Serge Fiori, the lead singer and chief songwriter of the influential Québécois progressive folk-rock group Harmonium, died on June 24 at his home in Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, Quebec, at age 73 after a long, undisclosed illness. Known for his uncompromising creative integrity, he famously refused a $1-million offer from CBS Records to re-record Harmonium's songs in English, prioritizing artistic message over commercial success. A beloved cultural icon and dedicated Quebec nationalist, Fiori's work with Harmonium, including albums like "Si on avait besoin d’une cinquième saison" and "L’heptade," significantly shaped Quebec rock and earned international recognition.
Serge Fiori, singer of Quebec’s Harmonium, was an uncompromising visionary and towering cultural icon
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Serge Fiori, the lead singer and chief songwriter of the influential Québécois progressive folk-rock group Harmonium, died on June 24 at his home in Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, Quebec, at age 73 after a long, undisclosed illness. Known for his uncompromising creative integrity, he famously refused a $1-million offer from CBS Records to re-record Harmonium's songs in English, prioritizing artistic message over commercial success. A beloved cultural icon and dedicated Quebec nationalist, Fiori's work with Harmonium, including albums like "Si on avait besoin d’une cinquième saison" and "L’heptade," significantly shaped Quebec rock and earned international recognition.
Trending- 1 March 4, 1952: Serge Fiori born in Montreal.
- 2 1974: Harmonium releases self-titled debut album.
- 3 1975: "Si on avait besoin d’une cinquième saison" released.
- 4 1976: "L’heptade" released; Harmonium performs on Mount Royal; Parti Québécois comes to power.
- 5 1978: "Deux cents nuits à l’heure" released; Harmonium tours California.
- 6 1980: Fiori quits Harmonium; Quebec independence referendum fails.
- 7 1983: Fiori re-emerges as songwriter.
- 8 1986: Releases solo LP "Fiori".
- 9 1999: Acquitted in assault trial.
- 10 2009: Meets with psychiatrist.
- 11 2013: Biography "Serge Fiori: S’enlever du chemin" published.
- 12 2014: Releases solo album "Serge Fiori".
- 13 2020: "Histoires sans paroles − Harmonium symphonique" recorded.
- 14 June 24: Serge Fiori dies at 73.
- 15 July 15: National funeral scheduled in Montreal.
- Death of a cultural icon
- loss for Quebec music
- national funeral planned
What: Serge Fiori, lead singer of Harmonium, died at 73 after a long illness; he was a visionary artist who prioritized creative integrity over commercial success, notably refusing to re-record songs in English; his legacy as a cultural icon and Quebec nationalist is highlighted.
When: June 24 (death); second half of 1970s (Harmonium's peak); 1974 (self-titled debut album); 1975 (Si on avait besoin d’une cinquième saison released); 1976 (L’heptade released, Mount Royal concert, Parti Québécois sweep); 1977 (interview with B.D. Johnson, Outremont Theatre concerts); fall of 1978 (trip to San Francisco); 1978 (Deux cents nuits à l’heure album); end of the decade (exhaustion); 1980 (failed Quebec independence referendum, personal crash); 1983 (re-emergence); 1986 (solo LP Fiori); 1999 (assault trial); 2001 (Rolling Stone ranking); 2004 (San Francisco concert); 2007 (Bob Mersereau's book); 2009 (met psychiatrist); 2013 (biography published); 2014 (Serge Fiori solo album, Gazette article); 2020 (Harmonium symphonique recorded); March 4, 1952 (birth).
Where: Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, Quebec (death); Montreal (Harmonium based, Little Italy, Mount Royal, Montreal Forum, Outremont Theatre, Just for Laughs, Place des Arts); Canada (tours); Europe (tours, Switzerland); United States (recognition, San Francisco, Berkeley, Los Angeles); Toronto (Massey Hall); Ottawa (Southam Hall); Vancouver (Orpheum).
Why: Long, undisclosed illness (cause of death); creative integrity and commitment to French language (reason for refusing English re-recording); exhaustion and neurotransmitter disorder (reason for quitting band); LSD trip (believed cause of disorder); failed Quebec independence referendum (contributing to personal crash).
How: Fiori composed and sang for Harmonium; he made artistic decisions based on integrity; he collaborated with other artists; he sought professional help later in life.