26.01.2020

The word "cabaret" will no longer have the same resonance without him

• Description

  This Sunday, January 26, the most famous cabaret director died at the age of 88. The information was released by his press secretary. “Montmartre had become his homeland. Michou your huge heart has stopped beating. Your generosity for elders, P’tits Poulbots and many other causes was limitless. Your legendary cabaret have always welcomed the greatest from around the world as anonymous. Your 63 years of cabaret will forever be etched in the history of the Butte. The Republic of Montmartre, an orphan, will participate in the tribute that will be paid to Michou the enchanting, Prince Bleu de Montmartre, Minister of Night of the Republic of Montmartre. “, Can we read in Le journal de Montmartre. A disappearance that plunges everyone into the night in infinite sadness.

  Back on Michou's lifeLanded in the French capital when he was only 19, the one who used to dress up in France Gall or Brigitte Bardot had erected a real empire at 80 rue des Martyrs, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. At the head of his own establishment, Cabaret Michou, he had known how to revolutionize Parisian nights by developing the concept of cabaret-restaurant-show. Every evening after dinner, the lights went out to make room for a crowd of transvestite artists, imitating the stars of the song in play-back. From Dalida to Sylvie Vartan via Edith Piaf, all the greatest French voices have received their tribute over the years.

  Colorful character, easily recognizable thanks to his blue glasses and his two-piece suit, Michel Catty, whose real name was, knew how to attract the favors of celebrities. For his 80th birthday, he had managed the feat of bringing together more than thirty during a major concert organized at the Trianon on June 20, 2011. From Nana Mouskouri to Matt Pokora via Dorothée, Michèle Torr, Francis Huster, Anny Duperey or Amanda Lear and Johnny Hallyday: all the biggest stars had made the trip. But if he was an emblematic figure of show business, Erwan's companion was also a man of commitment. Knighted in the Legion of Honor by Jacques Chirac in 2005, he made no secret of his support for Nicolas Sarkozy during the 2007 presidential election. An incredible journey, for a man who is definitely out of the ordinary.