Richard Clayderman

Born: 1953-12-28

Richard Clayderman (born Philippe Pagès, 28 December 1953 in Paris) is a French pianist who has released numerous albums including the compositions of Paul de Senneville, Olivier Toussaint and Marc Minier, instrumental renditions of popular music, rearrangements of movie soundtracks, ethnic music, and easy-listening arrangements of popular works of classical music. Clayderman learned piano from his father, an accordion teacher. At the age of twelve, he was accepted into the Conservatoire de Paris, where he won great acclaim in his later adolescent years. Financial difficulties, precipitated by his father's illness, forestalled a promising career as a classical pianist. In order to earn a living, he found work as a bank clerk and as an accompanist to contemporary bands. He accompanied French singers such as Johnny Hallyday, Thierry Le Luron, and Michel Sardou. In 1976, he was invited by Olivier Toussaint, a French record producer, and his partner Paul de Senneville, to record a gentle piano ballad. De Senneville had composed this ballad as a tribute to his baby daughter, Adeline. The 23-year-old Pagès was auditioned along with 20 other pianists and got the job. "He was an interesting musician with a soft touch and good technique", said Toussaint. "And he looked good, too." Pagès' name was changed to Richard Clayderman (he adopted his great-grandmother's last name to avoid mispronunciation of his real name outside France), and the single took off, selling 22 million copies in 38 countries. It was called "Ballade pour Adeline". Clayderman has recorded over 1,300 melodies and has created a new romantic style through a repertoire which combines his trademark originals with classics and pop standards. As of 2006, his record sales number at approximately 70 million, and has 267 gold and 70 platinum albums to his credit. He is popular in Asia and is noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as being "the most successful pianist in the world". Source: Article "Richard Clayderman" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.


Placeholder

Omoide wo uru mise

as Pianist
Released: 1985-10-26

Movie page

Ritmo, amor y primavera

as uncredited
Released: 1981-01-29

Movie page

The Joy of Easy Listening

as Self
Released: 2011-05-27

In-depth documentary about the story of easy listening, a popular music that is often said to be...

Movie page

Shirley Bassey: A Special Lady

as Himself
Released: 1980-07-01

Recorded and broadcast by British TV (Thames Television) in 1980 with special guests Robert...

Movie page

DAS!

as Self
First aired: 1991-01-02

TV Show page

Champs-Elysées

as Self
First aired: 1982-01-16

TV Show page

Midi Première

as Self
First aired: 1975-01-06

Midi Première is a French variety show presented by Danièle Gilbert, directed by Jacques Pierre...

TV Show page

Vivement dimanche

as Self
First aired: 1998-09-20

TV Show page

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

as Self
First aired: 1975-01-12

A talk show presented by Michel Drucker

TV Show page

Dalli Dalli

as Self
First aired: 1971-05-13

TV Show page

A Kettle of Colour

as Self
First aired: 1972-01-29

The show was meant to compete with those on West German television. To this end it was fairly...

TV Show page

Verstehen Sie Spaß?

as Self
First aired: 1980-01-31

TV Show page

Die Feste mit Florian Silbereisen

as Self
First aired: 1994-06-02

TV Show page

Sacrée soirée

as Self
First aired: 1987-09-02

TV Show page

Stars in der Manege

as Self
First aired: 1959-04-11

TV Show page

Auf los geht's los

as Self - Guest
First aired: 1977-01-22

TV Show page

La Chance aux chansons

as Self
First aired: 1984-03-26

TV Show page

Stars 90

as self
First aired: 1990-09-03

TV Show page

The Legacy of Guldenburgs

as Pianist
First aired: 1987-01-29

Das Erbe der Guldenburgs is a German television series.

TV Show page

Live From Her Majesty's

as Self
First aired: 1983-01-16

Live from Her Majesty's was a Sunday night live variety show which was produced by London...

TV Show page

The Cannon & Ball Show

as Self
First aired: 1979-07-28

A comedy variety show featuring the double act of Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball.

TV Show page

Téléthon

as Self
First aired: 1987-12-04

TV Show page