"When I disappear, I want people to remember this place and say, this is where Michou gave people joy."
The legendary Michou, for more than six decades the "Madame" presiding over his own Chez Michou drag cabaret nightclub in Montmartre - inspiration, apparently, for Jean Poiret's play La Cage Aux Folles, and subsequent films and musical adaptation - has departed for Fabulon in a flurry of pink marabou and wearing one of his trademark blue silk outfits, no doubt.
From humble beginnings in northern France, Michou emerged into the gay cabaret demi-monde in the 1950s, starting in drag himself as "France Gall" before assuming the role of MC to a nightly parade of performers en travestie, portraying such famous icons as Brigitte Bardo and Dalida. The latter came to see a show and loved her tribute; Line Renaud and Annie Cordy became lifelong friends of his. The club played host to numerous world-famous celebrities such as Charles Aznavour, Liza Minnelli, Nana Mouskouri,Jean-Paul Belmondo and Alain Delon; and for his charitable works he was awarded the Légion d'honneur by President Chirac.
“He [was] a French institution. No one else has run their own cabaret for over 60 years. As an openly gay performer, he helped open doors to liberate others. And he started from nothing.” - biographer François Soustre.
Here, by way of a tribute, is the duet Michou did with the aforementioned Mademoiselle Cordy to celebrate the club's 60th anniversary:
RIP, Michou (born Michel Georges Alfred Catty, 18th June 1931 – 26th January 2020)
Chez Michou website [In French, bien sûr]
