Nicknamed the "Mozart of the Walkman" by Renaud in a 1981 song, crowned "prince of romanticism" by the former First Lady Nancy Reagan, the artist revealed in 1977 by the heady melody of "Ballade pour Adeline" - sold to over of 22 million copies in 38 countries- has never left the scene since.

He claims to date more than 2,000 concerts, 1,400 recordings and 90 million albums crowned by 340 gold and platinum records.

Followed by two million people on Facebook, one of the world's most popular pianists still can't believe it: "I was very surprised by the success. I was Thierry Le Luron's pianist, and the composer Paul de Senneville offered me one day to adapt to the piano + Ballad for Adeline +. We said to ourselves 'we'll see what happens'...", he tells AFP.

"It was a terrible detonator for my career. Yet we were in the middle of the disco period... This very simple melody, which became universal, touched people's hearts. Since then, I have never stopped...", confides Richard Clayderman, 68, before a new tour that will take him to Latin America, the United States, Canada and China this year.

He started playing at the age of five, his father being a piano teacher and giving lessons on the family instrument placed in the living room.

Richard Clayderman in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, January 28, 2022 JOEL SAGET AFP / Archives

"I was naturally attracted. He gave me the basics and I was admitted to the Conservatory when I was twelve," recalls Richard Clayderman, who has accompanied several artists including Thierry Le Luron.

“He imposed me on the shows. I owe him a lot …”, he continues.

"No one is a prophet in his own country!"

After the success of "Ballade pour Adeline", he performed thirteen times at the prestigious Salle Pleyel, then dedicated to classical music.

"I've always had detractors... Classical musicians still don't understand, except those who accompany me on stage. At the end of the concert, they realize the fervor of the public. It's a bit of a little revenge”, notes Richard Clayderman.

He is delighted that the public can be interested in the classical repertoire through his music: "My greatest reward is the children who start the piano with my pieces", explains the one who still considers himself "a modest interpreter".

He praises the work of composer Paul de Senneville who, although he does not play any instrument, "has the gift of finding melodies that speak to people".

Richard Clayderman in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, January 28, 2022 JOEL SAGET AFP / Archives

"My job is to transcribe them for the piano and to interpret them. I go to great lengths to make it sound good," he describes.

Despite everything, he regrets that success abroad has taken him away from France, a phenomenon which also concerns Mireille Mathieu, another ambassador of French variety throughout the world.

"I am somewhere between a classical pianist and a pianist of popular music. This title of + prince of romanticism + that Mrs. Reagan gave me goes very well with the music that I play. In France, it is a bit pejorative, whereas abroad, France is the homeland of romanticism", underlines the musician who lives in Paris.

"It is well known: no one is a prophet in his country...", he smiles.

© 2022 AFP