Born in Tunis on August 2, 1946, Michel Corring (real name) grew up in Montluçon, France, where his family settled, from the age of twelve. Influenced by the American writers of the Beat Generation and the songs of Jean Ferrat, he wrote the songs that made up his first album Les Paumés (1969), arranged by Jean-Claude Vannier and released by Disques P.D.G., the label of Danyel Gérard, who signed his lead single "La Route". Reissued under this title in 1974, it sold 300,000 copies and launched the career of the singer-songwriter, who subsequently recorded the album Laissez Nous Vivre (1975), on which Michel Corringe is accompanied by brothers André, Michel and Joël Hervé, and on which Maria Popkiewicz sings, followed by En Public (1976), Tatouage (1978), J'ai Mal, J'ai Peur Mais Je T'Aime (1979) and Aldebaran (1982) for RCA. The latter, recorded at Château d'Hérouville, features contributions from Dan Ar Braz (guitar), Michel Santangeli (drums) and Jacky Thomas (bass). After performing at the Printemps de Bourges festival in 1984, Michel Corringe withdrew from the music industry. In 1998, he reinterpreted some of his best-known songs, including "La Route", "Les Paumés", "Les Saintes Maries", "Me reposer" and "Je suis", on the album Phénix. After living in Lyon and Brest, Michel Corringe died in Lorette, near Saint-Étienne, on October 2, 2001 at the age of 55.
