Georgette Plana: The Eternal Voice of "Riquita" Georgette Plana (1917–2013) remains one of the most beloved figures of the French chanson scene, celebrated for her "timbre gouailleur" (cheeky, streetwise voice) and her ability to breathe new life into the classics of the 1920s. Her career was defined by a remarkable two-act structure, disappearing from the limelight for twenty years only to return with the smash hit that would become her signature: "Riquita". Early Career and the First Success

In 1968, after two decades away, Plana staged a spectacular comeback by recording " Riquita ," a fox-trot song originally written in 1926 by Ernest Dumont and Louis Bénech. The timing was unexpected, yet the song became an immense success, selling over 450,000 copies and reaching the top of the hit parades.

Born in Agen, France, Plana began her artistic journey as a music-hall dancer in Bordeaux before moving to Paris in 1941 to pursue singing. During the 1940s, she gained popularity performing alongside legends like Bourvil at the Alhambra and the Folies-Belleville. She was known for her energy and her repertoire of "chansons réalistes," including hits like "Le Petit Rat de l'opéra".