Albert Raisner

Albert Raisner (30 September 1922 in Apolda, Germany – 1 January 2011 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France) was a French harmonica player, founder of the award-winning Trio Raisner and a TV and radio host and producer. He was the host of the hit show "Age Tendre et Tetes de Bois", which aired from 1961 to 1967 and featured world-renowned artists including The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes and French singers Johnny Hallyday and Claude Francois. He is regarded as an icon and a pioneer of French television, sometimes compared to Ed Sullivan, and was knighted by the French president in 1977.

Born in the Thuringian town Apolda of a French father and a German mother, Albert Raisner arrived in Paris at age 7. His socially modest family lived in Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement of the capital in a 400 square feet apartment. He had two brothers, one older, one younger.

His father was a sales representative and music enthusiast, who taught him violin, piano, trumpet, guitar and clarinet early on. He received classical musical training; nevertheless, harmonica was his favorite instrument. He was a member of the boy scouts, whom he considered his first audience when he played during vigils around camp fire. He refined his talent with musician Charles Rodriguez, a gypsy guitarist, violinist, man band and French harmonica pioneer. Until 1939, he participated in the activities of Studio Rodriguez (officially 'French Association for Musical Expansion') and became known…