Photo: The late great Jocelyne Jocya with superstar Angie Dickinson who devoted lots of efforts, time and resources to help and protect children around the world. Angie Dickinson the gentle giant is a national treasure.

The world is full of talents, inventors, artists, singers, performers, half crazy-half genius people…and of course dark alleys of misfortune. Injustice, warm rays of hopes, loving folks and sweet songs to remember…faces we love and memories we  cherish.  This is the world we live in. But the world becomes safer and happier, the rivers flow smoother and flashes of joy, love  and tranquillity enter our homes when the providence blesses our world with the presence of people who bring warmth and beauty to our lives, people like Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Madame Curie, Tagor, Cole Porter, Victor Hugo, unsung heroes, martyrs, saints, and people like Jocelyne Jocya! The day she died on August 18, 2003,  the French music was shattered on stage, on records and in the hearts of millions around the world. Her death killed me, for she was one of the most talented and brilliant singers of the century, and one of the most generous and loving human beings on the face of the earth. She was larger than life! She was a diva, a saint, a humanitarian, a celestial artist, an adventurer, a giver, a story-teller,  and defender of the rights of children. When she passed away, a part of my heart died with her. She was worshiped by millions around the globe and admired by the giants of the music, showbiz and entertainment world  of our time. International stars and celebrities  such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Maria Callas, Dalí, Jaques Brel, Brigitte Bardot, Dario Moreno, Tom Jones, Henry Salvador, Gloria Lasso, Edith Piaf, Michel Legrand, Nina Simone, Burt Bacharach, Jacques Brel, Gilbert Becaud, Angie Dickinson, Paul Anka, Nina Mouskouri, Jacqueline Kennedy, former Russian President Kruschev, the Queen of England, the Shah Hin Shah of Persia were her fans. The list is endless. She conquered the world with her voice, her music, millions of copies of her records in many languages, and above all by her generosity and love for children. Her motto was “L’amour, toujours l’amour”, meaning: Love, always love. She meant more. She meant: charity, generosity, peace, affection, love, beauty, music, adventures, hopes, dreams, talents and forgiveness. Like many geniuses and prodigies, she was discovered at an early age in her life. Peter Duncan, the British television host of “In Town Tonight” from the London BBC heard Jocelyne Jocya sing at the Casa Pepe restaurant in London, and on the spot asked her to appear on his TV show  at the age of 14, later to be invited  to appear at the Ed Sullivan Show.

In France, Europe and Francophone world, Jocelyne Jocya was one of the most illustrious singers and admired divas of La Chanson Française. By the end of the fifties and the dawn of the sixties, she was the reigning queen of the French music-hall. Jocelyne's songs like "L'Arlequin de Tolede,", "Par Ce Cri", immortalized her name forever, even though, some of these songs were recorded for and sang originally by other superstars like Gilbert Becaud, Charles Trenet and Les Compagnions de La Chanson. She did it differently, with much more emotion, originality, tenderness, brilliance and warm beauty. She would take any song and turned it into an international hit. Her greatest hit was "Bon Voyage" her original recording. This song cemented her world fame and virtually launched her career as a French superstar. "Bon Voyage" became an international hit, selling millions of records around the globe. Her magnificent career began at 17 when she won a talent contest at the prestigious Olympia Theater in Paris. The legendary Edith Piaf offered her the first prize. And what price it was! A brand new car. That's was something for the young Jocelyne. This first success will lead to many others to follow, such as  the most prestigious award in France "Coq d'Or de la Chanson Française"  (she won it three times) along with the "Musicorama". The early success of Jocelyne at the Olympia Theater was followed by a series of recordings by major international labels such as CBS Records, Vogue and Polydor. Her records invaded the world and were heard in more than 115 countries. Many world famous recording artists wanted to be part of her musical world and share her success. They had to perform with Jocelyne, whether on stage, in an international tour or via duets. Some of the superstars of the era who jointly performed with Jocelyne were Neil Sedaka, Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis and Joe Cocker. Jocelyne appeared on numerous famous shows such as the  Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show", the "David Frost Show" and the "Sammy Davis Jr. Telethon". She toured the world and performed at the most prestigious stages, theaters and concert halls around the globe, from Paris to New York and from Monte Carlo to Israel, Lebanon and Africa. Continues Next