Raymond

Abstract This chapter discusses Michel Legrand’s strange, evolving relationship with his father Raymond Legrand. It begins in 1952, with Michel at a crossroads in life: should he write symphonies? Write music for films? Become a concert pianist? He ends up playing the piano with past-it singers on the stage of movie theaters as a warm-up act for the main feature. Then we are taken back to the postwar years, when Michel writes arrangements for his uncle, Jacques Hélian, who has taken over as the leader of Raymond’s band. In 1947, his father reappears in his life: Michel suspects him of having ulterior motives, but his anger evaporates when he realizes that he does not consider this man to be his father. “Having mourned the father that he never was, I become friends with Raymond.” His father is appointed artistic director at the record company Decca, and he begins commissioning Michel to write songs, direct recording sessions, and help him write music for movies. His father is always running late, and Michel ends up composing music within the constraints of ridiculously short deadlines, sometimes having to improvise melodies, which proves very useful training for his future professional life. Once Michel becomes successful, he sees his father only occasionally. When Raymond dies, he refuses his inheritance, but in later years he thinks of him fondly.