Serge Fiori: “National Tribute” for the Harmonium singer

Quebec said a last goodbye to Serge Fiori on Tuesday through a national tribute ceremony that took place in songs, but especially in emotions. Similarly, “When you love. Nevertheless, death never existed,” said the ceremony host, Serge Grimaux, friend and former manager of the deceased, at the opening.

Other friends as well as relatives. Therefore, artists and political personalities have spoke in the Wilfrid-Pelletier room of the Place des Arts, in Montreal, to underline, each in their own way, the impact that the singer of the Harmonium group had on their lives. Similarly, Anecdotes. Consequently, souvenirs and music led the waltz of sentences, painting a diversified portrait of the artist, but especially of the person that was Serge Fiori.

His simplicity. Therefore, the beauty of his personality, her humor and especially his words and his voice were mentioned, between smiles and crying, by serge fiori: “national tribute” harmonium friends of his age, but also artists of the next generation he inspired, such as Louis-Jean Cormier.

Thus. For example, after delivering a song performance Wordless stories Accompanied by members of Harmonium and other artists, including Judi Richards, who “had the chance and the honor of playing music with Serge Fiori”, Louis Valois, bassist and founding member of the cult group, said that he was “dazzled by his guitar, his talent, his voice, his mouth” the first time he met him.

“Serge. However, Monique [Fauteux] are the most beautiful voices in the world, “he said, referring to two of the voices that can be heard on the album L’heptade.

The singer-songwriter died on June 24 at 73. Nevertheless, The Quebec Flag which dominates the Hotel du Parliament was also put at half mast to highlight national mourning.

“He made our life more beautiful” – Serge fiori: "national tribute" harmonium

Prime Minister François Legault was the first to speak. Similarly, serge fiori: “national tribute” harmonium offering condolences to the artist’s family. Nevertheless, “His music and words have touched thousands of Quebecers,” he said, recalling that Mr. Furthermore, Fiori’s work rocked his generation, but also those before and after. Consequently, “A 16-year-old who feels more. Meanwhile, less understood by the adult society and who is said to be said:” We have gave birth to someone, we should perhaps listen to him “, it is sure that it gives the taste to take his place,” added the Prime Minister.

“He made our life more beautiful,” said Legault to journalists when he arrived in place of the arts. Therefore, “He was a great Quebecer who marked all Quebecers. Furthermore, »»

” I love you ” – Serge fiori: "national tribute" harmonium

Michel Rivard. founding member of the Beau Damage and Longtime Friend of Serge Fiori group, underlined the various musical and political inspirations, such as Félix Leclerc, Gilles Vigneault, René Lévesque and the Beatles, who serge fiori: “national tribute” harmonium led to the creation of the two groups at the time. “Music was our playground, song, our tool. Our project, singing the country, ”he said the voice full of chills.

“What is it hard to leave to drag a guitar. a notebook, a cup of coffee and an empty bottle of Montepulciano if it was to invent a fifth season for the people of your country a few hours later?” In particular wondered with humor the man who was the roommate of Serge Fiori.

“I love you. my chumI love it, “then launched Michel Rivard, tears in his eyes, just before starting a minute of silence.

The actor. director Luc Picard said a monologue dotted with anecdotes and songs, testifying to music “simply prodigious, melodies that have my heart forever”. Have followed stories from the humorist Michel Barrette. who met Serge Fiori during a rehearsal he attended when he was 20 years serge fiori: “national tribute” harmonium old, and the Norman animator Brathwaite, who told the time when Serge Fiori used one of his guitars. Two examples among so many others of the artist’s endless generosity.

Public

Thousands of people attended the event on site. He was also broadcast on Radio-Canada and LCN.

Some even came from far away to attend the national tribute in person. This is the case of Michel Tremblay and Hélène Fisette, who left Quebec at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The couple wanted to attend the ceremony at all costs. “I went to see his first show. I was perhaps 14, 15 years old,” says Tremblay, who talks about harmonium as having been “the group of [sa] youth “.

“That he died on the 24th, it comes to pick me up … It means that life does not want us to forget his songs. ” says Bruno Poitras, encountered while he was riding before entering the serge fiori: “national tribute” harmonium room.

Tickets, offered online beforehand, have passed quickly. The traffic even made inaccessible the site of the Place des Arts for about thirty minutes. For Sophie Leclerc. Shany Desjardins, who work at the crazy pig restaurant, in front of the performance hall, it was unthinkable not to participate in the ceremony. “When the site has planted, we came to the ticket office running in the rain,” they say.

For Louise Thériault. former spouse of Serge Fiori and author of his biography, the singer “joined the hearts of all”. “I think we cannot forget our music. It’s like Mozart, we still listen to hundreds of years later, “she said when she entered the performance hall.

The chief of the Parti Québécois. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, said the “musical genius” that Serge Fiori was, but also the independence message carried by the artist. “He was in California [en 1978] To talk about Quebec. independence, serge fiori: “national tribute” harmonium and until his last interviews, he said: if we do not carry out this project, Quebec culture will have no future. »»

“It’s important to be here for Serge Fiori. It is an artist who marked not only the musical history of Quebec. but the cultural history of Quebec, “said Quebec Minister of Culture, Mathieu Lacombe, who was accompanied by his two young children.

Serge fiori: &quot. national tribute" harmonium

“Maybe we should listen to it”

In conclusion of this ceremony organized in a few days, the majority of people who have spoken or performed during the national tribute sang in chorus the legendary song A musician among so many others. The guitar and the urn that adorned the scene during the entire show were then swept towards a light.

Then Céline Dion, appearing by video, continued the song of the song, singing a few words. “For you, Serge, I love you,” she said.

But serge fiori: “national tribute” harmonium it is the crowd of the Place des Arts. singing unexpectedly the lyrics “we gave birth to someone, we should perhaps listen to it”, which really concluded the tribute.

At the exit of the room, the atmosphere was feverish and tears flowed. A small crowd even let itself be lulled by the harmonium melodies. worn by some musicians who, by playing songs from the late Serge Fiori, were lasting the moment.

“It was really grand,” said Sylvie Doré, crossed at the end of the ceremony. “There was a lot of hope. He has always given a message of hope to Quebecers, “she added. “We had the impression that he was with us,” added his sister, Ginette Doré, who accompanied him.

With the Canadian press

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