French revue singer and composer of prolific output, nicknamed "Le Fou chantant" (The Singing Madman). He made his debut in 1935 as a member of 'Charles & Johnny' a popular cabaret duo. By 1938, he was engaged as a soloist at the ABC variety theatre in Paris and, eventually, took his place alongside Edith Piaf and Maurice Chevalier as France's most popular performing artist.