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): Anthony Vanden Borre • Cheryl Studer • David Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Turville • Fernando Vallejo • Hendrik Willem Bakhuis Roozeboom • Heribert Offermanns • John Tuzo Wilson • Margie Masters • Michelle Lujan Grisham • Paul Bonwick • Peter Gellhorn • Silviu Bindea • Sonny Terry • Stephen R. Bloom • Thomas F. Connolly • Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg • Vincent Leuluai

Born in the same month (October 1927): Al Martino • Allan Hendrickse • Bill King • Cleo Laine • César Milstein • Dezső Gyarmati • John Margetson • Lawrence Kohlberg • Lee Konitz • Leszek Kołakowski • Pierre Alechinsky • Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium • Roger Moore • Sherman Glenn Finesilver • Sonny Criss • Thomas Wilson (composer) • Tom Bosley