Claude Léveillée

Claude Léveillée
Claude Léveillée at Montreal's Francofolies, by Victor Diaz Lamich, October 2006.
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Gérard Adolphe Claude Léveillée
Born(1932-10-16)16 October 1932
Montreal, Canada
Died9 June 2011(2011-06-09) (aged 78)
Mirabel, Quebec
Canada
GenresComedy
Occupations
  • Actor
  • pianist
  • composer
  • singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Piano
  • guitar
  • drums
Years active1956–2004

Claude Léveillée (16 October 1932 – 9 June 2011) was a Canadian actor, pianist, and singer-songwriter who composed more than 400 songs, instrumental pieces, and musicals.

In 1959, Léveillée co-founded Les Bozos, an informal collective of Quebec chansonniers. He notably collaborated with Édith Piaf, writing several songs for her, including "Les Vieux Pianos," "Ouragan," and "Boulevard du Crime." He also composed for a number of Quebec artists, including Julie Arel—"Merci à toi" (1976)—and Nicole Martin, with songs such as "Il est en nous l'amour" (1985), "Mon père et ma mère," and "On s’aimera" (both 1987). Léveillée performed widely, with appearances in France, the Soviet Union, Belgium, Switzerland, and Japan. His acting credits include roles in the film Line of Demarcation (1966) and the television series Scoop (1991–1994).