Enrico Macias

Algerian-born French-Jewish singer, born Gaston Ghrenassia to violinist Sylvain Ghrenassia (1914-2004) and his wife Suzanne. Gaston began his career at the age of fifteen as a guitarist in the Cheikh Raymond Leyris Orchestra. In addition to fronting his band, Leyris was also a virtuoso on the oud (Andalusian lute). His assassination during the Algerian War of Independence had a profound effect on Gaston, who departed for France in July 1961, eventually settling in Paris. His opposition to Algeria's independence has resulted in a lifelong exile from the country of his birth.

During initial gigs in cafés and cabarets Gaston developed his own unique repertoire of French songs, influenced by Arabic and Andalusian styles. In 1962, he adopted the stage moniker Enrico Macias, following his debut recording of "Adieu mon pays". Like many of his later songs, this was a tribute to his homeland. Others included "Les filles de mon pays", "Enfant de mon pays", "Notre place au soleil" and "J'ai quitté mon pays". He became immensely popular in France during the 60s and 70s with his up-beat renditions of songs like "Paris, tu m'as pris dans tes bras", "La femme de mon ami", "L'amour c'est pour rien", "Les gens du nord", "L'Orientale", "El Porompompero" and "Solenzara".

Outside of France, he has been particularly successful in Turkey, Greece, Spain and Italy. Macias has performed internationally at Carnegie Hall (1968, 1972), Royal Albert Hall, London (1971) and on Broadway (1974) and has toured Israel and South Korea. In 1980, he donated the proceeds from his single "Malheur à celui qui blesse un enfant" to Unicef. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan named him Roving Ambassador for Peace and the Defence of Children in 1997.