Georges Chatelain - The Beginnings

The Beginnings

Although extremely interested in artistic endeavors, especially music (piano, guitar, clarinet) and photography and acting, Georges Chatelain chose scientific studies for his higher education. Georges studied mathematics at two of France's top schools "Math SUP and Math Spe. He obtained a degree as an electronics engineer. This formation helped him in the world of show business with his rigorous, disciplined approach. Working in parallel to his scientific schooling, Georges studied at the Jean Périmony school of dramatic arts while also making made in-depth musical studies. Georges appeared as a young lead in Jean Cocteau's The Testament of Orpheus. While on the set Georges made several photographic portraits of the celebrated poet and screen director and of the renowned photographer Lucien Clergue. He appeared in television productions with actress Odile Versois : Les Petits Demoiselles, a film by director Michel Deville appearing with Macha Meril.

Because of his outstanding physical appearance Georges also worked as a photo model which gave him the opportunity to learn technical aspects of photography with famous artists, in particular, Harry Meerson. While on a photo shoot for a magazine Georges posed with a young actress, Mireille Darc, who went on to a long successful career in film and television. An athlete, George practiced fencing, judo, karate, aikido.

Fresh out of school Georges became the guitarist for American-in-Paris singer Nancy Holloway working with another young musician who became a famous singer in France, Nino Ferrer. Georges advised Nancy to record what became the hit which made her famous, Don't Make Me Over (T'en va pas comme ca).

To learn recording techniques George went to Chicago where he worked as a student sound engineer. While there he attended The Old Town School of Folk Music and learned to play country and folk music on the guitar and five-string banjo. He also discovered folk singer Reverend Gary Davis and his very personal style. On his return to France he wrote and published the first folk guitar method (Picking). In France, in 1963 only Chatelain and singer Hugues Auffray could play country style. Georges taught country guitar to two future French music artists, Pierre Bachelet and Dan Ar Braz.

Georges also attended courses at the Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg's direction. This method was a revelation for Georges, who uses this technique when directing or coaching singers or actors.

Returning to Paris Georges cut a country/folk album and two singles for Mercury Records with several of his compositions including Allez Viens, On Danse. This song which was adapted in Dutch under the title De Clown by Pierre Kartner, alias Vader Abraham, was recorded by Ben Cramer, who became a major star thanks to the tune. The song is now a standard in Holland with more than 90 covers including recordings by Frans Bauer, James Last, DJ Otzi, Rob de Nijs, Dario, Beppie Kraft, Ronnie, etc.

After recording his first album Georges went to London to seek new songs for his follow up disk. After listening to more than 100 songs he chose one by an unknown composer, Paul Simon's "Sound of Silence." Paul Simon came to Paris and worked with Georges, teaching him guitar techniques . He also taught Georges the instrumental "Anji" composed by Davy Graham. Georges recorded the song in his now-famous studio, CBE, orchestrated by Jean-Claude Petit. The record came out on Barclay in 1975 under the name George Whiteman. It was programmed for three years by French radio stations.

Under Paul Simon's guidance Georges recorded "Sound of Silence" in French.

Georges was a regular at the "Hootenany" organized by Lionel Rocheman in Paris. Among other debutants were Joe Dassin, Long Chris, Claude Lemesle, Martine Habib, Alan Stivell.