Born in Bucharest, he made his debut at age 18 by joining a student band, having just graduated from the Gheorghe Șincai High School in his native city.

Some music critics have compared his talent and public appeal to the likes of Frank Sinatra or Maurice Chevalier.

His showmanship and charm were able to attract audiences of all ages, while his music influences combine folk with classical orchestra arrangements.

He holds the record for the number of most original (composed and performed) songs (over 1,500),[citation needed] in an amazingly varied discography, many of which became national hits and which were covered again and again by other Romanian artists.

[2] On 5 May 2003, then-President Ion Iliescu appointed Gică Petrescu as a Knight of the Order of the Star of Romania, as he celebrated his 88th birthday.