Claude Lemesle
Claude Lemesle, born on October 12, 1945, in Paris, France, is a celebrated French lyricist known for his significant contributions to the music industry. From a young age, Lemesle was drawn to songwriting, learning solfège, piano, and guitar, and attending Le Petit Conservatoire de la chanson de Mireille. Initially trying his hand at performing in cabarets, he eventually focused on songwriting.
His career took a pivotal turn at the age of 21 when he met Joe Dassin, leading to his first major success with the song "La Fleur aux dents" in 1971. Lemesle became a prolific songwriter, penning over a thousand songs for a wide array of artists including Joe Dassin, Michel Sardou, Serge Reggiani, Dalida, and Nana Mouskouri. His collaborations with lyricist Pierre Delanoé further cemented his status in the music world.
Lemesle served as president of the Syndicat national des auteurs et des compositeurs (SNAC) and the Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique (SACEM). He has been honored with several distinctions, including being named an Officer of the Légion d'honneur in 2011 and a Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 2025.
In addition to his songwriting, Lemesle has been dedicated to nurturing new talent, conducting songwriting workshops for many years. His contributions to music have been recognized with the establishment of the Grand Prix Claude Lemesle, later renamed the Prix Pierre Delanoë.
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