Daniel Lavoie: creative path and biography of the musician

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

This French-speaking Canadian singer began his career in the 1970s. Despite the fact that the elegant repertoire and pleasant timbre often made Daniel Lavoie take the pinnacle of success, he also experienced failure. But on both sides of the Atlantic, his popularity has never wavered.

Childhood

Daniel Lavoie's parents were residents of the French-speaking community in Manitoba. Here, in the heart of Canada, in March 1949, the couple had a son, who was named Joseph. In addition to him, the Lavoie couple raised five more children, including two adopted ones. Joseph showed an interest in playing the piano from an early age. The singer's mother, who had excellent musical taste, opened the world of opera and classical music to her son.

Training

At school, Daniel Lavoie put on his own shows, where he sang, acted out sketches and played musical instruments. He was a real man-orchestra, owned a saxophone, guitar, trumpet, drums.

At the age of 14, the future singer entered the Jesuit College "Saint Boniface". Here he had to face discrimination against French-speaking Canadians. Pupils were given only 45 minutes a day to study their native language. Daniel often felt humiliated. But that's what made Lavoie learn how to fight. In addition to music, the young man was attracted to medicine. But Daniel chose the direction that was easier for him.

First steps

There was a teacher in the Jesuit college who made the pupils write in verse every morning about how they spent the previous day. As a result of such training, the first song of Daniel Lavoie was born. The translation of a couple of lines into Russian sounds like this: "The autumn wind blows so coldly, so monotonously that sometimes I cry."

At the age of eighteen, Daniel Lavoie won a competition organized by Canadian radio. The musician did not consider this a big victory, as he was the only contestant. But here Lavoie met Frank Dervi and Jean-Pierre Ferland. This played a decisive role in the fate of Daniel.

Quebec

Until 1969, Larua played in small bands. Then he left for Latin America. But even there he did not find recognition. In 1970, the musician moved to Quebec. He managed to conquer the city, becoming a regular performer in bars and restaurants, taking a pseudonym for himself, under which he still performs. With a small group of musicians, the singer traveled all over the province of Belle. At the same time, the first songs of Daniel Lavoie were released. Unfortunately for the performer, they did not find public recognition.

Success

The real breakthrough in the career of a musician occurred in 1975. His debut album "I left my island" was well received by listeners in France, Brazil and Portugal. Two years later, the second collection of Daniel Lavoie was released: "Lullaby for a Lion". But the album "Blue Nirvana", recorded in 1979, brought real success and wide popularity to the singer. At that time, Laroy lived in two countries, moving between Quebec and Paris. Albums of the musician began to come out one after another. Lavoie managed to receive many music awards. The singer became famous not only in Europe, but also in the USA.

Musicals

The talented musician did not limit himself to writing and performing songs. In 1998, the world premiere of Daniel Lavoie's musical "Notre Dame de Paris" took place. This French-Canadian production of Victor Hugo's work of the same name was a collaboration between Riccardo Coccante and Luc Plamondon. The singer got the role of the young priest Frollo. Daniel Lavoie has done a great job with this look over the years. Simultaneously with participation in the performance, the musician wrote songs for other performers: Lara Fabian, Natasha St. Pierre, Luc Duffo, Bruno Pelletier, Marie-Jo Theriault. In 2002, Lavoie was invited to play the role of Pilot in the musical The Little Prince. The singer returned to performing activities in 2004.

Russia

The artist's first visit to Russia took place in 2010. He gave a solo concert in Moscow. At the end of the same year, Lavoie joined the musical "Notre Dame dePari", which recreated the original production. The performance was also presented in St. Petersburg and Kyiv. In 2013, Lavoie participated in a show that presented the best songs of the sensational musical. In addition, the musician gave several concerts in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Other activities

Daniel Lavoie has several movie roles. The musician starred in such films as "The Incredible Journey of an Angel", "The Book of Eve", "Ramp Lights", "Felix Leclerc", "Antigone 34". He wrote music for several cartoons, released an album with children's songs. Participated in the project "Twelve Men Gathered Together". He published two collections of poems. For three years he led the author's program on the radio. Since 1985, Daniel Lavoie has been actively involved in charity work.

Captive unicorn

In the spring of 2014, an interesting recording appeared, on which the musician worked together with Canadian composer Laurent Guardo. "Captured Unicorn" is an unusual musical project on the theme of mythology and classical legends, in which the vocals are accompanied by the playing of ancient musical instruments.

Family

Daniel Lavoie admits that he does not like to flaunt his personal life. The wife of the musician is the poetess Louise Duboc. She took part in the creation of several songs of the artist. Most of all, Lavoie appreciates in his wife an even and calm character, because outside the stage he himself is a modest person. The couple have three children.

One of the sons(Joseph) directs and participates in staging shows and concerts of the singer. Mathieu Lavoie became a microprocessor designer. Daughter Gabrielle chose the profession of a horse trainer. The family lives in a country house where the singer is engaged in gardening.