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The artist who defines himself as an acrobat was the guest of Frédéric Lopez this January 5 in “A Sunday in the Country”. He looked back on the ups and downs of his career.
“I’m not a singer, it’s an accident”declares without disguise Michel Fugain . Guest of “A Sunday in the Country” this January 5, the 82-year-old artist discusses his childhood, but also and above all his career, strewn with pitfalls.
Nothing destined Michel Fugain to become a singer. If his father wanted him to pursue medical studies, the latter wanted to do cinema for him. It was during drama classes that he met Michel Sardou but also Patrice Laffont. A few years later, he signed a publishing contract with Barclay and began to compose melodies for, among others, Dalida and Hugues Aufray.
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“I just sang my songs. And I say I’m not a singer, I’m a music speaker.”he says when Frédéric Lopez talks about his first success in 1967, I won’t have time. Four years later, he created the Big Bazar, a troupe of singers and dancers with whom he became famous. Among others A beautiful story, Attention ladies and gentlemen, Do like the bird or even Sing… As if you were going to die tomorrow. However, overnight, he decides to put an end to this adventure. “One day we are in Ottawa. The stage is a stadium. And I see the Big Bazaar returned and went straight to the dressing rooms. We’re five years old and I’m thinking it’s over. They are civil servants, the idea was no longer there”he shares, letting us understand that the passion and wonder of the beginnings were no longer there.
A 5-year low period after the end of this group ensues. Anxious to provide for his family’s needs, Michel Fugain then looked for a way to earn a living. “An extraordinary period when I made all the feuj weddings [juifs NDLR] from Paris. You tell this to singers who think they are what they are not and they tell you: “But why did he do that? It’s not prestigious”. No, I’m an acrobat.”he replies, miming two fingers to the camera as a sign of revolt. And to continue: “I have never been so rich in my life. The state has never seen so little money.”
However, the music industry is not giving gifts. Being away from the music scene for five years doesn’t generate many professional opportunities. “When you haven’t made a record for five years, guys don’t rush to take you, regardless of the successes”explains Michel Fugain before returning to an anecdote that marked him: “Johnny Hallyday said: “Michel Fugain is dead.” Still annoyed by this remark, the person responded years later: “Asshole! I will be dead when I no longer have an ear or a hand.” It is finally thanks to the Tréma record company that the singer ofA beautiful story regains its popularity.
