Biography
Francesco Barracato, better known as Frédéric François, was born in Lercara Friddi (Province of Palermo, Sicily) on 3 June 1950. Two years later, his family left Sicily to settle in Liège, Belgium. His father, a miner, would sing the great Italian classics with the family on Sundays. From his earliest years, he passed on his passion for music to Frédéric. At the age of 13, Frédéric joined his first band, « les Eperviers ».
Every year brings a hit
In 1965, he studied music at the Liège Conservatoire (violin, singing, music theory, declamation and phonetics).
In 1966, he won the Microsillon d’argent (a singing competition at the Festival de Châtelet - Belgium) with his second band, « les Tigres Sauvages ».
In 1969, he recorded his first record under the name Frédéric François.
He was spotted by Jean Morisse (Europe 1), who released his first record in France.
Along with other artists of his generation, such as Dave, C.Jérôme and Mike Brant, Frédéric François was part of the “teen idol” phenomenon of “the seventies”. Their appearances sparked genuine scenes of jubilation and hysteria among young girls.
Every year brings a hit:
1972 - “Je n’ai jamais aimé comme je t’aime” * 13 weeks at No. 1 in the Hit Parade.
1973 - “Quand vient le soir on se retrouve”
1974 - “Je voudrais dormir près de toi” * Newcomer of the Year.
1975 - “Il est déjà trop tard”
1976 - “Fanny Fanny”
1978 - “On comprend toujours quand c’est trop tard”
1979 - “Via Italia”
The 1980s marked a turning point for Frédéric François, with a new record label, Trema (also home to Hervé Vilard, Sardou and Enrico Macias), and the Olympia as an unmissable rendezvous from 1984 onwards.
This decade gave rise to popular songs, recognised in France thanks in particular to the TOP 50:
1984 - “Mon cœur te dit je t’aime”
1985 - “Je t’aime à l’italienne”
1987 - “Une nuit ne suffit pas”
1989 - “Qui de nous deux”
1990 - “Est ce que tu es seule ce soir ?”
The 1990s, for their part, brought the end of the collaboration with Tréma and the birth of Frédéric François’s own record company and label, MBM Records, launched with the album Tzigane in 1993 and an Olympia concert in 1994, followed by a tour of America, Switzerland, Belgium and the French overseas departments and territories.
In 1995, Frédéric François recorded « les plus belles chansons Napolitaines » (O sole mio, Santa Lucia, Mamma, Funiculi Funicula,…): more than 250,000 albums sold.
In 1996, he sang before the Pope, representing France at the gala held at the Vatican.
In 1998, a new triumph at the Olympia, followed by a tour until December: more than 300,000 spectators.
In 1999, release of the record « les plus grandes mélodies italiennes » (come prima, Ciao ciao Bambina, Volare,…).
The videos of his last 3 shows at the Olympia enjoyed phenomenal success (platinum video: Olympia 94, «96», «98»).
Frédéric François began the 21st century with a grand show, “2000 ans d’amour”, in which he performed his greatest hits and paid a heartfelt tribute to his father by making public a family song in Sicilian dialect, “La porta abanidduzza”.
Throughout his career, the artist has regularly chosen to honour a singer who has marked his life, by covering one or more of their songs.
Olympia 1994 Cover of “La chanson des vieux amants” by Jacques Brel.
Olympia 1996 Performance of the greatest Neapolitan standards written or performed by Luciano Pavarotti, Mario Lanza and Claudio Villa, among others: O’Sole mio, Funiculi Funicula, Passione, Torna a Surriento…
Olympia 2000 Cover of “Tous les bateaux, tous les oiseaux” by Michel Polnareff.
Olympia 2002 Cover of “Love me Tender” by Elvis Presley.
2003 Release of the album “Les romances de toujours”, featuring some ten songs by Tino Rossi.
Olympia 2005 Cover of “Qui saura” by Mike Brant.
Olympia 2008 Cover of “Something’stupid” by Frank & Nancy Sinatra, as a duet with his daughter Victoria Barracato.
The 2000s were marked in particular by the arrival of a new lyricist, Fred Zeitoun, with whom Frédéric François would work on all his latest albums:
2001 - Un slow pour s’aimer
2005 - Et si l’on parlait d’amour
2008 - Merci la vie
2010 - Chanteur d’amour
2013 - Amor Latino
2016 - Les Femmes sont la lumière du monde
2019 - Juste un peu d’amour
2020 - la liberté d’aimer
2023 - On a tous besoin d’aimer
2025 - Tout s’oublie un jour
In October 2005, the book «Autobiographie d’un sicilien» was published. In this book, we discover for the first time, with emotion, a warm and gifted personality, a man proud of his ideals, who fights day after day to defend values that make life more generous.
Frédéric François looks back on his 35-year career and pays tribute to his father and mother, to whom he owes everything: love, support, the Olympia, not forgetting, of course, his wife, who inspired his most beautiful songs.
In February 2006, Frédéric François received a Diamond DVD for his whole career at the Olympia, for more than 250,000 copies sold.
In 2009, a theatre tour of France, Belgium and Switzerland, as well as Réunion, Mauritius and Egypt (60 shows).
In 2010, a tour of Egypt. Two shows, at the Alexandria Opera House and the Cairo Opera House.
The release of the “collector’s book”: more than 100 previously unpublished photos and 40 rare and intimate documents, detachable reproductions… so many objects and testimonies that have punctuated a life of love. In collaboration with Gilbert Jouin and Fabien Lecoeuvre.
In 2012, two exceptional concerts at the Olympia in Paris, with Liane Foly and Roberto Alagna as guest stars.
In 2013, at the Mons International Love Film Festival, the Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo presented Frédéric François with a “Cœur de Cristal”, in recognition of a body of work whose watchword has always been love.
A new album entitled “Amor Latino” was released on 21 October 2013 and went gold immediately after its release. This latest album is a musical journey, with richly coloured music in which Frédéric creates new sounds, combining Pop, Oriental, Electro, bachata or R’n’B with a hint of tango. It was also an opportunity for him to work with Luca Bignardi, orchestrator for some of the greatest artists, such as Lara Fabian, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini and Eros Ramazzotti.
2014 saw Frédéric François return to the Olympia for an exceptional “Anniversary Show”, in which, more than ever, he wished to celebrate 30 years of concerts in this legendary Parisian venue. Conceived as an American-style show worthy of Broadway, it brought together 10 musicians and backing singers on stage, as many technicians, 5 giant screens… Thanks to LED technology, his daughter Victoria and Roberto Alagna appeared on stage, along with the novelist Marc LEVY, who retraced 4 decades of success.
In December 2014, a compilation of Christmas songs and other universal favourites, “La Magie de Noël”, was released, featuring a previously unreleased song: “Avant Noël”.
For Valentine’s Day 2015, “Fidèle” is the title of a new best-of featuring essential love songs alongside more recent ones.
The live DVD of the 2014 Olympia show was released at the end of 2015.
On 8 April 2016, Frédéric François’s new album “Les Femmes sont la lumière du monde” was released. With this new album, Frédéric François is still among the brightest stars.
On Valentine’s Day 2017, Frédéric François was presented with the Gold Disc for the album “Les femmes sont la lumière du monde”.
In 2017, Frédéric François will return to the Olympia for two exceptional evenings (8 and 9 April 2017). He will also perform at Forest National (Belgium) on Saturday 29 April 2017. This will be followed by an international tour of Belgium, France, Switzerland and around the world.
In November 2017, Frédéric François recorded the song “A tous ceux qu’on aime” at the Opéra de Liège, with the Maîtrise de l’Opéra Royal de Wallonie (120 choristers).
On 28 September 2017, he received the insignia of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, presented by the French Ambassador to Belgium, Claude-France Arnould.
For Valentine’s Day 2018, the album “La voix de l’amour”, comprising 14 of the singer’s greatest hits, arrived in the shops.
On 28 April 2018, Frédéric François was chosen by the association “Les amis de Dalida”. On this occasion, he addressed the singer’s admirers to share his personal memories of her. Before him, Line Renaud, Hervé Vilard and Orlando had also taken part.
The reception was held at the town hall of the 18th arrondissement of Paris.
On 8 May 2018, a concert in Cairo (Egypt).
May 2018: concerts in Réunion and Mauritius.
30 May 2018: presentation of the gold disc for “les femmes sont la lumière du monde” for France, at the offices of Sony Music in Paris.
In November 2018, Frédéric François sang for the first time in his life in New Caledonia, where he had never performed before.
In February 2019, Frédéric François will make his big comeback with an album of new songs.
On Saturday 12 October 2019, THE landmark concert marking 50 years of his career is announced, at the Grand Rex in Paris. For the first time in his career, Frédéric François will be produced by Gilbert Coullier, the producer of the biggest stars: Johnny Hallyday, Madonna, Céline Dion, Michel Polnareff and Ricky Martin.
2019 - Le Grand Rex & Olympia
He filled the Grand Rex in Paris, reuniting with his audience through his great classics.
He returned to the Olympia for concerts blending emotion and energy.
In 2022, Frédéric François released an exceptional album of duets, recorded with great artists of French and international song: Jean-Baptiste Guégan, Bénabar, Daniel Lévi, Dave, Roberto Alagna, Adamo, Michèle Torr, Laurent Voulzy, Liane Foly, Sandra Kim and Mario Barravecchia, …
2022/2023 - A trip to Réunion
Radiant, he enchanted the stage in Saint-Denis, with 2 dates at the Parc des expositions, both sold out.
2024 - Return to the Olympia & a major tour
A new appearance at the Olympia, as announced from February 2025 in Avignon and Marseille.
A tour of France of nearly 50 concerts, punctuated by 2 unforgettable dates in Réunion (7 & 8 March 2025).
2025 - New album and extended tour
In the studio since early 2025, he is preparing a new album, “Tout s’oublie un jour”, for March, with writers such as Lionel Florence and Fred Zeitoun.
On tour in France & Belgium until 2027, with a series of scheduled dates.
He returned to the Olympia on 16 November 2025.
He gave a concert at the Cirque Royal de Bruxelles on 26 October 2025.
Upcoming dates 2026-2028:
• 15 November 2026 - Théâtre de La Louvière, La Louvière
• 22 November 2026 - La Sucrerie, Wavre
• 29 November 2026 - Le Minotaure, Vendôme
• 5 December 2026 - Le Théâtre de Namur, Namur
• 16 January 2027 - Vendespace, Mouilleron-le-Captif
• 17 January 2027 - Espace Pierre Bachelet, Dammarie-les-Lys
• 5 February 2027 - Le Dôme, Mutzig
• 6 February 2027 - Théâtre Ledoux, Besançon
• 13 March 2027 - Le Skope, Lannion
• 14 March 2027 - Espace Aumaillerie, Fougères
• 20 March 2027 - Centre des Expositions - Le Forum, Le Mans
• 21 March 2027 - Le Zénith de Rouen, Rouen
• 10 April 2027 - Maison de la Culture, Clermont-Ferrand
• 11 April 2027 - Le Spot, Mâcon
• 29 May 2027 - Casino d’Arras - La Grand’Scène, Arras
• 30 May 2027 - Théâtre Sébastopol, Lille
• 12 June 2027 - Zénith de Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne
• 13 June 2027 - Bourse du Travail, Lyon
• 15 January 2028 - Olympia, Paris
He can look back on a 50-year career, with more than 35 million records sold and exceptional longevity in French-language song.
The opening of a new chapter, with a 2025 album and prestigious collaborations, confirms his desire for renewal.