Biography
Bruno Coquatrix (born 5 August 1910 in Ronchin, Nord – died 1 April 1979) was a French music producer who owned and managed the Olympia Hall in Paris from 1954 until his passing in 1979.
Initially recognized as a songwriter and composer, Coquatrix created over 300 songs, including "Mon ange" (1940), "Dans un coin de mon pays" (1940), "Clopin-clopant" (1947), and "Cheveux dans le vent" (1949), as well as several operettas. He also worked as an impresario, representing artists such as Jacques Pills and Lucienne Boyer.
Before assuming control of the Olympia Hall, Europe’s largest music venue, in 1954, he managed the variety theatre Bobino. In 1956, during a "tomorrow's number 1" audition at the Olympia, Coquatrix, along with Lucien Morrisse and Eddie Barclay, discovered the then-unknown cabaret singer Dalida. He went on to present many prominent stars of the era, including Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel, Gilbert Bécaud, Ewa Demarczyk, Johnny Hallyday, Violetta Villas, Édith Piaf, Annie Cordy, Charles Aznavour, Mireille Mathieu, and Yves Montand.
Coquatrix also co-founded the record label Disques Versailles.
During the 1950s, he served as director of the Cabourg casino in Calvados and was mayor of Cabourg from 1971 until his death in 1979. His tenure as mayor focused on tourism development, real estate expansion, and increasing the number of Cabourg’s sister cities by eleven.
He was married to Paulette Coquatrix.
Coquatrix was the best man at the weddings of Henri Betti in 1949 and André Hornez in 1963, both composers of the song "C'est si bon." He was laid to rest in Père Lachaise Cemetery (division 96). In November 2010, "Rue Bruno Coquatrix," a street adjacent to the Olympia Hall in Paris, was named in his honor. In Cabourg, where he served as mayor, the central square was named "Place Bruno Coquatrix," featuring a commemorative stele dedicated to him.
