Raymond Lefèvre | th

Raymond Lefèvre (born November 20, 1929 in Calais, France), true name Raymond Lefèbvre is a French easy listening orchestra leader, arranger and composer.

He is best known for his 1968 theme Soul Coaxin' (Ame Caline), which became an international hit. He also wrote soundtracks for movies with Louis de Funès like La Soupe Aux Choux (1981) or the series of legendary Le Gendarme De Saint Tropez. During late 1950s and early '60s he accompanied Dalida on most of her recordings (Bambino, Por Favor, Tu Peux Tout Faire de Moi, Quand on N'A Que l'Amour). He started his musical career in 1956 on the Barclay label.

Early Career

He was accepted at the Paris Conservatory at 17 years old. During early 1950's he played the piano at the Franck Pourcel orchestra. He started his musical career in 1956 on the Barclay label and recorded his debut album at the same year.

He worked in the French television programs Musicorama (1950's) and Palmarés des Chansons (1965, 1966, 1967) accompaining famous artists with his own orchestra.

His recording of The Day the Rains Came was a best seller in the United States in 1958. The song Ame Caline (Soul Coaxin') became an international hit in 1968 and La La La (He Gives Me Love) was a minor hit in 1968 in Canada and the United States. In 1969 his recording of La Reine de Saba (Queen of Sheba) became a big hit in Japan. Between 1972 and early 2000s he made successful tours in Japan.

Filmmusic

The first soundtrack Lefèvre wrote in 1957 for Fric-frac en dentelles with Peter van Eyck.

Music for movies with Louis de Funès:

* 1964 - Le gendarme de St. Tropez
* 1965 - Le gendarme à New York
* 1967 - Les grandes vacances
* 1968 - Le gendarme se marie
* 1970 - Le gendarme en balade
* 1979 - Le gendarme et les extra-terrestres
* 1981 - La soupe aux choux
* 1982 - Le gendarme et les gendarmettes
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