Legault offers national funeral for ‘musical giant' Serge Fiori
Serge Fiori, founder of the rock band Harmonium speaks during an interview in Montreal, Tuesday, November 15, 2016, during the launch of L'Heptade XL, a remastered, remixed version of the band's 1976 double album L'Heptade. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
The Quebec government is open to organizing a national funeral for singer-songwriter Serge Fiori if the family agrees.
Premier François Legault made the announcement in a social media post on Wednesday, the day after the death of the founder of the band Harmonium.
'Serge Fiori was a musical giant who touched the hearts of several generations of Quebecers. To honour his memory, the Quebec government is open to organizing a national funeral, if the family so wishes. A way of underlining the immense legacy he leaves to the people of Quebec.'
Fiori died on Tuesday at the age of 73. His passing, on Quebec's Fête Nationale holiday, sparked a wave of tributes from politicians and artists.
Fiori's musical career truly took off in 1974 with the release of the eponymous album Harmonium. The song Pour un instant became a classic of Quebec music.
The group released only two other albums—Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison and L'Heptade—before splitting up, but they left a lasting mark on Quebec culture.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 25, 2025.
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