Serge Fiori
Encyclopedia
Serge Fiori was the lead vocalist and guitarist for Harmonium
, an influential progressive rock
band from Quebec
. After Harmonium broke up he pursued a minor solo career.
and made his performing debut in the ballroom orchestra of his father George Fiori. At age 18 he was already earning his living as a professional musician while beginning to write his own material. In 1972, a friend introduced him to Michel Normandeau who was looking for someone to write the music for a play. The project fell apart but the two struck a friendship and in 1973 they formed Harmonium.
Harmonium recorded three studio albums, adding members along the way to turn into a progressive rock group: Harmonium
(1974), Si On Avait Besoin d'une Cinquième Saison
(1975), and L'Heptade
(1976). Each LP became highly influential in the development of Quebec rock and each intensified Serge Fiori's charisma as a frontman and songwriter. Unlike other Quebec songwriters, his lyrics had a universal appeal. L'Heptade in particular revealed interests in a cosmic consciousness and oriental mysticism similar to Yes
' Jon Anderson
.
Harmonium disbanded in 1978. Fiori immediately teamed up with Richard Séguin
to record Deux Cents Nuits à l'Heure. This was also Séguin's first album apart from the group that brought him under the spotlight, Les Séguin. Most of the Harmonium musicians appeared on the 1978 LP and again on Neil Chotem
's Live au El Casino (1979) which includes two new songs by Fiori. After that the singer disappeared from the public radar, moving to Los Angeles to study meditation, computer science, and composition.
He resurfaced in 1983 as a songwriter for other artists, namely Diane Dufresne
, Nanette Workman
and stand-up comic Yvon Deschamps
. A year later he wrote and sung the theme song for the Montreal comedy festival Just for Laughs
, which would became one of the biggest attractions of its kind in the world. His 1986 solo album contains many flaws inherent to the cold production techniques of the era. He spent the 1990s writing film scores (André Forcier
's Une Histoire Inventée
in 1990, Roch Demers' Hathi in 2000 and Madame Brouette in 2002, with Mamadou Diabaté
and Majoly) and TV music, making a short set of public appearances in 1995 to present Gayatri, Maha Mrityunjaya and Shiva, three CDs of new age music.
Fiori-Séguin
Serge Fiori
Harmonium (band)
Harmonium was a Canadian progressive rock band from Montreal, Quebec.-History:Lead vocalist and guitarist Serge Fiori met Michel Normandeau in a theatre music meeting on November 1972. Later on in 1973 they met bassist Louis Valois and became Harmonium. In November 1973 the group performed their...
, an influential progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band from Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. After Harmonium broke up he pursued a minor solo career.
Biography
Serge Fiori grew up in the Italian part of MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and made his performing debut in the ballroom orchestra of his father George Fiori. At age 18 he was already earning his living as a professional musician while beginning to write his own material. In 1972, a friend introduced him to Michel Normandeau who was looking for someone to write the music for a play. The project fell apart but the two struck a friendship and in 1973 they formed Harmonium.
Harmonium recorded three studio albums, adding members along the way to turn into a progressive rock group: Harmonium
Harmonium (Harmonium album)
Harmonium was the eponymous debut album by Québécois band Harmonium released in 1974. It was their most folk driven album, and features the song that made them famous "Pour un instant"...
(1974), Si On Avait Besoin d'une Cinquième Saison
Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison
Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison , also known as Les Cinq Saisons , is the second album from Quebec band Harmonium, released in 1975....
(1975), and L'Heptade
L'Heptade
L'Heptade is the third and final album from Harmonium. It was released as a double-LP in 1976 and is considered by some critics to be one of the most important Québécois albums in popular music.-Album description:...
(1976). Each LP became highly influential in the development of Quebec rock and each intensified Serge Fiori's charisma as a frontman and songwriter. Unlike other Quebec songwriters, his lyrics had a universal appeal. L'Heptade in particular revealed interests in a cosmic consciousness and oriental mysticism similar to Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
' Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
.
Harmonium disbanded in 1978. Fiori immediately teamed up with Richard Séguin
Richard Séguin
Richard Séguin is a Canadian author, composer and singer.His music career began in the 1970s with the duo "Les Séguin", with his twin sister Marie-Claire. He has had a solo career since 1977....
to record Deux Cents Nuits à l'Heure. This was also Séguin's first album apart from the group that brought him under the spotlight, Les Séguin. Most of the Harmonium musicians appeared on the 1978 LP and again on Neil Chotem
Neil Chotem
Neil Chotem was a Canadian composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, and music educator. His compositional style is eclectic but conservative, and often incorporates elements of jazz and popular music...
's Live au El Casino (1979) which includes two new songs by Fiori. After that the singer disappeared from the public radar, moving to Los Angeles to study meditation, computer science, and composition.
He resurfaced in 1983 as a songwriter for other artists, namely Diane Dufresne
Diane Dufresne
Diane Dufresne, CQ is a singer and painter, and has sung a number of classics of Quebec repertoire of popular songs....
, Nanette Workman
Nanette Workman
Nanette Joan Workman is today a singer-songwriter, actress and author who has been based in Quebec, Canada during much of her career. She was raised by musician parents in Jackson, Mississippi where she began her first performances. She mainly performs in French although raised as a native...
and stand-up comic Yvon Deschamps
Yvon Deschamps
Yvon Deschamps, CQ is a Quebec author, actor, comedian and producer best known for his monologues. His social-commentary-tinged humour propelled him to prominence in Quebec popular culture in the 1970s and 1980s...
. A year later he wrote and sung the theme song for the Montreal comedy festival Just for Laughs
Just for Laughs
Just for Laughs is a comedy festival held each July in Montreal, Quebec, founded in 1983. It is the largest international comedy festival in the world.- Information :...
, which would became one of the biggest attractions of its kind in the world. His 1986 solo album contains many flaws inherent to the cold production techniques of the era. He spent the 1990s writing film scores (André Forcier
André Forcier
André Forcier is a Quebec film director and screenwriter. His work has been linked to Latin American magic realism by its use of fantasy but is firmly rooted in Quebec's reality....
's Une Histoire Inventée
Une histoire inventée
Une histoire inventée is a 1990 Canadian drama film.-Plot:Toni is the director of a staged rendition of Othello in Montreal. It is a pet project of his, financed by his mafia uncle. Unbeknownst to him, the audiences are also rounded up and paid by the same uncle...
in 1990, Roch Demers' Hathi in 2000 and Madame Brouette in 2002, with Mamadou Diabaté
Mamadou Diabaté
Mamadou Diabaté is a kora player. He began playing quite early in his life, became known as a musician in the area of Mali in which he lived, and has since moved to the United States, recording several albums.-Life and career:...
and Majoly) and TV music, making a short set of public appearances in 1995 to present Gayatri, Maha Mrityunjaya and Shiva, three CDs of new age music.
Albums
Harmonium- HarmoniumHarmonium (Harmonium album)Harmonium was the eponymous debut album by Québécois band Harmonium released in 1974. It was their most folk driven album, and features the song that made them famous "Pour un instant"...
(1974) - Si On Avait Besoin d'une Cinquième SaisonSi on avait besoin d'une cinquième saisonSi on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison , also known as Les Cinq Saisons , is the second album from Quebec band Harmonium, released in 1975....
(1975) - L'HeptadeL'HeptadeL'Heptade is the third and final album from Harmonium. It was released as a double-LP in 1976 and is considered by some critics to be one of the most important Québécois albums in popular music.-Album description:...
(1976)
Fiori-Séguin
- Deux Cents Nuits à l'Heure (1978)
Serge Fiori
- Fiori (1986)
- Gayatri (1994)
- Maha Mrityunjaya (1994)
- Shiva (1995)
External links
- [ AllMusic Biography]
- Canadian Encyclopedia Entry