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Aznavour, 93, who was born Shahnour Varinag
Aznavourian in Paris to Armenian parents, has sold more than 100
million records in 80 countries. He has been described as
France's equivalent to Frank Sinatra.
The singer on Thursday described himself as happy at the honor -
with reservations.
"The word I can say is happy, and with a part of emotion, of
course, because we are far away from my country, from my way of
living, from my way of being received by the people," he said at
the Hollywood ceremony.
Aznavour began his career peddling his words and music to the
Paris boulevardiers of the 40s and 50s - Edith Piaf, Maurice
Chevalier and Charles Trenet.
He soon became adept himself at interpreting emotional love
songs, recording hits like "She," "Hier Encore" (Yesterday When
I Was Young), "Apres l'Amour" (After Love) and "La Boheme."
Aznavour is also known for his humanitarian work in Armenia,
especially after the 1988 earthquake that killed tens of
thousands of people. He was granted Armenian citizenship in 2008
and was appointed in 2009 to be that country's ambassador to
Switzerland, a position he still holds.
(Reporting by Reuters Television; Editing by Peter Cooney)
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