Charles Aznavour Interview: At 87, The 'French Frank Sinatra' Is Still Unstoppable

Charles Aznavour, considered one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, is currently on tour throughout the United States. Dubbed the "French Frank Sinatra," the 87-year-old (soon to be 88!) has penned around one thousand songs. His songs have been recorded by an astonishing array of performers such as Andrea Bocelli, Bob Dylan, Liza Minnelli, Sting and Elvis Costello. The Belgian-born crooner speaks English with a charming crooked syntax in an accent that, dare we say it, sounds exactly like Pepe LePew. The man still radiates Parisian charm.

You’re 87 and still touring. When are you going to retire?

I don’t understand those who are trying to know this or that. I have the strength to live more than others. Most of the time when you meet someone and they say, "I’m 50," they do this (Aznavour slumps down in his chair) and then 60 and so on. I refuse! One day it’s going to be impossible but I’m sure I can do something with a (mimes a walker).

I said to my manager the other day, "We have nothing to do in October, try to find something to do." So we’re going to find cities in Switzerland and do concerts to raise money for Armenia. Then I have the pleasure to work and do something good.

What is your secret?

I’m tired only in the morning. Most of the time I swim. I’m a very bad swimmer. I do 340 meters every morning. I have a machine for my back, no one knows what it is but I have it. I do not eat three meals a day. I eat two. Very light meals. I read that we eat too much. We have to drop one of the meals. I have been very careful with my kids not to let them get fat. It’s very important. It’s unhappy to have that terrible life.

Edith Piaf discovered you.

No, Edith Piaf met me one day on a radio show and she found my writing interesting. At the evening I was at her house. For eight years I was a very close, close friend 'til she died.

What are your memories of her?

Too much. It will make a book. She was not what I’ve seen in the movie. I’ve never seen her (mimes injecting), not once. Never saw her angry. She had too much personality. She had a great sense of humor and in the movie there is no humor at all. But I’m sure Fanny Brice was not "Hello Dolly" either.

So many artists have covered your songs. Do you have any favorites?

I’m not going to tell you which one I’m going to say why I like some. I like the ones who hear or see the song in a different way. The one who sings like me, I’m still here, I don’t need it. It’s nice to have somebody come along and sing it in a totally different way. There are many. There is Sting, there is Bob Dylan. When they sing with my orchestrations it’s not interesting. I want to be surprised.

France has such an incredible tradition of singer/songwriters that doesn’t seem to exist anywhere else in the world. Why is that?

We have the best songwriters in the world. I’m talking about those that interpret their own songs. Jacque Brel, Charles Trenet, Serge Gainsbourg, Leo Ferre. We have plenty, plenty. The writing is poetic and extraordinary. It is because we haven’t done it for the money. We have done that for the language. We love the language.

LISTEN to Aznavour's "She":

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that Aznavour is Gallic. He is in fact not from France, but Belgian-born.

Comments

[cloudmaker]

01:08 PM on 04/24/2012

Charles Aznavour is no more the French Frank Sinatra and Sinatra was the American Aznavour. They are both unique and super talented artists. Who comes up with this ridiculous comparisons?

[Tags]

09:53 AM on 04/23/2012

In the red states, he's known as "the Freedom Frank Sinatra."

[Shealo]

08:20 AM on 04/23/2012

You are the one for me, for me, for me, formidable
You are my love very, very, very, veritable
Et je voudrais pouvoir un jour enfin te le dire
Te l'écrire
Dans la langue de Shakespeare

Now I'm gonna sing for the rest of the day :o) Thank you HP :o)

[UpBone]

04:25 PM on 04/22/2012

Now, I have another CD to order on Amazon.

[JacksonHts]

12:31 PM on 04/22/2012

Shoot the Piano Player was one great movie.

[jymfrancais]

03:59 PM on 04/21/2012

To me , Yves Montand, would be more of a "French Sinatra"

[Lechiffre]

09:43 AM on 04/21/2012

I saw the picture before I read the headline. My heart sank. I thought he'd passed away. I am so relieved. I know he's 87 but still.

[WhatRUAfraidOf]

05:57 AM on 04/21/2012

Back in 1975 I was in French 1 in high school and wanted to hear some French music besides the Singing Nun and Frere Jacques, which we would do in class. So, I went to a record store and picked out an album called "Non, je n'ai rien oublie" because the singer had a name that didn't sound very French. Little was I to know that 37 years on, I'd still be in love with his music. M. Aznavour, vous m'accompagniez pendant toute ma vie. Je vous aime. (By the way, it only took nine years of French, 4 high school and 5 upper-division at university, to really understand the lyrics :-))

[Treeske]

02:04 AM on 04/21/2012

Amazing singer, composer and human being. I watched him recently on the French tv program: "Vivement Dimanche" during which he sang and to me, with the same voice of 50 years ago!

For those who wonder: TV5 on Dish Network # 8957

[Konnie]

06:24 PM on 04/20/2012

in high school, my best friend and i in our teenage angst were no fans of the beatles. oh no,
we were far tooo kewl for that. we shared our depression/and all things revolting on her summer porch, smoking cigarettes and allowing charles aznavour to carry us away to france.......where just knew we belonged,
certainly not in indiana............

[Lechiffre]

09:59 AM on 04/21/2012

He is one the last soldiers .

[Sheldonrs]

05:15 PM on 04/20/2012

An amazing singer and performer! His gyrating moves in "Bell, Book And Candle" almost made him look like he had no bones in his body.

[PCCNYC]

04:44 PM on 04/20/2012

My parents loved this guy so much, and always went to see him perform when he came to NY. I did not realize he was still alive! Love his attitude about life, and hope he has many years ahead.

[dstreettalker]

04:10 PM on 04/20/2012

He is no French Sinatra. Sinatra at his utmost could not measure up to this masterful artist. Charles Aznzvour is absolutely unique in the world. There is absolutely no comparison to aanyone else, ever.

[Anahid]

04:06 PM on 04/20/2012

Charles Aznavour is no more France's Frank Sinatra than Sinatra, whose singing I also love, is America's Aznavour. Starting with your first paragraph you point out that Aznavour is a song writer too. So where are the similarities ? That they both sing ? Britney Spears is a singer too. Aznavour is in a category by himself, just like Sinatra is. Please use some imagination.

[cloudmaker]

01:11 PM on 04/24/2012

Wow. That was so much like my post, only—damn it—yours was better.

[Akizme72]

03:47 PM on 04/20/2012

Aznavour is one the reason I will always cherish my home country.