RIP Francis Lai

France’s Culture Ministry says French composer Francis Lai who won an Oscar for his iconic movie score in “Love Story,” has died. He was 86. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi, who led nationwide tributes to Lai, who died on Wednesday, said he hopes to name “an emblematic place of our city” after the self-taught music legend who was born in the city in 1932. Lai started as an accordionist but quickly rose through the ranks as a composer, writing songs for singers including Edith Piaf and Yves Montand. Lai also composed “A Man and a Woman” for 1966’s Academy Award-winning movie of the same name. It featured the well-known musical jingle “Ddabadabada.” Lai’s success culminated with his 1970 Academy Award for the score of “Love Story,” one of the most enduring romantic movies of all time. Its main song “Where Do I Begin?” boasts household recognition even among those unfamiliar with the movie, thanks to popular vocal renditions by Andy Williams and Shirley Bassey. Lai composed three scores for Euro-westerns: "In the Dust of the Sun" (1971), "The Legend of Frenchie King" (1971), "Another Man, Another Chance" (1977).