Léo Ferré is recognized as one of the greatest songwriters, composers and
performers of French chanson. Born in Monaco on August 24, 1916, he discovered
classical music and singing in his youth, which he spent at a boarding school in
Italy, and then poetry, which played a major role in his work. Settling in Paris
in 1935 to study law and political science, he was mobilized during the war and
began writing songs, including "La Chanson du scaphandrier", covered by Henri
Salvador. After performing under the name Forlane, he spent three months at the
cabaret Le Boeuf sur le Toit, whe...