Former Poppys lead singer Pierre-Michel Autissier is launching a new karaoke project for residents in French care homes despite living with illness and debt.
Autissier, now 66 years old, relies on a monthly pension of 700 euros and uses a wheelchair to move around. He lives in an apartment on the 12th floor of a high-rise tower in the Reynerie district of Toulouse, in southwestern France, while facing tens of thousands of euros in debt to credit agencies.
The former child vocalist said he wants to bring smiles back to elderly residents by singing for them. He explained that he is open to all performance offers and has assembled a repertoire of joyful and calming songs designed to create a lively atmosphere in retirement homes and residential care facilities, known in France as Ehpads.
Autissier composes his music using Starmakersstudios software and has all the necessary equipment to host karaoke events. As a multi-instrumentalist who plays the guitar, piano, drums and saxophone, he refuses to step away from the music industry that gave him everything before taking it back.
Career with Les Poppys and unpaid royalties
Autissier was raised in public foster care before being launched into the entertainment industry as a child. He joined Les Poppys in the early 1970s, shortly after the May 1968 social protests in France, becoming the lead voice of the young musical group when he was barely eight years old.
Les Poppys gained nationwide fame during the hippie movement with popular songs that condemned war or described the confusion of childhood romance, such as Isabelle, je t'aime. Their hit song Non, non, rien n'a changé made millions of listeners dream during the 1970s.
Despite their popularity, Autissier said the child singers never received any money from their hit records because they did not have a formal contract. The group members launched three separate lawsuits over their missing earnings, but never recovered any financial compensation.
Autissier later spent years working as a freelance entertainment worker, writing his own compositions and performing French variety songs. To earn a living, he also took on manual jobs as a factory worker, security guard and bus driver before health issues halted his working career.
Health challenges and rural refuge
Today, Autissier attempts to escape his restricted living conditions on the 12th floor of his Toulouse tower block by staying in the countryside. He occasionally house-sits a home located on the border of Ariège, a department in the Pyrenees region of southwestern France.
During his stays in the countryside, Autissier spends time gardening, observing the stars, trees and animals, and caring for a black cat that sleeps with him. He said he rejects the belief that black cats bring bad luck and noted that he feels happy despite his ongoing difficulties.
Autissier recently suffered a heavy fall, and he admitted that his dream of performing again at village festivals has permanently faded. His physical condition no longer permits him to perform live on stage, though he continues to rehearse compositions at home and still owns his production company, MPA Light.
Solidarity from fans and support groups
Three years ago, while hospitalized for the installation of another shoulder prosthesis, Autissier issued an urgent public appeal for assistance. The request revealed that Les Poppys retained strong popularity among baby boomers, prompting former fans to send financial cheques to support him.
Following his public appeal, Spedidam, the French organisation that manages performing artists' rights, provided Autissier with his wheelchair. He expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown by fans and industry peers, while noting that the scars left by show business remain the most difficult to erase.
Autissier added that administrative bureaucracy continues to annoy him alongside his financial debts. However, he declared that his primary focus remains singing for people and bringing happiness to residents in care homes.
