Bruno Coquatrix
Bruno Coquatrix, was born in Ronchin, Nord on 5 August 1910 and died in Paris on 1 April 1979, buried in the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery (division 96). He is mainly known as the owner and manager of the music hall Paris Olympia. He was instrumental in recognizing and exposing the talent of up-and-coming performers and brought international stars to Parisian audiences.
[edit] Career
Bruno Coquatrix firstly made himself known as songs and music writer. He wrote over 300 songs, e.g. Mon ange (1940) ; Clopin-clopant (1947) ; Cheveux dans le vent (1949)), as well as some operettas.
He was the impresario of some French singers, e.g. Jacques Pills and Lucienne Boyer. He managed the variety theatre Bobino before he took over the Olympia, Europe’s biggest music hall in 1954. He then staged all the era’s celebrities, e.g. Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel, Gilbert Bécaud, Johnny Hallyday, Dalida, Édith Piaf, Annie Cordy, Mireille Mathieu, Yves Montand, and so many others. He also co-founded a records company, the Disques Versailles.
An astute and successful businessman, he was very influential within the French musical world. He was also the mayor of Cabourg (Calvados) from 1971, until his death.
[edit] References
- Paulette Coquatrix. Les coulisses de ma mémoire (1984) Grasset & Fasquelle ISBN 2-246-31071-7
- Jean-Michel Boris. Olympia, Bruno Coquatrix (2003) Hors Collection ISBN 2-258-06234-9
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