Jean-Pierre Ferland, 1934-2024 | “There was only one Jean-Pierre”

Jean-Pierre Ferland leaves behind an immense legacy, celebrated by his friends and colleagues. Saturday evening, they told us about the influence of the artist, but also the generosity of the man.

(Re)read “Jean-Pierre Ferland (1934-2024): lucky we had him”

For Gilles Vigneault’s 95th birthday last fall, a meal was organized at his home by his partner Alison Foy. Around the table, Yvon Deschamps and Judi Richards, Jean-Pierre Ferland and Julie Anne Saumur, and their lifelong friend, Robert Vinet.

“I don’t think Jean-Pierre recognized us, but he knew he was in a bubble of affection,” Yvon Deschamps, from Florida, told us. “He hardly spoke, but he looked so happy. »

“This evening was fabulous,” confirms Judi Richards, who was a backing vocalist on the album. Sun in 1971. “I had just arrived in Montreal. I also did shows with Jean-Pierre at Place des Arts. We had so much fun with Monique Fauteux! When I was writing my first solo album, he helped me a lot with the lyrics. He was incredibly kind. »

Yvon Deschamps and Judi Richards knew that Jean-Pierre Ferland had been in the hospital for a few weeks. “His partner Julie Anne called us to warn us,” said Mr. Deschamps. This evening, around 7 p.m., we were having dinner, and I felt a big blow. I told Judi: we’re eating, and Jean-Pierre is dying. But it’s better to celebrate your life than to mourn your death. »

The comedian did not know Ferland personally before they did the legendary show together 1 time 5 in 1976. “And we’ve gotten closer in recent years. He often said to me: “I love you, Yvon. .” » As if his barriers had fallen, adds Yvon Deschamps, who remembers a generous man who welcomed him when he temporarily separated from Judi Richards, a very long time ago. “I came across him by chance. He didn’t say anything, he took me to his house and let me sleep for 24 hours. He was nice. »

For Yvon Deschamps, Jean-Pierre Ferland “upgraded” Quebec song. “He reacted when he saw The Osstidcho. But I would say they influenced each other. » This is also what producer Paul Dupont-Hébert believes, who had known Mr. Ferland for around 50 years, and who had worked with him on a daily basis for 25 years.

” Yes, The Osstidcho was an electric shock for him. But, often, movements do not arise alone. There was Charlebois, Dubois was not far away… Jean-Pierre knew how to be a leader of this new trend. There was a spark, but he blew it out so the forest fire started. »

Supporting generations

Paul Dupont-Hébert was a close friend of Jean-Pierre Ferland, who sang A chance we have at his wedding. “It’s the most beautiful love song,” says the producer, who remembers Mr. Ferland’s generosity with others and with the public… and also his clown side. “He was a storyteller, a charmer. He was very funny. I’m going to miss him, I went to his house twice a week. »

Jean-Pierre Ferland was only hospitalized during the last six weeks of his life, specifies Paul Dupont-Hébert.

And yet. Host Monique Giroux barely weighs her words: “It’s a monument. Like Brel, or Ferré. But it’s Jean-Pierre, and not them. It’s rare that you make a name for yourself in this profession. Jean-Pierre, there is only one. »

This is what she remembers, moreover, the great love that Jean-Pierre Ferland had for the public, for others and for life. And the public reciprocated this love. “He would have been 90 years old in June! They are rare, those who have accompanied so many generations for so long. »

This is what also strikes the director Pierre Séguin, who was a great friend of Jean-Pierre Ferland since the early 1980s: with his great instinct and his sense of seduction, the singer always knew how to land on his feet. “During the 1980s, for example, when synths became fashionable, he started doing TV as a presenter. And then when he felt enough was enough, he came back with the album don’t listen to that. »

As a result, Jean-Pierre Ferland will have succeeded in marking each decade since his beginnings, “which is still rare,” says Mr. Séguin, who remembers the great storyteller that his friend was.

This son of a mechanic born on rue Chambord in Montreal will have had a good life, believes his friend. “He had the life he wanted. »

“A lesson in career, love, friendships”

In a text sent in the evening via her communication box, Ginette Reno also paid tribute to her Jean-Pierre Ferland, she who knew how to sing her words better than anyone.

“Whenever someone I love leaves for the other side of life, there is always a part of me that leaves with them. Take your guitar with you because when I arrive, we’re definitely going to start singing. Maybe you’ll have time to compose a new one. Félix Leclerc said: “Death is great, it’s full of life inside. “In any case, old man, you lived. The greatest moments of my career, I experienced them with you. The mountains, the Plains with Céline… Thank you, thank you with all my heart, with all my soul. You could have been the man of my life. »

Many Quebec political figures have shared their sadness over the death of the songwriter on social networks, including François Legault. “A great builder of Quebec-French song is leaving us,” wrote the Quebec Prime Minister, on X, highlighting the great successes of Jean-Pierre Ferland as The little king, I’m coming home And A chance we have. “I listened to his album YELLOW in a loop,” added Mr. Legault.

His work will certainly endure, if we are to believe Émile Bourgault, 20 years old, winner of the Granby Festival last year, and who has just released his first album. The young singer-songwriter was very emotional when we spoke to him on the phone Saturday evening.

“Without Jean-Pierre Ferland, I would not do this job. When I learned of his death, I was writing on my balcony. It’s a wheel that turns. My existence as an artist and human stems from what he did. »

But what does Jean-Pierre Ferland tell us today? “To always continue to create. It’s a lesson in career, love, friendships. » And he is convinced that in 50 years, we will still be singing songs by Jean-Pierre Ferland. “ The little king, The cat from the artists’ café… He had a creative vision, a way of writing with simplicity and accessibility. »

Saturday evening, with his friends, Émile Bourgault listened A chance we have silently. “I look at the sky, and I wonder where it is. »