Singer, star of more than 60 films and composer of over 1,000 songs, Charles Aznavour has died at the wise age of 94 at his home in Mouriés. Born in Paris, France in 1924 to Armenian parents who had fled the Turkish oppression of their home country, Aznavour was enrolled into acting school when he was nine, starting a lifelong career in the show business. Following many parts as a youth actor, it was his role in 1960’s “Shoot The Piano Player” as a pianist with a “mysterious past” that was perhaps his most well-known. His music career was more intense, selling close to 200 million records. He wrote for not only himself but Edith Piaf, Gilbert Bécaud, Léo Ferré, and Yves Montand among others. He was frequently compared to Frank Sinatra, though he admitted he learned his idiomatic speech from Sinatra, but his favorite American singers were Fred Astaire and Mel Tormé.
A brief statement was released for mourning fans on his Twitter page: “October 2, from 12pm, a book of condolence for Charles Aznavour will be opened at the Aznavour Center in Yerevan (Cascade). You can bring flowers and candles, and leave your message.” If you’re like most and can’t make it, give ‘Yesterday When I Was Young’ a listen below as tribute.