Enrico Macias

Gaston Ghrenassia (born 11 December 1938), known by his stage name Enrico Macias, is an Algerian-French singer, songwriter and musician of Algerian Jewish descent.

Early years

Gaston Ghrenassia was born to a Sephardic Algerian Jewish family in Constantine, Algeria. His father, Sylvain Ghrenassia (1914–2004), was a violinist in an orchestra that played primarily ''malouf'', Andalusian classical music. Gaston played the guitar from childhood, and started playing with the Cheikh Raymond Leyris Orchestra at age 15.

He pursued a school teacher career, but continued playing the guitar. In 1961, the Algerian War of Independence was raging, and the situation became untenable for the Jewish and European residents of Constantine. The assassination in 1961 of his father-in-law and musician Cheikh Raymond Leyris by the National Liberation Front (FLN) was of immense effect on Gaston Ghrenassia, and appears to have been due to his opposition to the independence of Algeria from France. Gaston left Algeria with his wife, Suzy, on 29 July 1961, eleven months before the end of the Algerian War of Independence, and went into exile in mainland France. He has not been permitted to return to Algeria ever since.

Career

First living in Argenteuil, he eventually moved to Paris, where he decided to pursue a career in music. At first he tried translating into French the ''malouf'' numbers which he already knew. Later on, he developed a new French repertoire that he performed in cafés and cabarets. He remained, though, a popular interpreter of Arab-Andalusian music and Judeo-Arab songs in France.

He adopted the stage name Enrico Macias and made his first recording in 1962 after a meeting with Raymond Bernard of Pathé. The result was the recording of "Adieu mon pays" which he had composed for his beloved Algeria on the boat on his way to France. He appeared on French television and became an overnight sensation. This led to a first tour in 1963 as a second act with Paola and Billy Bridge. His daughter, Jocya, was also born that year.

In spring 1964, he opened for ''Les Compagnons de la chanson'' at the Paris Olympia and then undertook a successful tour of the Middle East, performing with great success in Israel, Greece and Turkey, especially in the latter where he still has a huge following. In Turkey, many of his songs were translated and interpreted by Turkish artists. In 1965, he was awarded the Prix Vincent Scotto, and the following year he sang before 120,000 people at the Dinamo Stadium in Moscow, performing concerts in more than 40 other Soviet cities. He also toured Japan and recorded titles in Spanish and Italian and was popular in both countries.

His American debut, at a sold-out Carnegie Hall concert, took place on 17 February 1968. He continued to tour the United States, singing in Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. In Quebec, Canada, he was warmly welcomed as a Francophone artist.

In 1971, he returned to the Paris Olympia, then went to the Royal Albert Hall in London, and back to Japan, Canada, Italy and Spain. A second US tour culminated in a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1972. In 1974, he gave ten shows at the Uris Theater on Broadway, and also at the Olympia for the sixth time since his debut.

He toured France and went twice to Israel in 1976 and 1978. He was invited to Egypt by the Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat to sing for peace. This came after Macias had been banned from Arab countries for many years, despite keeping his popularity with Arab and ethnic audiences in the Middle East and North Africa. In Egypt, he sang in front of 20,000 people at the foot of the Pyramids. After Sadat's assassination, he wrote a song dedicated to the late president entitled "''Un berger vient de tomber''".

In 1988, he had a big hit with "''Zingarella''", particularly in Israel and Turkey upon his tour in both countries in addition to South Korea.

In April 1992, he tried acting in a play adapted from English, called ''Quelle Nuit''. He also had a role as a local judge in the French TV film ''Monsieur Molina''.

In July 2019, Macias played himself in the comedy Family Business, broadcast on Netflix.

Albums and singles

Of great popularity were his 1960s Oriental-influenced songs like "Adieu mon pays" (also known as "J'ai quitté mon pays"), "Les filles de mon pays", "L'Oriental", "Entre l'orient et l'occident" and tribute songs like "Le violon de mon père" (to his father), and "Mon chanteur préferé" (a tribute to his father-in-law Cheikh Raymond).

He was also popular with the French interpretation of "'Oh guitare, guitare" and the Spanish versions of "El Porompompero" and "Solenzara".

Big French hits include "Paris, tu m'as pris dans tes bras", "La femme de mon ami", "Non je n'ai pas oublié", "La France de mon enfance", "Les gens du nord" and "Les filles de mon pays".

He has sung in many languages including French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish, Greek, English, Armenian, Arabic and many of its dialects, and recently in Yiddish.

Achievements

*In 1965 he was awarded the Prix Vincent Scotto.
*He received a gold disc in 1976 for "Mélisa".
*He was named Singer of Peace by UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim in 1980 after he donated the proceeds of his single "Malheur à celui qui blesse un enfant" to the Unicef
*In 1997, Kofi Annan named him Roving Ambassador for Peace and the Defence of Children.

Collaborations

He has collaborated with numerous artists and his songs have been interpreted in many languages.
*He sang "Melisa", "Je t'apprendrai l'amour", "Un grand amour" and "On s'embrasse et on oublie" as a duet with internationally famous Turkish singer Ajda Pekkan and they released a live album called "A L'Olympia" together in 1976.
*In 1991, he had a duet with Ginni Gallan entitled "Un amour, une amie".
*In 2003, he sang "Koum Tara" with Cheb Mami featured in the latter's album ''Du Sud au Nord'' and again a live version, this time on Cheb Mami's 2004 album ''Live au Grand Rex''
*In Turkey, many artists have interpreted his songs with Turkish lyrics including Ajda Pekkan, Başar Tamer, Berkant, Engin Evin, Ferdi Özbeğen, Gökben, Gönül Yazar, Hümeyra, İhsan Kayral, Juanito, Kamuran Akkor, Mavi Çocuklar, Nilüfer, Ömür Göksel, Selçuk Ural, Semiramis Pekkan, Seyyal Taner, Sezer Güvenirgil, Sibel Egemen, Tanju Okan, Yeliz

Controversies

His decision to try to play concerts in Algeria resulted in huge controversy. After the cancellation of a proposed tour in Algeria in 2000, he wrote a book ''Mon Algérie'' (Editions Plon in October 2001) marketed as a "veritable love story between one man and his homeland".

On 14 February 2007, he announced his support of Nicolas Sarkozy for the French presidential elections. He confirmed his political convictions of the political left, but said he could not support the Socialist candidate Ségolène Royal, although he would have supported Laurent Fabius or Dominique Strauss-Kahn if they had been the candidates.

He attempted again unsuccessfully to visit Algeria in November 2007 accompanying French president Nicolas Sarkozy, but was faced with fierce resistance from several Algerian organizations and individuals, including Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, due to his support of Israel. He has never been permitted to return to Algeria since he left in 1961.

Personal life

Enrico is a widower. His wife Suzy Leyris died on 23 December 2008. His 1993 album ''Suzy'' is dedicated to her.
He has a daughter Jocya Macias and his son, Jean-Claude Ghrenassia, is a well-known music producer as well.

Discography

Albums

Charts

Studio albums

*1983: ''Deux ailes et trois plumes''
*1984: ''Générosité''
*1987: ''Enrico''
*1989: ''Le vent du sud''
*1991: ''Enrico''
*1992: ''Mon chanteur préferé''
*1993: ''Suzy''
*1994: ''La France de mon enfance''
*1995: ''Et Johnny Chante L'amour''
*1999: ''Aie Aie Aie Je T'Aime''
*1999: ''Hommage à Cheikh Raymond''
*2003: ''Oranges amères''
*2005: ''Chanter''
*2006: ''La Vie populaire''
*2011: '' Voyage d'une mélodie''
*2012: '' Venez tous mes amis!''
*2016: ''Les clefs''
*2019: ''Enrico Macias & Al orchestra''

Live albums / compilations

*1968: ''Olympia 68''
*1989: ''Olympia 89''
*1990: ''Disque d'Or''
*1992: ''Le plus grand bonheur du monde''
*1996: ''La Fête à l'Olympia''
*2003: ''Les Indispensables de Enrico Macias''
*2003: ''Concerts Musicorama''
*2006: ''Olympia 2003''
*2006: ''Les Concerts Exclusifs Europe''
*2008: ''Platinum Collection''

Songs

(Macias songs in alphabetical order)

A

* ''A ceux qui m'ont béni'' 1981
* ''A la face de l'humanité'' 1972
* ''A Venise'' 1971
* ''Adieu mon pays'' 1962
* ''Aie aie aie je t'aime'' 1989
* ''Aime-moi je t'aime'' 1986
* ''Aimez vous les uns les autres'' 1977
* ''L'âme des gitans'' 1977
* ''Ami, dis lui'' 1965
* ''L'ami fidèle'' 1964
* ''L'amour c'est pour rien'' 1964
* ''L'amour de la famille'' 1978
* ''L'amour n'est jamais fini'' 1979
* ''Apprendre à vivre ensemble'' 1995
* ''Après moi'' 1989
* ''Asturias'' 1970
* ''Au cœur de la Camargue'' 1963
* ''Au nom des droits de l'homme'' 1993
* ''Au temps du Balajo'' 1970
* ''Aux quatre coins du monde'' 1968
* ''Aux talons de ses souliers'' 1968
* ''Avec les moyens du bord'' 1983

B

* ''La ballade des innocents'' 1987
* ''Beyrouth'' 1963
* ''Brésil'' 1995

C

* ''C'est ça l'amour'' 1973
* ''C'est du soleil'' 1971
* ''C'est une femme'' 1981
* ''C'est vrai'' 1980
* ''C'était le bon temps'' 1973
* ''Chanson pour l'auvergnat'' 1974/1997
* ''Chanter'' 1966
* ''Chiquita'' 1962
* ''Come on bye bye'' 1991
* ''Compagnon disparu'' 1963
* ''Constantina'' 1984
* ''Constantine'' 1962
* ''La courte échelle'' 1981

D

* ''Dans la nuit mexicaine'' 1963
* ''De musique en musique'' 1969
* ''Dès que je me réveille'' 1968
* ''Deux ailes et trois plumes'' 1983
* ''Deux femmes a Dublin'' 1976
* ''Dieu de l'espérance'' 1993
* ''Dis-moi ce qui ne va pas'' 1968
* ''Dis-moi l'avenir'' 1973
* ''Dix ans déjà'' 1970

E

* ''El Porompompero'' 1964
* ''Elle reviendra bientôt'' 1975
* ''L'Enfant de mon enfant (Mon petit Symon)'' 1993
* ''Enfants de tous pays'' 1963
* ''Entre l'orient et l'occident'' 1976
* ''Est-il un ennemi?'' 1965

F

* ''La femme de mon ami'' 1962
* ''La fête orientale'' 1971
* '' Les Filles de mon pays'' 1964
* ''La folle espérance'' 1977
* ''La France de mon enfance'' 1980
* ''Le fusil rouillé'' 1984

G

* ''Générosité'' 1984
* ''Les gens du nord'' 1967
* ''Le grain de blé'' 1966
* ''Le grand pardon'' 1997

I

* ''L'île du Rhône'', 1964 ?
* ''Il est comme le soleil'' 1977
* ''L'instituteur'' 1981

J

* ''J'ai douze ans'' 1989
* ''J'ai peur'' 1967
* ''J'appelle le soleil'' 1966
* ''Jalousie maladie'' 1975
* ''Jamais Deux Sans Trois'' 1966
* ''J'en ai plein mon cœur des souvenirs'' 1966
* ''Je crois en Dieu'' 1971
* ''Je le vois sur ton visage'' 1967
* ''Je n'ai pas vu mes enfants grandir'' 1984
* ''Je t'aimerai pour deux'' 1966
* ''Je vous apporte la nouvelle'' 1975
* ''Jérusalem j'ai froid'' 1988
* ''Juif Espagnol'' 1980
* ''Jusqu'au bout de la course'' 1981

K

* ''Koum Tara'' 1976 + avec Cheb Mami (reprise) 1999

L

* ''La lavande'' 1967
* ''Luther King'' 1984
* ''La dernière prière'' 1996

M

* ''Ma maison, ma maison'' 1962
* ''Ma patrie'' 1964
* ''Ma raison de vivre'' 1964
* ''Malheur à celui qui blesse un enfant'' (Enrico Macias et Jacques Demarny) 1975
* ''La Marelle'' 1977
* ''Maya'' 1964
* ''Mélisa'' 1975
* ''Le mendiant de l'amour'' 1980
* ''La mère et l'enfant'' 1989
* ''Les millionnaires du dimanche'' 1967
* ''Mon ami mon frère'' 1963
* ''Mon chanteur préféré'' 1986
* ''Mon cœur d'attache'' 1966

N

* ''N'oublie jamais d'où tu viens'' 1967
* ''Ne doute plus de moi'' 1964
* ''Noël à Jérusalem'' 1967
* ''Non je n'ai pas oublié'' 1966
* ''Notre place au soleil'' 1965

O

* ''Oh guitare, guitare'' 1962
* ''Oranges amères'' 2003
* ''L'Oriental'' 1962
* ''Où est donc la vérité'' 1966
* ''Oumparere'' 1975
* ''Ouvre-moi la porte'' 1980
* ''Ouvre ta main et donne'' 1963

P

* ''Par ton premier baiser'' 1962
* ''Pardonne et n'oublie pas'' 1984
* ''Paris s'allume'' 1969
* ''Paris tu m'as pris dans tes bras'' 1964
* ''La part du pauvre'' 1966
* ''Les pins du bord de l'eau'' 1964
* ''Le plus grand bonheur du monde'' 1967
* ''Poï Poï'' 1963
* ''Pour ton mariage'' (chantée avec sa fille) 1992
* ''Puisque l'amour commande'' 1967

Q

* ''Quand les femmes dansent'' 2003
* '' Quand les hommes vivront d'amour'', à l'Olympia en 1989 avec les Petits Chanteurs d'Asnières

R

* ''Reste-moi fidèle'' 1969

S

* ''Sans voir le jour'' 1965
* ''S'il fallait tout donner'' 1964
* ''Si c'était à refaire'' 1977
* ''Sois fidèle à ton amour'' 1974 avec Ilanit
* ''Solenzara'' 1967
* ''Sous le ciel de Paris'' 2005
* ''Souviens-toi des noëls de là bas'' 1963
* ''Souviens-toi, je t'aime aujourd'hui'' 1975
* ''Suzy'' 1993

T

* ''Toi la mer immense'' 1967
* ''Tous les hommes se ressemblent'' 1970
* ''Tous les soleils de l'amitié'' 1981
* ''Tout seul'' 1966
* ''Tu n'es pas seul au monde'' 2011

U

* ''Un amour, une amie'' 1990 avec Ginni Gallan
* ''Un berger vient de tomber'' 1981
* ''Un rayon de soleil'' 1967
* ''Un refrain'' 1967
* ''Un signe de la main'' 1975
* ''Un soir d'été'' 1963
* ''Une fille à marier'' 1982

V

* ''Va-t'en'' 1962
* ''Vagabonds sans rivage'' 1963
* ''Le Vent du sud'' 1989
* ''Vers qui vers quoi'' 1988
* ''Le Vertige'' 1974
* ''La vie populaire'' 2005
* ''Vieille terre'' 1965
* ''Le violon de mon père'' 1977
* ''Vous les femmes'' 1965
* ''Le Voyage'' 2003

Y

* ''Les yeux de l'amour'' 1967

Z

* ''Zingarella'' 1988

Featured in

Filmography

*1965: ''L'Esbrouffe'' or ''Déclic et des claques'' directed by Philippe Clair – as himself
*1978: ''Mamma Rosa ou La farce du destin'' directed by Raoul Sangla (TV mini-series)
*2001: ''La Vérité si je mens! 2'' directed by Thomas Gilou – as Maurice Boudboul
*2003: ''Les clés de bagnole'' directed by Laurent Baffie – as a comedian
*2005: ''Monsieur Molina'' directed by Thierry Binisti – as judge (TV series)
*2006: ''Un ticket pour l'éspace'' directed by Eric Lartigau – Enrico (voice)
*2009: '' Coco'' directed by Gad Elmaleh as designer
*2011: ''Bienvenue à bord'' directed by Eric Lavaine – as himself
*2012: ''La Vérité si je mens! 3'' by Thomas Gilou – as Maurice Boudboul
*2012: ''Scènes de ménages: ce soir, ils reçoivent'' – as a priest (TV series)
*2019: ''Family Business'' – as himself (Netflix series)

;Soundtracks
*1967: ''Le parapluie des vedettes'' (TV movie) – singing "Les millionnaires du dimanche"
*1994: ''Ha-Perah Be-Gani'' (documentary) – writing the music for "Marlène"
*1994: ''Mina Tannenbaum'' – "Les filles de mon pays" (composer)
*1998: ''A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries'' – writing and performing "Mon coeur d'attache"
*2010: ''Axis of Evil'' (short film) – singing "J'ai quitté mon pays"
*2011: ''Le Chat du rabbin'' – singing "Qu'elle ne se marie pas"
*2011: ''Bachelor Days Are Over'' – writing and performing "Reste-moi fidèle"
*2011: ''Bienvenue à bord'' – performing "Le mendiant de l'amour", "Les filles de mon pays", "Enfants de tous pays" and "Tu es le soleil de ma vie"

;Documentaries
*1966: ''Paris aktuell'' – as himself
*2001: ''Tutti frutti'' – as himself
*2003: ''Guerre d'Algérie: la mémoire retrouvée?'' – as himself
*2003: ''Ombre et lumière'' – as himself
*2005: ''Graffiti 60'' – as himself
*2005: ''Mamy Scopitone – L'âge d'or du clip'' – as himself (also archive footage)

Bibliography

* Martin Monestier, ''Enrico Macias, l'enfant de tous pays'', 1980
* Enrico Macias and Jacques Demarny, ''Non, je n’ai pas oublié'', 1982
* Enrico Macias and Françoise Assouline, ''Mon Algérie'', 2001
* Enrico Macia and Cheb Mami, ''Koum Tara'' Live Au Grand Rex, 2004
* Gérard Calmettes, ''Rien que du bleu'', 2005
* ''Musicien de cœur'', preface by Jacques Leyris, Éditions Horizon, 2005
* Armand Carval, ''Enrico Macias, Un homme libre pour la Paix'' (180 Pages), 2008
* Armand Carval, ''Enrico Macias, Le Chanteur de la Paix'' (200 pages), 2009
* Armand Carval, ''Enrico Macias, Le Chanteur de la Paix'' (180 pages), second edition, 2010
* Idir and Enrico Macias, ''Cnu ay afṛux (Achenu Aya Frukh)'' (le duo berbère Kabylie), 2011
* Enrico Macias, "L'envers du ciel bleu", 2015

References

External links

*

Enrico Macias Biography at RFI Musique
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macias, Enrico
20th-century French Sephardi Jews
21st-century French Sephardi Jews
1938 births
Living people
Algerian Jews
French male singers
People from Constantine, Algeria
Jewish singers
Pathé-Marconi artists
Pieds-Noirs
French Zionists