Quebec singer-songwriter Serge Fiori dies at 73
By La Presse Canadienne
Singer-songwriter Serge Fiori, founder of the band Harmonium, died Tuesday at the age of 73.
His manager at GSI Musique, Serge Grimaux, confirmed the news on social media.
'It is with great regret that we inform you that in the early hours of this Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Serge Fiori passed away from the consequences of a long illness,' he wrote in a statement.
'Serge left us as he lived, with that legendary smile that shone on all those who knew him, all those to whom he brought immense joy, and on this country that was his, in his heart and in his eternal passion,' he added.
L'Étoile du Lac was the first media outlet to report the news of his death at his home in Lac-Saint-Jean. Born in Montreal in 1952, Fiori was immersed in music from a young age, as his father was the leader of a dance band.
His musical career truly took off in 1974 with the release of the self-titled album 'Harmonium.' The song 'Pour un instant' would become a classic of Quebec music.
The group would only release two more albums — 'Si on avait besoin d'une cinque saison' and 'L'Heptade' — before disbanding.
This didn't end Fiori's career, however. In 1977, he wrote the song 'Duodadieu' with Luc Plamondon and François Cousineau. He recorded it as a duet with Diane Dufresne. He also collaborated in 1978 with Richard Séguin on the album 'Deux cents nuits à l'heure,' which received numerous awards at the very first ADISQ gala held the following year.
The singer-songwriter's career has been marked by several hiatuses and returns to the stage.
Fiori was named a Knight of the National Order of Quebec at the last insignia ceremony on June 18. He was absent from the event.
A wave of tributes
Serge Fiori's legacy on Quebec was highlighted by several politicians shortly after the announcement of his death.
The leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, notably called him a 'true ambassador of Quebec culture.'
'Serge Fiori was an immense lyricist and melodist. The melodies of his songs have accompanied us for over 50 years and will continue to do so in the future,' he commented on the social network X.
'There have been many great artists in Quebec. But greats of Serge Fiori's stature are few. Harmonium's three albums will outlive us all. This is eternal music, deeply human and contemporary,' wrote Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal on X.
Tributes were also numerous from the cultural community.
Singer Bruno Pelletier recounted in a Facebook post that it was thanks to him that he 'wanted to start playing guitar after the drums, and to want to write in French as a teenager.'
Singer Laurence Jalbert thanked him 'for everything you left us.' The band Salbarbes paid him a poetic tribute on Facebook, emphasizing that 'we listened to Harmonium's songs as a catalyst for our identity.'
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM.
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