He studied at national musical Conservatoire in Paris and won the "Prix de Rome" in 1945.
In 1987, composer of the jingle for all-news radio channel France Info.
In 1969, caricatured as orchestra conductor in comic book "Astérix en Hispanie" ("Asterix in Spain") by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo.
Grand Prix de Rome in 1945 for his cantata "La farce du contrebandier".
From 1970 to 1990, he was president of the SACEM (Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Editeurs de Musique) alternating with Pierre Delanoë. He was named honorary president after that.