Francis Lai
Francis Albert Lai was born on April 26, 1932, in Nice, France, to a family of Italian descent. He developed an early interest in music, learning to play the piano and accordion, and began his career in 1950 as an orchestral musician. In Marseille, he met singer Claude Goaty and moved to Paris, where he became part of the Montmartre music scene. There, he collaborated with Bernard Dimey and later became an accompanist for Édith Piaf, composing several songs for her.
Lai's breakthrough came in 1965 when he met filmmaker Claude Lelouch and composed the score for the film "A Man and a Woman" (1966), which earned international acclaim and several awards. His most significant success was the score for "Love Story" (1970), which won him an Oscar and a Golden Globe. The film's theme, "Where Do I Begin?", became a hit for Andy Williams.
Throughout his career, Lai composed scores for over 100 films, including "Mayerling," "Three into Two Won't Go," and "Bilitis." He worked with many renowned artists, including Elton John, Mireille Mathieu, and Charles Aznavour. Lai passed away on November 7, 2018, in Paris at the age of 86. His legacy as a composer known for his melodic instinct and contribution to film music remains celebrated worldwide.
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