Latest news with #L'Heptade
Ottawa Citizen
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
Kelly: Revered Quebec singer Serge Fiori was loved by both solitudes
Article content He didn't write all that much music in the 40-plus years since L'Heptade, but when he did, like for his very good solo album from 2014, it was as great as ever and became a huge hit. Article content After he died on June 24, the day of La Fête de la Saint-Jean, so many online were talking about the heavy symbolism of him leaving us on Quebec's national holiday. He was as loved as any contemporary Québécois artist and was a tireless defender of the French language and culture here right up to the end of his life. Article content Given all that, it's quite the rich irony that the local French-language music biz here was initially cool to Harmonium. I've met and interviewed Fiori many times over the years and he often told the story of how French radio in Montreal wasn't into the band in the early days. The first station to play Pour un instant was CHOM, and because of that Fiori always had a soft spot for the anglo classic-rock station. Article content Article content The band also signed with a Toronto-based disco label, rather than with any of the Montreal record companies. They often toured Canada to packed venues and even played throughout California, opening for Supertramp. Article content Article content Article content I asked him how it was that English-Canadians were so into Harmonium. Article content 'I don't know, but it was the first time a (Quebec) band was going there, all through Canada, with nights and nights booked in every city,' Fiori said. 'You'd go on stage and there's like 3,000 people at the Orpheum in Vancouver. And they sing the words in French, and that's very rare.' Article content The record company CBS offered to pay him to re-record the Harmonium songs in the language of Lennon and he turned them down. That day in the fall of 2022, I asked him why he said 'no'. Article content Article content 'Cause I'm nuts,' he said with a laugh. 'First of all, there's something about writing rock 'n' roll in French that is extremely hard. It's pretty easy in English. It sounds good with nothing. Once you get it (in French), it's so profound. The song is so amazing, so even translating that in English, for me it wouldn't work… and I think if I would have done that, Quebec would have turned against me.' Article content He said the reaction in Western Canada was exactly the same as it was here in Quebec — people just adored Harmonium. They told him they didn't care what language the songs were in, 'It was just the music.' Article content Article content He recalled travelling to Toronto with the band to meet with the executives at Quality Records and on the spot the label gave them five grand to make an album in Montreal, something no local label was willing to do. Article content 'We were too weird (for the Montreal record companies),' Fiori said. Article content But so accessible as well, you touched the heart of everyone, said Borne. Article content 'Yeah, but they didn't believe that,' Fiori said. Article content To which I chimed in, 'proving my theory that the vast majority of these record-company people know nothing.' Article content 'Thank you very much,' Fiori said quietly. Article content Then he started laughing. Article content
Montreal Gazette
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Kelly: Revered Quebec singer Serge Fiori was loved by both solitudes
Music When Les Cowboys Fringants singer Karl Tremblay died in November 2023, I wrote a column about how the two solitudes were still very much a thing ici — and, yes, they still are today. I vented my frustration about how Tremblay's death was an absolutely huge thing for French Quebec and yet so few English-speaking folks 'round these parts had any idea just how important Tremblay and his band were for their franco neighbours. But that narrative doesn't work nearly as well with Serge Fiori. The Montreal singer-songwriter, who died Tuesday at age 73, was, of course, way better known by French-speaking music fans, but Fiori and Harmonium, the iconic progressive-rock band he founded in the early '70s, had a surprisingly strong following among English-Canadians. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Fiori's as famous in the ROC (Rest of Canada) as, say, Gord Downie or Gordon Lightfoot. But back in the day, Harmonium was one of the only francophone bands to break out beyond the borders of Quebec. First, a little background for those of you who don't know him. Fiori is positively revered in Quebec for the very good reason that he is one of the greatest musical artists of his generation. If you don't believe me, slap on Pour un instant or L'Exil or Un musicien parmi tant d'autres and tell me those tracks aren't as good as anything else produced by the best British, American or Canadian tunesmiths back in the '70s. Actually, don't tell me. Because you'd be wrong. Fiori, with his falsetto vocals, sang like an angel, and he was an unbelievably gifted composer. There's a tuneful accessibility to most of what he penned, but there's also a rich complexity, with fine-textured guitar lines and, especially as time went on, almost orchestral takes on British progressive rock. Harmonium's third and final album, L'Heptade, released in 1976, is considered their masterpiece, and it's inspired folky prog-rock that can win over a guy like me who loves to hate progsters like Genesis and Gentle Giant. By 1978, the band split up and, astonishingly enough, Fiori never performed on stage again, plagued by anxiety. In fact, he disappeared from sight for much of the 1980s. In the '70s, Harmonium as much as any other group personified the hopes and aspirations of un peuple, a mantle that Fiori was never comfortable with. He was a committed nationalist, but he was also a remarkably down-to-Earth Italian-Montrealer who had difficulty seeing himself as a saviour. He didn't write all that much music in the 40-plus years since L'Heptade, but when he did, like for his very good solo album from 2014, it was as great as ever and became a huge hit. After he died on June 24, the day of La Fête de la Saint-Jean, so many online were talking about the heavy symbolism of him leaving us on Quebec's national holiday. He was as loved as any contemporary Québécois artist and was a tireless defender of the French language and culture here right up to the end of his life. Given all that, it's quite the rich irony that the local French-language music biz here was initially cool to Harmonium. I've met and interviewed Fiori many times over the years and he often told the story of how French radio in Montreal wasn't into the band in the early days. The first station to play Pour un instant was CHOM, and because of that Fiori always had a soft spot for the anglo classic-rock station. The band also signed with a Toronto-based disco label, rather than with any of the Montreal record companies. They often toured Canada to packed venues and even played throughout California, opening for Supertramp. Three years ago, my old friend Geneviève Borne and I did a podcast interviewing local musicians in both of Canada's official languages, and we had a great conversation with Fiori. I asked him how it was that English-Canadians were so into Harmonium. 'I don't know, but it was the first time a (Quebec) band was going there, all through Canada, with nights and nights booked in every city,' Fiori said. 'You'd go on stage and there's like 3,000 people at the Orpheum in Vancouver. And they sing the words in French, and that's very rare.' The record company CBS offered to pay him to re-record the Harmonium songs in the language of Lennon and he turned them down. That day in the fall of 2022, I asked him why he said 'no'. 'Cause I'm nuts,' he said with a laugh. 'First of all, there's something about writing rock 'n' roll in French that is extremely hard. It's pretty easy in English. It sounds good with nothing. Once you get it (in French), it's so profound. The song is so amazing, so even translating that in English, for me it wouldn't work… and I think if I would have done that, Quebec would have turned against me.' He said the reaction in Western Canada was exactly the same as it was here in Quebec — people just adored Harmonium. They told him they didn't care what language the songs were in, 'It was just the music.' He recalled travelling to Toronto with the band to meet with the executives at Quality Records and on the spot the label gave them five grand to make an album in Montreal, something no local label was willing to do. 'We were too weird (for the Montreal record companies),' Fiori said. But so accessible as well, you touched the heart of everyone, said Borne. 'Yeah, but they didn't believe that,' Fiori said. To which I chimed in, 'proving my theory that the vast majority of these record-company people know nothing.' 'Thank you very much,' Fiori said quietly. Then he started laughing. 'You said it!'
Montreal Gazette
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Quebec open to holding a state funeral for Serge Fiori, Legault says
The Quebec government is open to holding a state funeral for singer-songwriter Serge Fiori, if that is the wish of the artist's family. Premier François Legault made the announcement in a social media post Wednesday, the day after the death of the founder of the band Harmonium. 'Serge Fiori was a giant of our music who touched the hearts of several generations of Quebecers. To honour his memory, the Quebec government is open, if that is the wish of the family, to holding a state funeral. It's a way to highlight the immense legacy he leaves to the people of Quebec,' Legault wrote. Serge Fiori était un géant de notre musique qui a touché le cœur de plusieurs générations de Québécois. Pour honorer sa mémoire, le gouvernement du Québec est ouvert, si c'est le souhait de la famille, à organiser des funérailles nationales. Une façon de souligner l'héritage… — François Legault (@francoislegault) June 25, 2025 Fiori died Tuesday at the age of 73. His passing, on Quebec's national holiday, sparked a wave of tributes from politicians and artists. Fiori's musical career truly took off in 1974 with the release of the self-titled album Harmonium. The song Pour un instant is now 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, leaving a lasting mark on Quebec's cultural universe.
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
Quebec singer and Harmonium frontman Serge Fiori dies at 73
Serge Fiori, singer, guitarist and founding member of the legendary Quebec band Harmonium, died Tuesday at the age of 73. His manager of 36 years, Serge Grimaux, said in a statement that Fiori died in the early hours of June 24 at his home in Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, Que., in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. Grimaux said he died following a long illness. Serge left us the same way he lived — with that legendary smile that lit up everyone who knew him, everyone he brought immense joy to, and the country that was his, in his heart and in his eternal passion, Grimaux said. He leaves behind his family, his friends, and all those in whom the songs he wrote and the harmonies he created will forever resonate. Premier François Legault praised Fiori in a lengthy social media post, saying he left a lasting mark on Quebec through songs filled with poetry, depth and sensitivity. With Harmonium, Legault said, Fiori touched the hearts of several generations of Quebecers, starting with the band's first album. By pushing the boundaries of rock music, he broadened the horizons of an entire era, Legault wrote. His work helped redefine the place of music in Quebec. Harmonium's three albums have become cult classics for our nation. He put words and melodies to what we were living and who we were. Fiori also helped bring Quebec music to the world stage, the premier noted. From Mount Royal to the stages of Europe, his voice resonated everywhere. Born in Montreal in 1952 to an Italian father and a French-speaking mother, Fiori founded Harmonium in the early 1970s with Michel Normandeau and Louis Valois. The band's three folk-rock albums — Harmonium (1974), Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison (1975) and L'Heptade (1976) — became hallmarks of Quebec's musical identity. The band stood out at a time when most Quebec acts leaned toward chanson-style music, combining complex lyrical and instrumental arrangements that helped it gain a following beyond provincial borders. Despite singing exclusively in French, Harmonium became one of the few Quebec bands of the 1970s to gain some recognition in the United States. The group's debut album, recorded in just six days, sold more than 100,000 copies and quickly topped the charts. It included Pour un instant , Harmonium's first commercial success, as well as Un musicien parmi tant d'autres . In 1978, Harmonium toured California, with Fiori joining then-premier René Lévesque in a showcase of Quebec music's vitality in the U.S. The group dissolved shortly after, worn down by relentless travel. Fiori, emotionally and physically exhausted, struggled with the effects of LSD use, which had caused a neurotransmitter disorder — a condition he described in his 2013 biography S'enlever du chemin , written by longtime friend Louise Thériault. After Harmonium disbanded, Fiori teamed up with Richard Séguin to release Deux cents nuits à l'heure in 1978, an album that won three Félix awards. He later contributed music to Yvon Deschamps's stage shows and released a self-titled solo album in 1986. He collaborated over the years with artists including Diane Dufresne and Nanette Workman. Fiori stepped away from the public eye for many years before returning in 2014 with the album Serge Fiori — his first in nearly 30 years. The record featured Le monde est virtuel , which was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2015 ADISQ gala and won Félix awards for best-selling album and adult contemporary album of the year. He also composed music for films, including the 2009 feature Babine , which earned a Félix for best original soundtrack. On Tuesday, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon called Fiori a true ambassador of Quebec culture. Serge Fiori was an immense lyricist and melodist whose songs have accompanied us for more than 50 years — and will continue to do so, St-Pierre Plamondon said, offering condolences to his family and loved ones. CBC News written by Isaac Olson, with files from Radio-Canada
Montreal Gazette
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
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.
