Latest news with #SergeFiori
CBC
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
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.
Hamilton Spectator
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Quebec singer, songwriter Serge Fiori, founder of rock group Harmonium, dead at 73
MONTREAL - Quebec singer-songwriter Serge Fiori, founder of French-Canadian rock band Harmonium, died Tuesday at the age of 73. Serge Grimaux, Fiori's manager at GSI Musique, confirmed the death in the early morning hours of Quebec's St-Jean-Baptiste holiday, which he attributed to the consequences of a long illness. Fiori was the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band, founded with Michel Nomandeau. They were active between 1972 and 1979 and were immensely influential in Quebec. Fiori was born in 1952 in Montreal. His career took off in 1974 with the self-titled album 'Harmonium' and the song 'Pour un instant' which became a Quebec classic. Premier François Legault paid tribute on his X account, noting that Fiori left his mark on several generations of Quebecers with songs imbued with poetry, depth and sensitivity. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, writing on X, called the founder of Harmonium a 'true ambassador of Quebec culture' and said his lyrics and melodies have withstood 50 years and will continue to do so. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Quebec singer, songwriter Serge Fiori, founder of rock group Harmonium, dead at 73
MONTREAL – Quebec singer-songwriter Serge Fiori, founder of French-Canadian rock band Harmonium, died Tuesday at the age of 73. Serge Grimaux, Fiori's manager at GSI Musique, confirmed the death in the early morning hours of Quebec's St-Jean-Baptiste holiday, which he attributed to the consequences of a long illness. Fiori was the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band, founded with Michel Nomandeau. They were active between 1972 and 1979 and were immensely influential in Quebec. Fiori was born in 1952 in Montreal. His career took off in 1974 with the self-titled album 'Harmonium' and the song 'Pour un instant' which became a Quebec classic. Premier François Legault paid tribute on his X account, noting that Fiori left his mark on several generations of Quebecers with songs imbued with poetry, depth and sensitivity. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, writing on X, called the founder of Harmonium a 'true ambassador of Quebec culture' and said his lyrics and melodies have withstood 50 years and will continue to do so. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025.
Montreal Gazette
18 hours 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.
CTV News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Quebec music legend Serge Fiori dies at 73
Serge Fiori holds up his Felix award for best adult contempory album at the gala Adisq awards ceremony in Montreal, Sunday, October 26, 2014. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press) Quebec music legend Serge Fiori passed away on Tuesday, Noovo Info reported. He was 73. According to the newspaper L'Étoile du Lac, the singer-songwriter was found dead at his home in Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, in Lac-Saint-Jean. The Quebec artist of Italian origin will forever be remembered as the singer of the legendary band Harmonium, which captivated the province in the 1970s. Fiori leaves behind a legacy of timeless works in Quebec, including Pour un instant, Un musicien parmi tant d'autres, and 100 000 raisons. With files from Noovo Info
