Theophanis Lamboukas
Encyclopedia
Theophanis Lamboukas, known as Théo Sarapo (26 January 1936 in Paris – 28 August 1970 in Limoges
, Haute-Vienne, France), was the last husband of the French singer Édith Piaf
. Formerly a hairdresser, he was 26 years old when he married the 46-year-old Piaf. He was introduced to her by Claude Figus, Piaf's secretary.
A handsome actor-singer of Greek
heritage, Sarapo scored a hit with Piaf in 1962 with the song À quoi ça sert l'amour? (What Good Is Love?). Having by Gallic law inherited Piaf's 7 million francs worth of debts, Sarapo was evicted from the apartment they shared on Boulevard Lannes on Christmas Day 1963, and recorded "La maison qui ne chante plus" (the house which no longer sings), which also became a hit; another big hit was "Le jour viendra", which became in English "Our Day Will Come". When he began singing with Piaf, his voice was very nasal, but over the next few years he developed a tone which was breathtakingly mellow. His other hits included "La Ronde" and "Nous n'étions pas pareils". He was an able actor whose best known film was Judex
, directed by Georges Franju
, which was being filmed at the time of Piaf's death. Sarapo died at the side of the road following an automobile accident on the 28. August 1970. He is buried beside Piaf and her daughter Marcelle (to lover Louis Dupont) in Père Lachaise Cemetery
in Paris. Their motto on their tomb translates as "Love Conquers All".
Sarapo was the last in a long line of Piaf discoveries (Yves Montand
, Les Compagnons de la chanson
, Georges Moustaki
, etc.).
His stage name "Sarapo", as pronounced in French, is Greek for "I love you" (Σ‘αγαπώ, s'agapo), and was chosen by Piaf herself.
Limoges
Limoges |Limousin]] dialect of Occitan) is a city and commune, the capital of the Haute-Vienne department and the administrative capital of the Limousin région in west-central France....
, Haute-Vienne, France), was the last husband of the French singer Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf , born Édith Giovanna Gassion, was a French singer and cultural icon who became widely regarded as France's greatest popular singer. Her singing reflected her life, with her specialty being ballads...
. Formerly a hairdresser, he was 26 years old when he married the 46-year-old Piaf. He was introduced to her by Claude Figus, Piaf's secretary.
A handsome actor-singer of Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
heritage, Sarapo scored a hit with Piaf in 1962 with the song À quoi ça sert l'amour? (What Good Is Love?). Having by Gallic law inherited Piaf's 7 million francs worth of debts, Sarapo was evicted from the apartment they shared on Boulevard Lannes on Christmas Day 1963, and recorded "La maison qui ne chante plus" (the house which no longer sings), which also became a hit; another big hit was "Le jour viendra", which became in English "Our Day Will Come". When he began singing with Piaf, his voice was very nasal, but over the next few years he developed a tone which was breathtakingly mellow. His other hits included "La Ronde" and "Nous n'étions pas pareils". He was an able actor whose best known film was Judex
Judex
Judex is the title of a 1916 silent French movie serial concerning the adventures of Judex who is a pulp hero, similar to The Shadow, created by Louis Feuillade and Arthur Bernède.-Concept:...
, directed by Georges Franju
Georges Franju
-External links:* at Allmovie...
, which was being filmed at the time of Piaf's death. Sarapo died at the side of the road following an automobile accident on the 28. August 1970. He is buried beside Piaf and her daughter Marcelle (to lover Louis Dupont) in Père Lachaise Cemetery
Père Lachaise Cemetery
Père Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in the city of Paris, France , though there are larger cemeteries in the city's suburbs.Père Lachaise is in the 20th arrondissement, and is reputed to be the world's most-visited cemetery, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to the...
in Paris. Their motto on their tomb translates as "Love Conquers All".
Sarapo was the last in a long line of Piaf discoveries (Yves Montand
Yves Montand
-Early life:Montand was born Ivo Livi in Monsummano Terme, Italy, the son of poor peasants Giuseppina and Giovanni Livi, a broommaker. Montand's mother was a devout Catholic, while his father held strong Communist beliefs. Because of the Fascist regime in Italy, Montand's family left for France in...
, Les Compagnons de la chanson
Les Compagnons de la chanson
Les Compagnons de la chanson were a French vocal group from Lyon, France, founded during World War II. Before 1946, they were part of a larger choir called the 'Compagnons de la musique'. The group met Edith Piaf in 1952 at an event in Paris, and recorded a French language song, "Les trois...
, Georges Moustaki
Georges Moustaki
Giuseppe Mustacchi, known as Georges Moustaki , is a French singer and songwriter of Italo-Greek Jewish origin, best known for his poetic rhythm, eloquent simplicity and his hundreds of romantic songs...
, etc.).
His stage name "Sarapo", as pronounced in French, is Greek for "I love you" (Σ‘αγαπώ, s'agapo), and was chosen by Piaf herself.