Edith Piaf (1915-1963) was a French singer and actress whose interpretation of the chanson, or French ballad, made her internationally famous.
Piaf’s songs and singing style seemed to reflect the tragedies of her own difficult life. She was abandoned at birth by her mother, and was primarily raised by her grandmother. Piaf started singing at an early age with her father, a circus acrobat, and accompanied him while he performed. She sang in the streets of Paris, earning a meagre living while often in the company of petty criminals.
By 1930, Edith Piaf was discovered by club owner Louis Leplee, who bestowed Piaf with the nickname La Môme Piaf (The little sparrow or waif sparrow). With Leplee’s help, she began singing in Parisian clubs, impressing audiences with the commanding vocals that became the hallmark of her storied career. She soon was headlining European festivals, starring in movies, and recording hit albums. She became equally adored by American audiences, performing regularly in New York. Furthermore, she also became known for her dramatic relationships, which included celebrities such as boxer Marcel Cerdan, Jacque Pills, and Yves Montand. In 2007, she was immortalized for the next generation in the Academy Award winning film La Vie en Rose, titled after the name of her signature song.
The Sparrow’s’ raw and emotionally provocative voice made her a legend in her native France, as well as with audiences around the world. Her expressive soul used song to unleash her dark passion, sincere purity, and wistful romanticism unto the world, making her the undeniable symbol of the French spirit in the 20th Century. With this digitally remastered Arkadia Chansons album Une Legende the fame, tragedy, controversy, and music of Edith Piaf are commemorated forever.
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