Conductor, arranger, and composer Paul Mauriat's initial ambition was to become a classical pianist, which gave way to an interest in popular music and jazz. His big break came when he wrote the song "Chariot," a big European hit for Petula Clark in 1962. The following year, with English lyrics by Norman Gimbel and Arthur Altman, the retitled "I Will Follow Him" topped the US chart for Little Peggy March. Mauriat subsequently spent five weeks in the U.S. number one spot with the instrumental "‘L’Amour Est Bleu" "‘Love Is Blue"), in 1963. He repeated the feat with his album BLOOMING HITS, a collection of '60s favorites, including Eurovision winner "Puppet On A String." The album sold well over two million copies worldwide. Although he never had another hit as big as "Love is Blue," Mauriat's prodigious album output (including TV scores) and orchestral performances continued until his retirement in 1998.