Charles Aznavour: The Voice of France
A Legendary Career of Music, Storytelling, and Compassion
Parisian Charles Aznavour (1924–2018) was a French-Armenian singer, songwriter, and actor who became a beloved global icon. Often called "France's Frank Sinatra" by fans, critics, and media alike, Aznavour was renowned for his profound influence on French music and his unmatched ability to tell emotional stories through song.
Unlike Sinatra, who thrived in Hollywood's spotlight and had a famously complicated personal life, Aznavour's legacy was grounded in humility, warmth, and a dedication to meaningful causes.
Aznavour released over 1,200 songs in multiple languages, almost all of which he wrote himself. He became a symbol of sophistication and romance, singing about universal human experiences and social issues with a depth of feeling few artists might match. His empathy shines through in song after song, capturing joys and sorrows steeped in nostalgia, moving from soft, tender moments to powerful crescendos, reflecting the highs and lows of memory.
One of his most iconic songs, "La Bohème," captures the bittersweet memories of a young artist in Paris, with the video filmed in the Montmartre neighborhood.
He also wrote and performed, Comme ils disent, a groundbreaking song for its empathetic portrayal of homosexuality—a bold choice in 1972. Aznavour’s lyrics tackled taboo topics with authenticity, inspired by the struggles he saw his LGBTQ+ friends face. He said that he aimed “to honor their experiences with dignity.”
The song was also released in English in 1972 What Makes a Man, again sung with incredible empathy for any era.
Unlikely material for Frank Sinatra.
Aznavour’s legacy extended beyond music—he acted in over 60 films and was a dedicated humanitarian, especially active in supporting Armenia after the 1988 earthquake. Performing into his 90s, he remained passionate about the stage. He passed away in 2018, the same year as his final performance in Osaka, Japan, at 94.