Francis Lai obit

Francis Lai, Oscar-Winning ‘Love Story’ Composer, Dies at 86

 

He was not on the list.

French composer Francis Lai, who won an Oscar for “Love Story” and penned the beguiling theme for “A Man and a Woman,” has died at the age of 86, the mayor of Nice announced on Wednesday. No cause of death was reported.

Lai’s plaintive piano melody for “Love Story,” the 1970 tearjerker that made stars of Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw, was his biggest hit, earning him an Oscar and a Golden Globe. His soundtrack recording was all over radio in early 1971, reaching no. 37 as a single and no. 2 as a soundtrack album. When lyrics were added to the melody, Andy Williams sang “Where Do I Begin” to no. 7 on the charts that same year.

The score almost didn’t happen. Lai initially turned down the assignment, he told the Los Angeles Times in 2001. But French actor Alain Delon, who had seen a cut of the film, called Lai and convinced him to delay his summer vacation.

Delon and producer Robert Evans flew to Paris with a print, screened it for him and, said Lai, “I came out of the screening incredibly moved. I went straight home, sat at my keyboard and wrote that theme that very night.”

Lai had already achieved a modicum of fame with his romantic theme for “A Man and a Woman,” French director Claude Lelouch’s art-house hit of 1966. The combination of Lai’s accordion and the wordless “da-ba-da-ba-da, da-ba-da-ba-da” vocals of a male-female duo struck a chord with record-buyers, propelling the soundtrack album to no. 10 on the American charts.

Director Lelouch became Lai’s greatest champion, collaborating with the composer on nearly 40 projects — many of them romantic in nature — including “Live for Life” (1967), “Love Is a Funny Thing” (1969), “Happy New Year” 91973), “And Now My Love” (1974), “Another Man, Another Chance” (1977), “Bolero” (1981), “Edith and Marcel” (1983), “A Man and a Woman, 20 Years Later” (1986) and their final film together, last year’s “Everyone’s Life.”

He worked for other English and French directors as well, scoring “I’ll Never Forget What’sisname” for Michael Winner (1967), “Mayerling” for Terence Young (1968), “Three into Two Won’t Go” for Peter Hall (1969), “Rider on the Rain” for Rene Clement (1970), “International Velvet” for Bryan Forbes (1978) and “Les cles du Paradis” for Philippe de Broca (1991). His albums for “Emmanuelle 2” (1975) and “Bilitis” (1977) were hits among European record-buyers.

In all, he scored more than 100 films. For American television, he scored the TV movie “Berlin Affair” (1970), the theme for “The Sex Symbol” (1974) and the Joan Collins miniseries “Sins” (1986), which sported a Carly Simon song written by Lai.

Lai was born in Nice, played accordion and piano, and while he was still in his 20s, settled in Paris’s Montmartre district. He soon became accompanist to the legendary chanteuse Edith Piaf. He began writing songs for her as well, and his total song output is now said to exceed 600.

Survivors include his wife and three children. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Catherine Saint-Arson in Nice.

“It is with great sadness that I learn of the death of Francis Lai, this great composer from Nice,” Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi reported. “I will soon propose to his family to give his name to an emblematic place of our city.” Added Gilles Jacob, former president of the Cannes Film Festival: “His melodies had a crazy charm.”

Music Department

Panorama (1953)

Panorama

7.2

TV Series

composer: title music "Aujourd'hui C'est Toi" (uncredited)

1971–2021

1763 episodes

 

Christopher Lambert, Béatrice Dalle, Johnny Hallyday, Gérard Darmon, Marianne Denicourt, Jean Dujardin, Antoine Duléry, Mathilde Seigner, Stéphane De Groodt, Julie Ferrier, and Eric Dupond-Moretti in Everyone's Life (2017)

Everyone's Life

4.6

composer: theme music

2017

 

Pause café, pause tendresse (1989)

Pause café, pause tendresse

TV Mini Series

composer: theme song

1989

8 episodes

 

Sins (1986)

Sins

7.1

TV Mini Series

composer: title song (1986)

1986

3 episodes

 

Candice Bergen and Ryan O'Neal in Oliver's Story (1978)

Oliver's Story

4.6

composer: Oliver's Theme

1978

 

Julian Glover and Paul Daneman in Spy Trap (1972)

Spy Trap

8.8

TV Series

composer: title music "Aujourd'hui C'est Toi" (uncredited)

1972–1975

61 episodes

 

The Sex Symbol (1974)

The Sex Symbol

5.7

TV Movie

composer: theme music

1974

 

Comedy Playhouse (1961)

Comedy Playhouse

7.3

TV Series

composer: additional music (uncredited)

1974

1 episode

 

Love Story (1973)

Love Story

6.0

TV Series

composer: theme music "Where Do I Begin?"

1973–1974

12 episodes

 

Raúl Amundaray and Marina Baura in La usurpadora (1971)

La usurpadora

8.1

TV Series

theme music composer

1971

300 episodes

 

Du soleil plein les yeux (1970)

Du soleil plein les yeux

4.7

singer: 'Du soleil plein les yeux'

1970

 

Brigitte Bardot (1968)

Brigitte Bardot

7.8

TV Movie

musical director

1968

 

Motorama (1965)

Motorama

TV Series

theme music composer

1965

 

Composer

Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant in The Best Years of a Life (2019)

The Best Years of a Life

6.7

composer

2019

 

Christopher Lambert, Béatrice Dalle, Johnny Hallyday, Gérard Darmon, Marianne Denicourt, Jean Dujardin, Antoine Duléry, Mathilde Seigner, Stéphane De Groodt, Julie Ferrier, and Eric Dupond-Moretti in Everyone's Life (2017)

Everyone's Life

4.6

Composer (original music)

2017

 

Tourner pour vivre (2016)

Tourner pour vivre

5.0

Composer

2016

 

Jean Dujardin and Elsa Zylberstein in Un + Une (2015)

Un + Une

6.2

Composer

2015

 

Johnny Hallyday and Sandrine Bonnaire in Salaud, on t'aime. (2014)

Salaud, on t'aime.

5.5

Composer

2014

 

YouHumour (2008)

YouHumour

TV Series

Composer

2011

1 episode

 

D'un film à l'autre (2011)

D'un film à l'autre

7.1

Composer

2011

 

What War May Bring (2010)

What War May Bring

6.5

Composer

2010

 

Anna Ammirati, Sergio Assisi, Anna Galiena, and Franco Nero in Amore e libertà - Masaniello (2006)

Amore e libertà - Masaniello

5.7

Composer

2006

 

Une équipe de rêve/Zidane's Dream Team

7.9

Composer

2006

 

Arielle Dombasle, Maïwenn, Michel Leeb, and Mathilde Seigner in Le courage d'aimer (2005)

Le courage d'aimer

5.7

Composer

2005

 

Le genre humain - 1ère partie: Les Parisiens (2004)

Le genre humain - 1ère partie: Les Parisiens

4.9

Composer

2004

 

Lorànt Deutsch, Thierry Lhermitte, and Philippe Noiret in Ripoux 3 (2003)

Ripoux 3

5.8

Composer

2003

 

Peulraseutik teuri (2003)

Peulraseutik teuri

6.1

Composer

2003

 

Kuno Lauener, Oli Kuster, and Markus Fehlmann in Züri West - Am Blues vorus (2002)

Züri West - Am Blues vorus

8.3

Composer

2002

 

Musiq: Halfcrazy, Remix

Music Video

Composer

2002

 

Musiq: Halfcrazy

Music Video

Composer

2002

 

Daniel Prévost in Les insaisissables (2000)

Les insaisissables

4.9

Composer

2000

 

Une pour toutes (1999)

Une pour toutes

4.9

Composer

1999

 

Hasards ou coïncidences (1998)

Hasards ou coïncidences

6.6

Composer

1998

 

Black Attack: Bang Bang (1997)

Black Attack: Bang Bang

Music Video

Composer

1997

 

Le serment sous la lune

Composer

1997

 

Hommes, femmes, mode d'emploi (1996)

Hommes, femmes, mode d'emploi

6.1

Composer

1996

 

Les Misérables (1995)

Les Misérables

7.5

Composer

1995

 

Le voleur et la menteuse (1994)

Le voleur et la menteuse

4.3

Composer

1994

 

Tout ça... pour ça! (1993)

Tout ça... pour ça!

6.1

Composer

1993

 

Stranger in the House (1992)

Stranger in the House

6.1

Composer

1992

 

La belle histoire (1992)

La belle histoire

6.7

Composer

1992

 

Pierre Arditi and Gérard Jugnot in Les clés du paradis (1991)

Les clés du paradis

4.5

Composer

1991

 

Le provincial (1990)

Le provincial

4.6

Composer

1990

 

Sydney Penny in The Passion of Bernadette (1990)

The Passion of Bernadette

6.6

Composer

1990

 

There Were Days... and Moons (1990)

There Were Days... and Moons

6.0

Composer

1990

 

Tolgo il disturbo (1990)

Tolgo il disturbo

6.8

Composer

1990

 

Thierry Lhermitte and Philippe Noiret in My New Partner at the Races (1990)

My New Partner at the Races

6.2

Composer

1990

 

Tahnee Welch in Disperatamente Giulia (1989)

Disperatamente Giulia

8.4

TV Mini Series

Composer

1989

6 episodes

 

Der Atem

5.0

Composer

1989

 

Omar Sharif and Jane Seymour in Keys to Freedom (1988)

Keys to Freedom

4.9

Composer

1988

 

Jean-Paul Belmondo and Richard Anconina in Itinerary of a Spoiled Child (1988)

Itinerary of a Spoiled Child

6.9

Composer

1988

 

Omar Sharif and Arielle Dombasle in Les pyramides bleues (1988)

Les pyramides bleues

4.3

Composer

1988

 

Sydney Penny in Bernadette (1988)

Bernadette

6.8

Composer

1988

 

Patrick Bruel, Marie-Sophie L., and Jean Yanne in Attention bandits! (1987)

Attention bandits!

6.3

Composer

1987

 

Oci ciornie (1987)

Oci ciornie

7.3

Composer

1987

 

Association of Wrongdoers (1987)

Association of Wrongdoers

6.4

Composer

1987

 

Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant in A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later (1986)

A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later

5.8

Composer

1986

 

Sins (1986)

Sins

7.1

TV Mini Series

Composer

1986

3 episodes

 

Gefahr für die Liebe - Aids (1985)

Gefahr für die Liebe - Aids

5.1

Composer

1985

 

Marie (1985)

Marie

6.7

Composer

1985

 

Astrolab 22

5.6

TV Series

Composer

1985

 

Seijo densetsu

5.6

Composer

1985

 

J'ai rencontré le Père Noël (1984)

J'ai rencontré le Père Noël

3.0

Composer

1984

 

My New Partner (1984)

My New Partner

7.2

Composer

1984

 

Dog Day (1984)

Dog Day

5.8

Composer

1984

 

Das Traumschiff (1981)

Das Traumschiff

4.1

TV Series

Composer

1983

3 episodes

 

Les uns et les autres (1981)

Les uns et les autres

7.9

TV Mini Series

Composer

1983

3 episodes

 

Pig in the Middle

5.1

TV Series

Composer

1980–1983

20 episodes

 

Edith and Marcel (1983)

Edith and Marcel

5.9

Composer

1983

 

Salut la puce (1983)

Salut la puce

3.6

Composer

1983

 

Madame Claude 2 (1981)

Madame Claude 2

4.3

Composer

1981

 

Bolero (1981)

Bolero

7.3

Composer

1981

 

Les Borsalini (1980)

Les Borsalini

2.7

Composer

1980

 

Beyond the Reef (1979)

Beyond the Reef

4.7

Composer

1979

 

Us Two (1979)

Us Two

6.3

Composer

1979

 

Mireille Darc, Julien Guiomar, Charles Gérard, and Aldo Maccione in The Small Timers (1978)

The Small Timers

4.0

Composer

1978

 

Soir 3 (1978)

Soir 3

TV Series

Composer

1978

 

International Velvet (1978)

International Velvet

5.8

Composer

1978

 

Robert et Robert (1978)

Robert et Robert

6.5

Composer

1978

 

Nastassja Kinski in Boarding School (1978)

Boarding School

4.7

Composer

1978

 

Nido de viudas (1977)

Nido de viudas

5.7

Composer

1977

 

Türkiye

7.3

Short

Composer

1977

 

Geneviève Bujold and James Caan in Another Man, Another Chance (1977)

Another Man, Another Chance

6.2

Composer

1977

 

Striptease (1977)

Striptease

4.6

Composer

1977

 

Bilitis (1977)

Bilitis

5.3

Composer

1977

 

Catherine Deneuve and Vittorio Gassman in The Forbidden Room (1977)

The Forbidden Room

6.9

Composer

1977

 

Body of My Enemy (1976)

Body of My Enemy

6.6

Composer

1976

 

Catherine Deneuve and Anouk Aimée in Second Chance (1976)

Second Chance

6.2

Composer

1976

 

Cinéma de minuit (1976)

Cinéma de minuit

8.3

TV Series

Composer

1976

 

Bruno Cremer, Jacques Dutronc, Brigitte Fossey, Marlène Jobert, Serge Reggiani, and Jacques Villeret in The Good and the Bad (1976)

The Good and the Bad

6.7

Composer

1976

 

Sylvia Kristel in Emmanuelle II (1975)

Emmanuelle II

4.8

Composer

1975

 

Sydne Rome and Maria Schneider in Wanted: Babysitter (1975)

Wanted: Babysitter

5.4

Composer

1975

 

Cat and Mouse (1975)

Cat and Mouse

6.6

Composer

1975

 

Bulle Ogier and Rufus in Mariage (1974)

Mariage

6.7

Composer

1974

 

Dyan Cannon in Child Under a Leaf (1974)

Child Under a Leaf

5.3

Composer

1974

 

And Now My Love (1974)

And Now My Love

7.1

Composer

1974

 

Un amour de pluie (1974)

Un amour de pluie

6.1

Composer

1974

 

Visit to a Chief's Son (1974)

Visit to a Chief's Son

6.8

Composer

1974

 

Par le sang des autres (1974)

Par le sang des autres

6.1

Composer

1974

 

Iran

7.0

Short

Composer

1973

 

Helmut Berger, Senta Berger, Sydne Rome, and Maria Schneider in Merry-Go-Round (1973)

Merry-Go-Round

6.3

Composer

1973

 

Un homme libre (1973)

Un homme libre

Composer

1973

 

Happy New Year (1973)

Happy New Year

7.4

Composer

1973

 

Marcel Bozzuffi and Michel Constantin in Les hommes (1973)

Les hommes

6.2

Composer

1973

 

Tom Thumb (1972)

Tom Thumb

5.9

Composer

1972

 

And Hope to Die (1972)

And Hope to Die

6.7

Composer

1972

 

Dust in the Sun (1972)

Dust in the Sun

5.6

Composer

1972

 

Jacques Brel, Charles Denner, Charles Gérard, Aldo Maccione, and Lino Ventura in Money Money Money (1972)

Money Money Money

6.8

Composer

1972

 

L'odeur des fauves (1972)

L'odeur des fauves

5.1

Composer

1972

 

Agnaldo Rayol and Lolita Rodrigues in Os Deuses Estão Mortos (1971)

Os Deuses Estão Mortos

TV Series

Composer

1971

242 episodes

 

Brigitte Bardot, Claudia Cardinale, and Michael J. Pollard in The Legend of Frenchie King (1971)

The Legend of Frenchie King

5.2

Composer

1971

 

Smic Smac Smoc (1971)

Smic Smac Smoc

5.4

Composer

1971

 

Le petit matin (1971)

Le petit matin

6.0

Composer

1971

 

The Love Mates (1970)

The Love Mates

5.4

Composer

1970

 

Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal in Love Story (1970)

Love Story

6.9

Composer

1970

 

The Crook (1970)

The Crook

6.9

Composer

1970

 

Darren McGavin and Pascale Petit in Berlin Affair (1970)

Berlin Affair

6.8

TV Movie

Composer

1970

 

Sylva Koscina, Emmanuelle Riva, and Maurice Ronet in La modification (1970)

La modification

5.9

Composer

1970

 

Hello-Goodbye (1970)

Hello-Goodbye

4.6

Composer

1970

 

The Games (1970)

The Games

6.2

Composer

1970

 

With Love in Mind

Composer

1970

 

Du soleil plein les yeux (1970)

Du soleil plein les yeux

4.7

Composer

1970

 

Rider on the Rain (1970)

Rider on the Rain

6.7

Composer

1970

 

Jean-Paul Belmondo and Annie Girardot in Love Is a Funny Thing (1969)

Love Is a Funny Thing

6.4

Composer

1969

 

Ein Abend zu zweit

TV Movie

Composer

1969

 

Rod Steiger, Claire Bloom, and Judy Geeson in Three Into Two Won't Go (1969)

Three Into Two Won't Go

5.9

Composer

1969

 

Hannibal Brooks (1969)

Hannibal Brooks

6.6

Composer

1969

 

Life Love Death (1969)

Life Love Death

7.1

Composer

1969

 

Les tontons du festival

Short

Composer

1968

 

Snows of Grenoble (1968)

Snows of Grenoble

6.3

Composer

1968

 

Tender Moment (1968)

Tender Moment

6.9

Composer

1968

 

James Mason, Catherine Deneuve, Ava Gardner, and Omar Sharif in Mayerling (1968)

Mayerling

6.1

Composer

1968

 

House of Cards (1968)

House of Cards

6.0

Composer

1968

 

Challenge in the Snow (1968)

Challenge in the Snow

6.8

Composer (as Francis Laï)

1968

 

Danièle Gaubert in The Golden Claws of the Cat Girl (1968)

The Golden Claws of the Cat Girl

5.8

Composer

1968

 

Judita Cerovská: Muz a zena

6.8

Music Video

Composer

1967

 

Brigitte Bardot: The Devil Is English

Music Video

Composer

1967

 

I'll Never Forget What's'isname (1967)

I'll Never Forget What's'isname

6.2

Composer

1967

 

Live for Life (1967)

Live for Life

6.4

Composer

1967

 

Mon amour Mon amour (1967)

Mon amour Mon amour

5.7

Composer

1967

 

Jean Gabin and Robert Stack in Action Man (1967)

Action Man

6.4

Composer

1967

 

The Bobo (1967)

The Bobo

5.5

Composer

1967

 

The Merry-Go-Round Horse

8.4

Short

Composer

1966

 

La maison de Toutou (1966)

La maison de Toutou

8.1

TV Series

Composer

1966

1 episode

 

A Man and a Woman (1966)

A Man and a Woman

7.5

Composer

1966

 

Fragilité, ton nom est femme

Short

Composer

1965

 

Actor

Edith and Marcel (1983)

Edith and Marcel

5.9

1983

 

Bruno Cremer, Jacques Dutronc, Brigitte Fossey, Marlène Jobert, Serge Reggiani, and Jacques Villeret in The Good and the Bad (1976)

The Good and the Bad

6.7

L'accordéoniste (uncredited)

1976

 

Smic Smac Smoc (1971)

Smic Smac Smoc

5.4

L'accordéoniste aveugle (uncredited)

1971