Among the Quebecers - 8

 

JEAN LAPOINTE (1935-2022) was a humorist, singer-songwriter, actor and from 2001 to 2010, a senator. Before undertaking a brilliant solo career, he formed with Jérôme Lemay the duo Les Jérolas, les fantasists the most popular in Quebec for twenty years. His shows, a combination of songs, comic skits and imitations allowed him to hold the playbill for weeks at a time at Place des Arts and to break ticket sales records across the province. Quebecers also owe him his foundation, which helps people struggling with various addictions. Nana and Jean crossed paths in television studios in their beginnings and met once again on the stage of "Tout le monde en parle" in 2006.

SERGE LAPRADE (1941-2024) became known as a singer during the 1960’s. His discography includes around ten albums. He also devoted himself to writing, television and radio. It's finally as talkshow host that ultimately won out. He interviewed Nana during the period when he animated "Le Brunch" in 1981.

Impresario and producer, GUY LATRAVERSE (1939-2023) played a pioneering role in promoting music, comedy and variety in Quebec. His first major production was in 1968 with the revolutionary show L’Osstidcho. In 1979, he founded the gala "Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo" (ADISQ). He is also co-founder of the FrancoFolies of Montreal. In this context he attended Nana’s press conference in 2004. That day, she received a new golden record.

Quebec pop music star, DONALD LAUTREC (1940- ) spent the biggest part of his career during the Sixties, evolving between yé-yé and folk rock. He was a regular guest at the variety show “Jeunesse d’aujourd’hui” which reached teenage viewers. His abilities as a singer made him worthy of being selected to record the theme song of Expo 67. After his break in Europe, he carried, in 1968, a 41 date tour in France with Nana’s troop. He also played in several films and has been a television host. In 2009, Donald made a return to Music with a new album followed by a tour. In the wake of his 70 years old, he saw again his fans and the youngest quite as enthusiastic and didn’t lose anything of his elegance and his charisma.

DIANE LAVALLÉE (1955- ) is a vocational actress who made ​​her beginnings in a popular television serie in 1976. Since then, she got a lot of roles on the small screen, in cinema and especially in theatre. Altogether, we could see her in some forty productions. A lot of Quebecers noticed her because of her caricatured portrayal of Thérèse in the TV series "La petite vie". More recently, in the movie "Honey I’m in Love", she incarnated a Nana look-alike.

DANIEL LAVOIE (1949- ) was born in Manitoba, but he started his career as author-composer-interpreter after having settled in Quebec. In 1983, "Ils s’aiment" became the first québécois song to gain extraordinary success in Europe. Fifteen years later, Lavoie was part of the production of "Notre-Dame de Paris". Nana had already said that one day she would like to record one of his songs. Making it a reality, he composed the music for "La chance". Together, they sang "Les feuilles mortes" during the opening gala of the 2004 Francofolies de Montreal.

ROGER LEBEL (1926-1994) began his artistic career on the radio as he became famous as an advertiser-actor. He animates programs in which he sings, plays and interviews a lot of personalities including Nana during her first visit here in 1965. Over the years, he realized his childhood dreams by asserting himself as an actor in several movies, plays and television series. Quebecers remember him mainly for his role of impresario in the TV serie "Du tac au tac" aired from 1976 to 1982.

Autor, composer, singer, host, actor and writer, FÉLIX LECLERC (1914-1988) was the first Québécois to pierce into France. He was considered as one of the greats of the French Song, well before Brel and Brassens. Guitar under his arms, the famous chansonnier sang "Moi mes souliers" which earned him a grand prix de l’Académie of Charles Cros in 1951. He returned to settle in Quebec in 1970, in a house that he himself built on the Isle d'Orléans. He lived there until the end of his days, dedicating the majority of his time to writing. Leclerc is one of those that contributed to the cultural education of French music to Nana, when she first arrived in Paris. Thanks to him, she learned to pay attention to the lyrics. To better understand and appreciate them, she read them. Nana had the opportunity to see him on stage and to meet him. She admired him for his authenticity: his repertoire, his way of singing and saying things. In her opinion, "Le petit Bonheur" remains his greatest work. This reminds us that we must take the time to savor the little happinesses that fill our lives.

Among the Quebecers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15