (at the latest). As for Cd and the dvd of the round, they should leave under two editions (simple and collector) on December 7th at Polydor.

Discography

45 turns four titles (EP)

  • 1966 . Face a: the Headstock which makes not. Dear Veronique. Face b: Beatnik. Stroll for you.

  • 1966 . Face a: Coils me, please coils me. Love with you. Face b: do not go me on the feet.
  • 1966 . Face a: Under which star I was born?. Time will tel. Face b: the Night-bird. History of heart.
  • 1967 . Face a: Your-your-your-your. Dew of love was not born, dew of the day did not have love. Face b: Pauv' Guitarist. Lament with Michael.
  • 1967 . Face a: Heart câline. Conceited person Madam. Face b: the King of the ants. The Weeping willow.
  • 1967 . Face a: My regrets. Miss Blue Jean. Face b: Dame rams.
  • 1968 . Face a: the Ball of Laze. Time left its coat. Face b: Still a month, still a year. Y has that a ch' veu.
  • 1968 . Face a: Day after day. Human Great feelings. Face b: Pipelette. Oh! Louis.
  • 1968 . Face a: Pourquoi should good-bye be said? Boxing ring-have-ding. Face b: I have Marie sorrow. Dreadful Jojo.

45 turns two titles (SP)

  • 1969. Face a: All boats, all birds. Face b: Very all for my darling.

  • 1969. Face a: Michetonneuse. Face b: In the empty house.
  • 1970 . Face a: a train this evening. Face b: With Nini.
  • 1970 . Face a: Gloria. Face b: I am a man.
  • 1971 . Face a: Which killed grandmamma? (in homage to Lucien Morisse). Face b: Our words of love.
  • 1971 . Face a: Hello Georgina. Face b: Like Juliette and Romeo.
  • 1972 . Face a: Holidays. Face b: the Fly.
  • 1972 . Face a: One will go all to the paradise. Face b: I seek a job.
  • 1973 . Face a: I coils you because. Face b: Rosy.
  • 1974 . Face a: Tibili. Face b: the Girl who dreams of me.
  • 1976 . Famed face a: with the mode. Face b: Wandering man.
  • 1977 . Face a: Letter in France. Face b: Miss of.
  • 1978 . Face a: a simple melody. Face b: I have so many things to say.
  • 1981 . Face a: I love you. Face b: Plays me of you.
  • 1981 . Face a: I love you. Face b: Tom-tom.
  • 1984 . Face a: Come to make you chahuter. Face b: In the street.
  • 1984 . Face a: Y has that not to be able that one can. Face b: In the street (remix).
  • 1984 . Face a: On only one word of you (remix). Face b: To bronze green
  • 1989. Face a: Goodbye Marylou (remix). Face b: Goodbye Marylou (remix long version).

Sung in foreign languages

  • 1966 . Face a: No No No No Face b: Beatnik. (England)

  • 1966. Face a: Meine Puppe sagt not. Face b: Gammler-Strolls (Beatnik). (Germany)
  • 1966. Face a: Coils me, please coils me. Face b: Ich will dich lieben. (Germany)
  • 1969. Face a: Sounds, Wind und Meer Face b: Komm scön STI die Welt (Germany)
  • 1966. Face a: Muneca that hace No Face b: Beatnik. (Spain)
  • 1966. Face a: Coils me, please coils me. Face b: Amart (Spain)
  • 1966. Face a: Una bambolina che F No Face b: lezione LED capellone. (Italy)
  • 1966. Face a: Coils me, please coils me. Face b: Amore idiot you (Italy)
  • 1967. Face a: the ragazza your your your. Face b: the usignolo (Italy)
  • 1969. Face a: a amore F Face b: Cherished cherished (Italy)
In construction…

Individual

  • 1989 . You & me. In the street. (also in 45T SP)
  • 1990. Kama-Sutra. To bronze green (also in 45T SP)
  • 1990. LNA HO. Lipstick. (also in 45T SP)
  • 1991. Tibili. I coils you because (also in 45T SP) (promotion)
  • 1992. Letter in France. LNA HO (also in 45T SP)
  • 1996. the Headstock which makes not (Roxy version)
  • 1996. Very all for my darling. Goodbye Marylou (Roxy version) (promotion)
  • 1999. I dream of a world (When I' m in coils)
  • 2006. Obvious Ophélie of the Beds. Ophélie remix Bob Sinclar.
  • 2007 . the Man who cried of the tears of glass (version Bercy 2007) (promotion)

Albums

Compilations

Film musics and theater

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