André Claveau was born on 29 December 1911 in Paris. He is a French singer and actor.
His career as a singer began in 1936, when he entered and won an amateur contest with the song «Chez moi». He is linked with pianist and composer Alec Siniavine, who accompanies him in his performances. He performed at the Mogador Theatre in 1939, at the Pacra Concert in 1940 and at L'Européen in 1941. In 1942, during the Occupation, André Claveau was noticed by impresario Marc Duthyl and his fame increased.
As a singer, he reached the pinnacle of his professional career, succeeding and becoming one of the most famous French singers of his time.
His best known titles remain Marjolaine and «Deux petits chaussons» (inspired by the music of the film «Les Feux de la rampe», by Charles Chaplin). He is also the first to perform «Bon anniversaire», a song written by Jacques Larue.
Charlie Chaplin said that André Claveau reminded him of Bing Crosby.
From 1947 to 1955, André Claveau appeared in many films, in which he played his successes.
On March 12, 1958, André Claveau, with Frank Pourcel, his conductor, and the authors of the song «Dors, mon amour» won the Eurovision Song Contest, Delanoë and Giraud. He became the first male artist to win this contest, and won France for the first time.
In the late 1960s, André Claveau decided to retire and retired from the media.
He was nicknamed The Prince of the Song. He performed almost 1,500 songs.
André Claveau died on 4 July 2003, in Agen. He was buried in Brassac.