MICHEL
BERGER
LUC
PLAMONDON
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MICHEL
BERGER
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Lyricist and composer
In 1968, his
first album "Puzzle" was released. Three years later, Michel Berger met
singer Véronique Sanson. He produced her two first albums. Michel
Berger also worked with Françoise Hardy ("Message Personnel") and
France Gall ("Il jouait du Piano Debout", "Evidemment", "Débranche",
"Ella, elle l'a").
In 1978-1979,
"Starmania" was created.
In 1980, Michel
Berger had his first experience on stage at the Champs-Elysées Theatre
in Paris. His show involved 40 musicians. He then performed in two huge
Paris concert halls : the Palais des Sports in 1984 and the Zénith
in 1986.
He directed all
France Gall's shows and in 1989, Johnny Hallyday's concert at the Zénith.
1990 was dedicated
to his show "La
Légende de Jimmy".
After writing
7 albums for France Gall and 7 for himself, "Double Jeu", the first album
which was recorded by both Michel Berger and France Gall was due to lead
to a concert.
Michel Berger
died on August 2nd, 1992.
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LUC
PLAMONDON
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Born in Quebec
When he was in
highschool in the late 50s, Luc Plamondon started to write songs and plays.
His first impressive theatre experience was "l'Opéra de quat'
sous" by Brecht and Kurt Weil. He started then to think about working
on musical theatre. As a fan of Presley and Ferré, Tennessee Williams
and Jean-Paul Sartre, he was attracted by New York City and Paris. After
studying in many cities in Europe, he thought about teaching or becoming
a journalist but he kept on writing songs. As a fan of The Rolloing Stones
and The Beatles and American rock bands, he decided that he would write
rock songs in French.
Back in Montreal
in 1970, he worked with Diane Dufresne and composer François Cousineau.
He wrote songs for many singers from Quebec such as Fabienne Thibeault,
Nanette Workman, Robert Charlebois, Martine Saint-Clair and Marie Carmen.
He also wrote two rock operas for Diane Dufresnes : "Opéra-Cirque",
which premiered in Montreal in 1973, and "Dioxine de Carbone" which
opened in Paris in 1983. His references regarding rock operas are "Hair",
"Tommy", "Ziggy Stardust" and "Jesus Christ Superstar".
In 1978 "Starmania"
was created.
In 1979, he started
to write songs for international singers such as Julien Clerc, Catherine
Lara, Nicole Croisille, Pétula Clarck, Murray Head, Richard Cocciante,
Françoise Hardy, Johnny Hallyday, Régine, Céline Dion,
Gino Vanelli, etc...
In 1985, he worked
with Barbara on "Lilly Passion" and in 1990, "La
Légende de Jimmy" opened in Paris. The show was directed
by Jérôme Savary and featured Dianne Tell, Tom Novembre, Renaud
Hantson and Nanette Workman.
In September
1991, the album "Sand et les Romantiques" featuring Catherine Lara,
Véronique Sanson, Daniel Lavoie and Richard Cocciante was released
in Paris. The show was then premiered at the Châtelet Theatre in
Paris and directed by Alfredo Arias.
Céline
Dion's album called "Dion chante Plamondon" was a success in Quebec. It
was released in France in 1993 with another title : "Des mots qui sonnent".
It is also in
1993 that a new production of "Starmania" opened at the Mogador
Theatre in Paris. This production led to the premiere of the English version
made by Tim Rice. Indeed, "Tycoon" was presented once a week.
Luc Plamondon
came back to France in 1998 to premiere the new show he wrote with Richard
Cocciante : "Notre-Dame de Paris".
Last update : 5 Apr
1999
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