Charles Dumont, composer of “Je ne regrette rien”, by Edith Piaf, has died

The singer-songwriter performs Charles Dumont, composer of “I don’t regret anything” by Edith Piaf, died on the night of Sunday November 17 to Monday November 18 in Paris at the age of 95, following a long illness, his partner announced to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The career of this trained trumpeter took a major turn at the turn of the 1960s when he convinced the star Edith Piaf to perform one of his compositions, after having suffered several refusals. “No, I don’t regret anything” has since become an unforgettable standard of La Môme, known throughout the world.

“My mother gave birth to me but Edith Piaf brought me into the world”said the singer and pianist born in Cahors on March 26, 1929. “Without her, I would never have done everything I did, neither as a composer, nor as a singer”he assured during an interview with AFP in 2015. For Charles Dumont, this meeting will mark the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with Piaf, which will give birth to more than thirty pieces, including ” My God “ or “The jokers of the ball”.

Throughout his nearly sixty-year career, Charles Dumont also collaborated with Dalida and Tino Rossi and converted to « crooner » at the end of the 60s, abandoning his protest songs. He then released a series of albums in which love was central. The disk “A woman” earned him the Charles-Cros Academy Prize in 1973.

His last appearance on stage dates back to 2019 at the Eiffel Tower theater. “When you come back in front of an audience, who comes to see you as they did 20, 30 or 40 years ago and gives you the same welcome, then they give you back your 20 years”he said.