Paul Mauriat, the French orchestra leader from Paris, has died at the age of 81. His specialty was light instrumental music, somewhat similar to Germany's James Last. In the 1950s he became the band leader for two of France's most loved singers, Charles Aznavour and Maurice Chevalier. He also recorded his own albums and hit his peak of popularity worldwide as a result of his Number One instrumental hit, Love Is Blue, originally titled L'Amour Est Bleu. The original vocal version was by Vicky Leandros.
The sad thing about life is it ends; the beautiful thing about music is that it lives on.
Paul Mauriat, R.I.P.
Michael
