Champagne Charlie
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Champagne Charlie was originally a nickname given to Champagne merchant Charles Heidsieck
- In 1989, a film of Heidseick's life was made for TV starring Hugh Grant.
- see Champagne Charlie (1989 film).
- It was then turned into a music hall song.
- It became a play.
- In 1944, a musical film was made.
It was the nickname of George Leybourne who introduced it to the London music hall.
[edit] Modern usage
Subsequently, it has become to be used as a soubriquet for anyone who lives a "champagne lifestyle" in a metropolis, especially if they are from the provinces and sometimes in a derogatory sense implying that the person concerned has lost touch with their roots. In early 21st century Britain it was applied to Charles Kennedy, the leader of the Liberal Democrats.
It has also been used to describe the Scottish footballer Charlie Nicholas.
"Champagne Charlie Is My Name" was also recorded in June 1932, with different lyrics, under the name of Blind Blake (Ragtime and Blues guitar wizard and singer Blind (Arthur) Blake). It is this version of "Champagne Charlie" which was recorded and popularized again by Leon Redbone on his album "Champagne Charlie" in 1978.
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