Sent in by Rona. Interview by Louise Martel.
Louise: I am sure that all the fans are dying to know more about you. Tell us about your beginnings.
André: I am from Chicoutimi. I left
this region when I was 20 years old to study music in Montréal. I began
studying classical guitar in my neighbourhood and it was during the same period
that I started$play in different hands. Already as
a teenager I knew I wanted a career in music.
Yves: I am from Montréal. I started to
study classical music (piano) at École Vincent d’Indy in Montréal when I was
8 years old, and continued until I was 20 years old. I was not really planning
to make music a career; it was more of a hobby.
I enjoyed playing with bands but I had also other interests at school. I did some pharmaceutical studies and I am the owner of three Promoprix drugstores; one of them is in the Rosemont neighborhood in Montréal.
Louise: How did you become members of Céline’s team?
André: I started to do some shows on TV. I was doing also tours
with Mario Pelchat and other Quebec artists. When Céline
was 19, I played with her at the Agora in
Québec City, replacing my music teacher.
Three years ago, “Mégo” (musical director of Céline’s team) gave me a
call asking me to take the place of the guitarist,
Pierre Gauthier, for the summer. This happened again 2 years ago during the tour
with Michael Bolton, and in the
end I became a full-fledged member of the band.
Yves: I started to play professionally in 1986-87 in Montréal. I was the musician for people like Micliaet Braans, a Canadian artist. I also worked with Sass Jordan for few years; later, Aldo Nova told me that Céline was looking for musicians for her 1990 English tour. I went for an audition and I am here today (laughs).
Louise: What are your best memories since you have been working with Céline?
André: That
would be the 1992 Tonight Show, when Iliad just become an official member of
the group. Also, the David Letterman Show, few months ago; I was extremely
nervous since this is a big show watched by millions of people!
Yves: For me, it was the first time I was on the Tonight Show in
1990. That was very special. I had been a member of the group for only a few
months and we just received a call inviting us to be on the Johnny Carson Show.
That was quite impressive for me since I was only doing shows in Québec at that
time; just thinking that I would be on the
Tonight Show one day... Incredible!
The first show in the US with Céline was also very special. There was magic
in the air. We were all very nervous, including Céline1 In the end,
we did a pretty good job.
Louise: Apart from Montréal, where do you most prefer doing shows with Céline?
André: This American tour was quite
special for many reasons but the Montréal Forum, still is quite big!
Yves: I really liked the American tour with Michael Bolton. All the
different places were really super. The idea of playing abroad in
front of 15,000 to 20,000
people is really nice. I hope one day Céline will have another occasion to have
a show like that; this would he just
great!
Louise: How do you like the atmosphere during the tour?
Yves: There are some funny incidents while we are on tour. After 7 weeks there is a special relationship between the artist and the musicians. At some point you are just becoming crazy, especially after 12 hours of being on a bus! But there is also a need for some kind of balance between fun and work. I did not notice the time passing during these 2 months, and if I had to continue this tour, that would be just fine with me.
I also remember when Céline was travelling with us for a part of the tour, that was fun. We saw another side of her, less “business”. This was between friends.
Louise: What would be your advice for some young people who would like to make music for a living?
André: Work hard and be patient, become a good accompanist for the artist, be able to do things quickly. Naturally, I think there is also some luck involved. You have to be at the right place at the right time.
Yves: It is important to be meticulous in your work and to take even the smallest show seriously Give all you can, have a positive attitude dealing with other people. At some point, people will remember you! It is obvious that luck also plays a part in that process but I think you can also encourage your luck a little bit.
You need to be 110% professional, to be involved, to be upright. As André said, you have to be at the right place at the right moment. This is a factor which is not under your control, but to have a professional attitude is under your control...
Louise: Last question, guys, do you have some nicknames?
(Laughs)
André: Mine is “Cooch” because
Coutu in English is impossible to pronounce (laughs).
Yves: Mine is “Fru”. For the English speakers Frulla is not
easy to say, so ‘Fru” is fine (laughs).
Louise; Thanks a lot and have a good show!