 Richard Clayderman has done what virtually no other French act has ever done..... established a truly international career as a best selling recording artist and concert performer. Born on December 28th, 1953, he encountered the piano early in his life. Richard Clayderman's father, a piano teacher, laid the foundation for his son's later success and began teaching him how to play at a very young age. It is said that, at the age of six, Richard Clayderman could read music more adeptly than his native French.
When Richard Clayderman was twelve years old he was accepted at the Conservatoire of Music where, at sixteen, he won first prize. He was predicted a promising career as a classical pianist. However, shortly after this, and much to everyone's surprise, he cast aside his classical training and turned to contemporary music.
"I wanted to do something different", Clayderman says, "So, with some friends, I created a rock group ; it was a tough time..... a hard time..... and the little money we could make was devoted to buying equipment.
It was the start of what has become an outstanding success story, and since that time, Richard Clayderman's distinctive piano style has earned him superstar status all over the world. Today he has recorded over 1,000 melodies and, in the words of a German journalist, "he has arguably done more to popularize the piano around the world than anyone since Beethoven". Richard Clayderman has created a "New Romantic" style through a repertoire which combines his 'trademark' originals with classics and pop standards. He has clocked up massive worldwide record sales in excess of 70 million, at the last count, and an incredible 267 Gold and 70 Platinum discs to his credit.
Clayderman's international success has resulted in a punishing itinerary which, in the past, has seen him play as many as 200 concerts in just 250 days spent outside France.
However, "The Prince of Romance" (as he was dubbed by Nancy Reagan) is not simply a recording artist. In fact, despite his natural shyness and reserve, he is completely in his element on stage ; a Richard Clayderman concert is a real 'Spectacular' Show.
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