The French singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour has died at the age of 94, it has been announced.
The star passed away at his home in Alpilles, south-east France, a representative for the singer said.
Described as ‘France’s Frank Sinatra’, he was discovered by French singer Edith Piaf in 1946.
During his long career, the musician sold over 180 million records, starred in over 60 films and penned over 1300 songs.
He was probably best known for his 1974 hit ‘She’, which Elvis Costello covered for the 1999 film ‘Notting Hill’.
Many of his songs covered taboo subjects, such as his 1973 hit ‘What Makes A Man’ about a gay transvestite.
He believed the subjects he wrote about set him apart, telling NPR in 2016: “I said we can use every word, even the bad words, in a song. Why not be free in songs when you have that in movies, in books, painting, sculpture?”
Last year he was honoured with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was also named Entertainer of the Century by CNN in 1998.
He is survived by his third wife and six children.
Watch him perform ‘She’ in the video below...
