Bruno Coquatrix

The only child of a well-to-do family from the North of France, he was raised in Neuilly, where he pursued brilliant studies at the lycée, but was interested only in music. Orphaned at an early age, he inherited a handsome nest egg, which he soon squandered in various orchestral ventures between Le Touquet, Paris and Monte-Carlo. He then became artistic director of cabarets in the Pigalle district. Paul Meurisse came to his house to sing light songs, and the woman still known as "Môme Piaf*" made her real debut there. He advised her to wear the famous simple black dress that would become her second "skin". It was from this period that an indestructible friendship was born. During the war, he joined the Resistance and contributed to an underground newspaper. The Olympia adventure. After the Liberation, he became Ray Ventura's agent and composed "Clopin-clopant", sung by Henri Salvador* in 1947. He began staging operettas, the first of which, La Bonne Hôtesse, was staged at the Alhambra in 1946, with Gisèle Pascal and Bourvil*. This was followed by successes (Les Pieds Nickelés with the Frères Jacques*) and... flops like Le Chevalier Bayard with a beginner, Yves Montand*. After Bobino, l'Européen and l'Étoile, he returned to the Comédie-Caumartin in 1952, but he was not a happy man of the stage. It was then that a stagehand (Grobois) talked to him about acquiring the Olympia*, a former music hall converted into a movie theater. Very reluctant at first, he nevertheless agreed to go into debt to found his own theater. It opened on February 5, 1954, with Lucienne Delyle* as star and Gilbert Bécaud* as debutant. The latter was to become the venue's favorite artist. From then on, Bruno Coquatrix was to embody the talent scout with incomparable flair. Many an artist's career began here. His "headlining" policy, with attractions and opening acts, had its constraints. At times, this inescapable music hall was on the verge of bankruptcy. But it was sometimes saved by the loyalty of the artists, sometimes by the attachment of the public. A hard worker who devoted his entire life to song and show, the "Emperor of Music Hall" died of a heart attack. His daughter Patricia and nephew Jean-Michel Boris are now in charge of this legendary venue, knowing how to negotiate the turning points imposed by fashion. F. Pe.

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