At 97, Hugues Aufray continues to perform on stage, prepare new projects, and look back on his career with surprising detachment. Invited this Friday, September 18th, to RTL Matin , opposite Marc-Olivier Fogiel, the singer of " Santiano" summed up his artistic longevity in one phrase: "I've never been fashionable, that's why I'm still alive."
It's a way for the singer to remind everyone that he has spanned decades without trying to follow trends. Born on August 18, 1929, Hugues Aufray recently celebrated his 97th birthday and still displays the same desire to sing and create. This vitality is all the more remarkable given that, this summer, he himself had to deny the false reports announcing his death.
At 97, Hugues Aufray refuses to view his career as a triumph
Despite a career spanning nearly 70 years and songs that have become part of the French popular heritage, Hugues Aufray offers a rather unexpected assessment of his career. When asked what he thinks of it, he replies: "It's a failure."
The singer doesn't question the success of his songs. His regret lies elsewhere. Before music, he dreamed of a career in the visual arts. "I wanted to be a painter, I wanted to be a sculptor ," he explains. He even continued to practice sculpture when he had the financial means: "I sculpted a little bit when I started earning some money and had the resources, a little bit of space. I did a little bit of sculpture, but I kept saying, 'Well, it's a failure.'" A surprising admission coming from an artist whose repertoire includes Santiano , Céline , Stewball , Adieu Monsieur le Professeur , Le Petit Âne gris , and Hasta Luego.
"Every day, when I go on stage, I tell myself that I'm in my brother's place."
Hugues Aufray also speaks of a family wound that continues to haunt him when he takes the stage. His brother Francesco, a musician and opera singer, died in 1955 at only 27 years old. More than 70 years after his passing, Hugues Aufray says he still thinks of him when he sings: "Every day, when I go on stage, I tell myself that I'm in my brother's place."
He describes a man who, in his opinion, possessed vocal abilities far superior to his own: “He had a splendid voice. I obviously have no connection with him. He had a natural voice; he never took lessons.” This comparison with his brother also helps to understand why Hugues Aufray refuses to present his immense career as an absolute success, despite a popularity that spans several generations.
Decorated by Emmanuel Macron, he is already going back on tour
Just a few days before this interview, Hugues Aufray received the insignia of Commander of the National Order of Merit from Emmanuel Macron. A further recognition for someone who nevertheless continues to prioritize performing on stage over celebrating his past.
At 97, retirement is not on the cards. Hugues Aufray is hitting the road again with his show Escapada! The tour is scheduled to stop in Mérignac on September 29th, then Rennes, Saint-Brieuc, Bressuire, Le Havre, Seignosse, Reims and Metz before the end of the year.
The artist performs the songs that have accompanied him for several decades. An activity he also pursues for very concrete reasons: in 2025, Hugues Aufray recounted having lost a large part of his money and continuing to work to live.
A children's school is among its new projects.
Even at 97, Hugues Aufray doesn't just talk about his memories. He's already thinking about new projects. The singer would particularly like to create a small school for children, with a very specific idea for teaching music. "I might be able to open a small school for children ," he confides. His project would notably replace traditional flute lessons with ukulele lessons.
Just days before heading back on tour, Hugues Aufray continues to juggle projects, concerts, and creative work. And when asked for an explanation for this exceptional artistic longevity, he prefers to return to the philosophy that has guided him for decades: "I've never been fashionable, that's why I'm still alive."
