Gilbert Bécaud

Gilbert Bécaud was a French singer, composer, pianist and actor, known as "Monsieur 100,000 Volts" for his energetic performances. His best-known hits are "Nathalie" and "Et maintenant", a 1961 release that became an English language hit as "What Now My Love". He remained a popular artist for nearly fifty years, identifiable in his dark blue suits, with a white shirt and "lucky tie"; blue with white polka dots. When asked to explain his gift he said, "A flower doesn't understand botany." His favourite venue was the Paris Olympia under the management of Bruno Coquatrix. He debuted there in 1954 and headlined in 1955, attracting 6,000 on his first night, three times the capacity. On 13 November 1997, Bécaud was present for the re-opening of the venue after its reconstruction.

24 October 1927

Born on the same birth date (24 October 1927): Barbara Robinson (author) • Jean-Claude Pascal

Born on the same birth day (24 October): Ahmad Shah of Pahang • Al Feldstein • Alice Perry • Annie Edson Taylor • Casey Wilson • David Nelson (actor) • Gibby Mbasela • Jack Angel • John Hendrie (Scottish footballer) • John Kassir • Mark Walton (story artist) • Massimo d'Azeglio • Michelle Lujan Grisham • Mitch Inman • R. K. Laxman • Sos Sargsyan • Yordan Radichkov • Yossi Sarid

Born in the same month (October 1927): Anita Kerr • Cleo Laine • Gunturu Seshendra Sarma • Howard Zieff • Jim Elliot • Jorge Batlle • Lee Konitz • Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium • R. D. Laing • Sandy Gall • Wolf Kahn