Raymond Lefevre-- the French composer and performer who had top 40 hits with The Day The Rains Came"(#30) in 1958 and Ame Câline (Soul Coaxing) (#37) a decade later-- died Friday (June 27) at the age of 78. Born in 1929 in Paris, he attended the conservatory of music there before playing piano in Franck Pourcel's orchestra (with Paul Mauriat) in the fifties. He left in 1956 to begin a solo career that saw him score numerous French television programs and movies and participate in four Eurovision contests.My thanks to Ron Smith at Oldies Music.com for letting me know about this sad news. I know that Ame Câline (Soul Coaxing) was a favourite among many Treasure Island Oldies listeners and is always requested on our annual Instrumental Gems Special. You can be sure it will be played again this year when the Instrumental Gems special returns Sunday, August 3, 2008.
