Among the Quebecers - 9

 

From 1955 to 1974, JÉRÔME LEMAY(1933-2011) formed with Jean Lapointe the duet of humorists Les Jérolas. Together they toured through the province, participated on the Ed Sullivan Show and sang at the Olympia in Paris. After the dissolution of the duo, Jerome continued his solo career. Altogether, he recorded five albums, gave several performances and participated in some movies. The press was unanimous: he was an excellent guitarist and composer- songwriter. In France as in Quebec, Nana and him sometimes met each other in the same TV shows.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist, LYNDA LEMAY (1966- ) released her first album in 1990. Thanks to her originality and the quality of her writing, the Quebec and French audiences immediately adopted her. In her songs, she declares, among other things, with humor that she does not want visitors and with emotion that the strongest is her father. Lynda and Nana met during a tribute concert to Aznavour in 2022. Nana gave her one of her rings as a token of friendship.

Humorist, actor, screen writer and producer, GUY A. LEPAGE (1960- ) became known thanks to the formation of the humorous Rock et belles oreilles. Later, he was the male lead actor in "Un gars, une fille" (A guy, a girl), the TV series of which he was the creator and which was sold in thirty countries. Since 2004, he hosts "Tout le monde en parle", the talk show the most watched in Quebec. It is there that he met Nana.

We know very little about the guitarist and bouzoukist LOUIS LEROUX. However, according to the concert magazines and the press reviews of 1971, we learn that during that year, he accompanied Nana during her tours in France and in United Kingdom. In fact, he was the first musician to integrate the original formation of the Athenians, when Philippe Papatheodorou left.

Since 1976, LES FOUBRAC have presented their sketches throughout the world. One of their most well-known numbers is the interpretation of "The March of the Toreadors" by Bizet using bicycle tube pumps. This duo is composed of two humorists whose complicity explains their longevity: JEAN ROY, an experienced communicator sensitive to the art and YVON TOURIGNY, able juggler, acrobat and danser. In 1988, Les Foubrac were among the invited artists of "L’autobus du show-business" and they danced a sirtaki with Nana.

The one who accompanied Édith Piaf between 1959 and 1961 marked the chansonniers’ time with Ferland and Lévesque. While the singer-pianist made a name abroad, here he was considered as one of the most prolific composers of his generation. CLAUDE LÉVEILLÉE (1932-2011) composed the music of several musicals, dramatics and films. During years, he also worked as an actor, especially on the small screen. Claude and Nana knew each other a long time ago. There was a time that their posters were often affixed one beside the other since they did a tour at the same time in the same theatres. In 1995, they met for a lengthy radio interview.

The professional beginnings of SUZANNE LÉVESQUE (1942- ) date back to 1963. She was then an actress both in cinema and in television. From the moment she discovered the universe of radio, she dedicated herself exclusively to hosting, where during 23 years she attained large listenerships. It was during this period that she interviewed Nana twice. Nowadays, she continues her career in television, always as hostess.

After her beginnings as actress in 1943, MONIQUE LEYRAC (1928-2019) turned towards singing. Recognized for the quality of her renditions, she became the ambassador par excellence for Quebec singer-songwriters. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, she performed on all the stages in Quebec as well as in Europe. Her training in dramatic art soon led her to write and stage several shows in which she sang and played great roles. Monique and Nana shared the stage of Place des Arts during the Gala "Celebration 80".

MICHEL LOUVAIN (1937-2021) made his debut in 1956 as a presenter and orchestra singer in hotels before performing in cabarets. Very quickly, he became the first idol of Quebec. At the end of his shows, the police often had to intervene to remove him from the theaters, because his admirers were waiting for him and jostling to see and touch him. During his career, the crooner went through all the fashions while maintaining his style. Like Nana, he covered the great titles of French and international song. After more than 60 years of career, the public was always at the rendezvous.

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