Richard Clayderman

French Pianist and Romantic Music Icon

Richard Clayderman is a French pianist who has achieved worldwide recognition for his romantic, easy-listening piano music. Born Philippe Pagès on December 28, 1953, in Paris, he adopted his stage name when he began his recording career. Clayderman's breakthrough came with the release of his rendition of "Ballade pour Adeline," composed by Paul de Senneville in 1976. This piece became a massive hit, selling over 22 million copies in 38 countries. It set the stage for a prolific career that has seen him record over 1,300 melodies and sell more than 150 million records globally, making him one of the most successful pianists in the world.