A true legend of the French music scene who died at the age of 39 in 1978, Claude François was at the height of his glory when this accident occurred, a lamp that he readjusted while he was taking a bath. He left suddenly, leaving an immense artistic heritage to France and notably a hit, As per usual. His son Claude François Jr. perpetuates his memory and produced the documentary which retraces the crazy journey of the hit My Way (myCanal), whose roots are very French. In interview for the magazine Point of view, it reveals in particular how the rights to the song, which has conquered the whole world, are distributed.
When Claude François learns that his lifelong idol, Frank Sinatra, is going to record an English version of As per usualhe is more than honored. Then, no less than Elvis Presley or Nina Simone will sing it. Today, Clara Luciani took it back and Yseult made a magnificent version for the closing of the Paris Olympic Games, a perfect transmission for the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles according to Claude François’ son. How then do the different stakeholders of the song share the rights to this title, one wonders Point of view ? Claude François Jr. provides a clear answer.
“When the song is included in a series or an advertisement with the recording of Frank Sinatra, its rights holders as well as its record company receive a share fairly equivalent to that of the songwriters. If they are not the performer, only the songwriters are paid.” first explains the guardian of his father’s memory. Concerning their remuneration, “they depend on the country and the agreement established between the publisher of the country and the publisher of origin.”
What about the French version? “The publisher has a share and pays the rest to the authors. In fact, even though the numbers are important, many of us enjoy the cake.” However, there is no question for him of giving the share that he receives because he does not like to talk about money and remains vague on the amount which could seem indecent for some, ridiculous for others. Claude François Jr. just concedes this information : “The song, alone and overall, has generated for several years an annual figure with six zeros.“
The other project of Claude François Jr.
Claude François Junior was raised by his mother in a 12th century building, covered with Virginia creeper, until he was six years old. Busy with his flourishing career at the time, Claude François only came to visit his children on weekends. Today, the Dannemois mill no longer belongs to the descendants of Claude François. In fact, it was sold in 1998 to a couple of bakers in order to pay off the debts left by the singer after his death. However, Claude François Junior revealed in an interview with M – The World Magazine his wish to buy this property in order to transform it into a sort of Graceland – the home of Elvis – French in honor of his father. “I wish people could walk through the door as if they were there at my father’s invitation“, he said. Claude François Junior is already imagining an audio guide with his father’s voice reconstituted by artificial intelligence. In order to make this investment profitable, Claude François Junior is also banking on the presence of 12 guest rooms within the Dannemois mill.
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