At the second edition of the
Victoires De La Musique event (the French equivalent of the Grammys) on 22 November 1986 at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, Ray Charles received an award from
Michel Baroin,
chef de cabinet of the
Assemblée Nationale - for his contributions to
le jazz, for performing over 200 concerts in France, and for his
joie de vivre.*
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Performing Georgia (video still). |
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With Michel Baroin (video still). |
The show - hosted by Renaud, presided by Gilbert Bécaud, and directed by Jean Louis Cap - was televized by Antenne 2.
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The footage of the show has survived. Before and during the ceremony Ray was surrounded by six show girls. After being led on stage, he performed a unique version of
Georgia On My Mind, starting with a lengthy, brilliant piano solo.
Read
this post for Ray's second appearance at
Les Victoires.
The day before, Ray had received the medal of
Commandeur de l' Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from
Philippe de Villiers, the French
Secrétaire d'État auprès du Ministre de la Culture. The
France 2 news show of that day reported on the ceremony, and showed Ray singing
For Mamma. Source:
Ina, ID CAB86032606. Photos
here.
The event was also covered by Pathé.
The Gaumont Pathé archives keep a 7:56 reel (ID# 1746).
* J.P. Verger was so kind to inform me on this event.
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