The Life and Legacy of Henri Salvador
Early Life
Henri Salvador was born on July 18, 1917, in Cayenne, French Guiana. His parents, Clovis and Antonine Paterne, were both from Guadeloupe, French West Indies. Antonine was the daughter of a native Carib Indian. Salvador had a brother, André, and a sister, Alice.
Musical Beginnings
Salvador began his musical career as a guitarist, accompanying other singers. He learned to play the guitar by imitating the recordings of Django Reinhardt and would later work alongside him in the 1940s. Salvador’s early career was marked by his work with Ray Ventura and His Collegians, where he sang, danced, and even performed comedy on stage.
Acting and Recording Career
In addition to his musical pursuits, Salvador also appeared in several films, including “Nous irons à Monte-Carlo” (1950), “Nous irons à Paris” (1949), and “Mademoiselle s’amuse” (1948). In 1957, Salvador recorded the first French rock and roll songs, including “Rock’n Roll Mops”, “Rock hoquet”, and “Va t’faire cuire un oeuf, man”, under the artist name of Henry Cording.
Television and Continued Success
In the 1960s, Salvador hosted several popular television variety shows on French TV. In 1964, he scored a hit with “Zorro est arrivé”, which was adapted from The Coasters’ U.S. hit “Along Came Jones”. Salvador was also known for his rich, catchy laugh, which was a theme in many of his humorous songs.
Influence on Bossa Nova
Salvador and his song “Dans mon île” (1957) were thought to be an influence on Antônio Carlos Jobim in formulating the Brazilian bossa nova style. Famous Brazilian composer and singer Caetano Veloso made Henri Salvador famous to Brazilian audiences with the song “Reconvexo”, in which he says “quem não sentiu o swing de Henri Salvador?” (“who hasn’t felt the swing of Henri Salvador?”). Veloso also recorded a version of Salvador’s song “Dans mon île”.
Later Life and Death
At the age of 70, Salvador was the voice-over of the crab Sebastian in the 1989 French dubbing of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Recordings of “Embrasse-la” (“Kiss the Girl”) can be found on YouTube. Salvador discovered singers Keren Ann and Art Mengo. He died of a ruptured aneurysm at his home in the early hours of February 13, 2008. He was 90 years old and was buried next to his wife Jacqueline in Père-Lachaise Cemetery.
- “Une Chanson Douce”: This is a super hit song by Henri Salvador. The song is a lullaby that the singer’s mother used to sing to him when he was a child.
- “Maladie d’amour”: Another popular song by Salvador, it’s a classic that showcases his unique style and voice.
- “Ma doudou”: This song is a testament to Salvador’s ability to create catchy and memorable tunes.
- “Qui sait, qui sait, qui sait”: This song is a perfect example of Salvador’s playful and romantic style.
- “Je vous aime”: A beautiful love song that showcases Salvador’s emotional depth and vocal range.
- “Monsieur le bon Dieu”: This song is a reflection of Salvador’s spiritual side and his ability to convey deep emotions through music.
- “À Saint-Germain-des-Prés”: This song is a tribute to the famous Parisian neighborhood and its artistic and bohemian lifestyle.
- “Si jolie”: This song is a romantic ballad that showcases Salvador’s smooth and charming voice.
- “Adieu foulards, adieu madras”: This song is a nostalgic look back at Salvador’s Caribbean roots.
- “L’abeille et le papillon”: This song is a playful and whimsical tune that showcases Salvador’s ability to create catchy and memorable melodies.
