French chanson star François Deguelt deceased

François Deguelt, represented Monaco twice at the Eurovision Song Contest. First in London in 1960 when he placed third out of thirteen entries with the song Ce Soir-Là. He went one better in 1962 when Dis Rien finished second in Luxembourg behind the French entry Un Premier Amour.

Only four other artists in the history of the competition managed this feat: Cliff Richard, Katja Ebstein, Chiara and Zeljko Joksimovic.

François was born in Tarbes and grew up in Charente, raised by his grandmother. The singer started working in the cabarets of Paris in the early 50s. In 1956 he won the Grand Prix du Disque of the Académie Charles Cros.

After his Eurovision performances Deguelt managed to succeed in the French market, especially with the song Le Ciel, Le Soleil Et La Mer  which ranks as his biggest hit. And he returned to the contest, this time as a commentator for the French speaking countries, for the 1966 edition again in Luxembourg.

The artist died last Wednesday the 22nd of January, after battling with a long illness, aged 81. The Eurovision.tv team would like to show our condolences to the family and friends of François Deguelt.