Charles Aznavour gives us a brief glimpse into his incredible life

With a career spanning over 70 years, countless hits including She, La Boheme, and Emmenez moi, leading to 180 million record sales and continuing to sell out venues worldwide, Monsieur Aznavour has no intention of slowing down.

THE TERM 'LEGEND' is often bandied about too casually, but for 91-year old French-Armenian vocalist Charles Aznavour, it is fully justified.
With a career spanning over 70 years, countless hits including She, La Boheme, and Emmenez moi, leading to 180 million record sales and continuing to sell out venues worldwide, Monsieur Aznavour has no intention of slowing down.
 

He comes to Dubai on February 12 in association with the Alliance Française, so we caught up with him to talk music, life and what it was like appearing with Edith Piaf at the acclaimed Moulin Rouge .
To still be performing at the age of 91 is a grand achievement. How has performing changed for you over the years? Do you still get the same enjoyment out of it? How does it feel to be playing Dubai?
This is my life. I enjoy being on stage and meet different and new audience like on the 12th of February in Dubai.
Technology changes but what I do on stage is a natural evolution for me. I feel more relaxed on stage nowadays and I do and say things that I didn't years ago. I feel very comfortable with my audiences around the world and I talk to them a lot more today.
There are perhaps too many memories to choose from, but is there one event or concert or person you have sung for that is extra special to you and why?
When you have been on stage for over 70 years, you have many, many memories.
I guess standout moments include my first hit, my first concert in New York , in London in the '60s. As for the people Piaf, Trenet, Minelli.
Singing at the famed Moulin Rouge and opening for and touring with Edith Piaf is like a scene from a movie. What are your feelings on those times? Was it as exciting as it sounds? What was Edith like?
I keep very fond memories of these days. I learned a lot. We had good times. We were young.
Edith Piaf was an amazing instinctive artist. She was funny, a joy to be with, even though she could be tough sometimes. I stayed eight years with her, because we were never lovers!
If she could see how popular she is today, she would be amazed! She is bigger now than when she was alive!
Many people have compared you to Frank Sinatra over the years. Do you agree with/ like that comparison? Who were your inspirations?
Journalists like to create tag lines. Sinatra was a good friend of mine and an amazing singer.
But I am first of all a songwriter who sings his own songs, which Frank wasn't. I tackle social subjects and I don't only sing about love.
My influences were Al Jolson, Maurice Chevalier, Carlos Gardel, Charles Trenet.
Is there someone out of the hundreds of people you have sang duets with that stands out in your memory? Who do you think was the best singer you ever witnessed?
It would be unfair for me to pick just one!
Usually when I agree to do a duet, I feel that it will be an interesting collaboration.
What music do you enjoy today? Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with and why? Do you enjoy contemporary covers of your songs such as 'She'?
I am always open to suggestions; recently I did a duet with ZAZ, a very talented young singer, Benjamin Clementine another new talent. I really enjoy hearing my songs covered by new generations, especially when their approach is different than mine.
david@khaleejtimes.com