What caused the death of the French singer Gregory. Biography
Many people imagined him to be such an angel...
...After the death of Gregory Lemarchal, Lara Fabian came out to perform the song “Je t`aime” (“I love you”) in memory of Gregory, but could not sing. And then, instead of the singer, the whole hall in Nimes sang this song, replacing the words in it, which then first turned into “On t`aime” (“We love you”). Producer Rick Alisson, who accompanied Lara Fabian on piano, later approached the singer and said: “See... And you said that you have nothing to live for... Live for them, for the people.” She still sings. But this is just a beautiful legend about the love of Gregory and Lara. People just want that kind of love...
...And exactly five years ago, on June 16, 2007, a concert was supposed to take place, which the singer himself called an “evening of friends.” But it didn’t take place. The last message that Gregory Lemarchal managed to write to his fans was published on his website two days before his death: “Dear Gregorians, never in my life have I sent you a message with such pain as now. Indeed, the greatest joy of 2007 for me was this concert on June 16, this “evening of friends” that I wanted to hold for you, which I dreamed up and created with such inspiration for you, to thank you for your constant support and to give you a little happiness - the happiness that you give me every day for the past three years. But, unfortunately, at the moment my health does not allow me to implement this project, which was so dear to me. Doctors strongly advise, or rather force me, to take a forced break for at least 3 months in order to undergo treatment and recover. My heart is breaking, I am incredibly sad, but I am forced to postpone our meeting with you and reschedule it for an indefinite period, the approximate dates of which I will inform you later. The fan club team will soon explain to you how you can get your money back for concert tickets. Of course, I will try to continue to give you news about myself, and know that I need your support and love more than ever. I love you. Gregory"…
...He died on April 30, 2007. And there are still his fans all over the world. One of the fans wrote something intimate: “I read about Gregory that, dying in the hospital, he forbade his parents to pray for donor lungs to be found. I didn’t want to live at the expense of another person’s death. A very young guy, but so much courage and what talent... Singing with 20% of your lungs, when even talking is a huge job... Surprised... Gave me reason to think... Well done, boy! May you rest in peace!”
There is also this entry on forums on the Internet: “I still cannot understand and feel: WHAT inner strength did Gregory Lemarchal, the Little Prince of French song, have to accept his fate and live life the way he lived it???” ...
And again: “How painful it is to watch him sing! How much suffering, how much pain in his eyes! He died, but this song will remain forever, and the memory will always be! Damn, I got so many emotions watching this video!”
Gregory Lemarchal and his “Sos d’un terrien en detresse”
... Gregory Lemarchal was born on May 13, 1983 in France, in the city of La Tronche. At the age of 1 year and 8 months, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a rare hereditary incurable disease caused by a mutation in one of the genes. During this disease, the exocrine glands are damaged, and severe dysfunctions of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract begin. But the diagnosis did not break Gregory. On the contrary, he made me live a short but very bright life...
...Gregory was a very active child and loved to play sports. He also danced, and in 1995 he became the French champion in acrobatic rock and roll. But he was especially interested in basketball and football, was a fan of Marseille Olympic and even planned to become a sports journalist, while Gregory’s parents always dreamed of sending their son to a music school, as they knew about his good voice and hearing. Gregory himself only wanted to play sports and ignored all his parents’ offers to take up music. He deliberately falsified at auditions for a music school and made every effort so that he would not be accepted there. But due to Gregory’s health, a career as a professional athlete was not available to him.
As a child, Gregory was an amazing child...
Gregory’s mother wrote: “He watched his friends play in the yard without him, while he himself was forced to sit at home and undergo either a kinesitherapy session (physical therapy) or drip with antibiotics. Yes, of course, it’s not at all fun to spend two or three times a day for an entire hour on a drip, starting all this at five thirty in the morning, and so on for at least two weeks. Gregory refused treatment and agreed only when it was completely unbearable for him. He also hated kinesitherapy sessions, especially when he thought he was feeling better. This was a constant source of conflict between us. I pestered him: “Baby, have you taken your medicine? Have you done inhalations? What time does the kinesiotherapist arrive today? Life was a burden to him. One day, his doctor called him in for a one-on-one conversation: “Gregory, don’t let cystic fibrosis decide for you. Only you yourself must take power over him and decide when you should be treated and when not.”
In July 1998, Gregory's future fate was determined, in a certain sense, by a happy accident. He made a bet with his father that the French team would not win the World Cup. But the French team won, and according to the terms of the dispute, Gregory had to sing the song “Je m’voyais” by Charles Aznavour at karaoke in the town of Argeles-sur-mer. When the young man fulfilled the terms of the dispute, everyone who was present at his speech was amazed by the beauty and power of his voice. The talent was obvious. His illness made it almost impossible to sing, but Gregory, despite his illness, began to sing, and did it absolutely amazingly.
He was handsome, but not stellar...
And the swing of struggle for success and recognition with ignorance and failure began. Gregory began taking vocal lessons and took part in the 1999 television program “Graines de Stars” and the competition “Tremplin des étoiles” (equivalent to the “Morning Star”), but he did not win. But Lemarchal continued to work on his performance technique and diligently took vocal lessons. Gregory's motivation was so high that he even dropped out of school in his penultimate grade. In the summer of 2003, during the casting for the musical Belle, belle, belle, the producers offered him a role, but he was convinced that he did not need to perform in this project. And in 2003, he successfully passed the casting for the musical “Adam and Eve” for the role of Adam. The musical was shown in many cities in France, and even a single was released. But the musical did not reach Paris. In 2004, Gregory came to the casting for the “Noubell Star” program (analogous to “People’s Artist”), but after several hours spent in line in the cold, he was unable to show the beauty of his voice and was not evaluated by the jury.
The end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004 were difficult for Gregory. He said: “I led a rather miserable lifestyle at that time. I went to bed at three in the morning, got up at noon, and went out to have fun with friends in the evenings. I saw that nothing was working out for me, and I completely fell apart. I didn't recognize myself. And he moved further and further away from his goals.” However, in the summer of 2004, the Star Academy project (analogous to Star Factory) was recruiting for the 4th season of its programs. There was one vacant position left, and the producers were looking for a handsome male voice. This time the jury could not resist Gregory's musical talent. And although Gregory’s illness implied certain restrictions, the organizers agreed to make an exception and made some concessions in organizing his class schedule. As a result, on December 22, 2004, Gregory won the title of winner, and at the age of 21 he became the first male winner in the history of the project, for whom 86% of television viewers voted.
A real prince of the stage...
Gregory’s parents said: “The Star Academy project gave Gregory a very important thing: being away from his family for such a long time, who always surrounded him with care and protected him, he was forced to learn to take care of himself absolutely independently. And he discovered that anything is possible, that willpower alone can help push cystic fibrosis into the background. He came to Star Academy to fulfill a dream that belonged only to him. And when he left there, he realized that he could serve as an example to other children and adults suffering from this disease. Of course, not all patients with cystic fibrosis recognized themselves in Gregory, perhaps not all of them were affected by his fate, but some were definitely affected very deeply by it. For example, there was one child who refused to drink a lot of water and this drove the entire hospital staff into despair. And when he saw that on TV they showed Gregory constantly walking around with a large bottle of water in his hand, he gave in and admitted that drinking plenty of fluids is very important for his body. Many patients wanted to talk to him and tell him about their situation. And Greg often answered them: “Look, everything is possible! The main thing is to move, you can do it and achieve anything. Don’t wait for someone to do something for you!”
...In turn, colleagues in the competition and spectators awarded Gregory the nickname The Little Prince. The vocal range of 4 octaves was perfectly combined with the generosity, charm and sincerity of the young performer. He combined fantastic energy, talent, rare fighting qualities and great love for people. Gregory radiated inner light, sincerity, kindness and almost always smiled. Fans called Gregory the Acrobat of the Voice - he sang masterfully without effort visible to the audience. And no matter what he sang, his performance was always distinguished by romanticism, sensuality and utmost sincerity. Particularly revealing was the performance of the composition “Le bonheur tout simplement” from the 2005 album “I am becoming myself,” the lyrics of which were written by Luc Plamondon, the author of the libretto and producer of the famous musical “Notre Dame de Paris.”
“My Angel” is a dedication to my beloved girl. Gregory wanted a child, but didn’t have time...
Gregory’s mother said: “Greg had his own, very unusual way of getting rid of tension, depressive moods and severe anxiety. He was "fooling around." Constantly. He could easily show spiritual maturity unusual for his age and literally the next second begin to behave like a playful child. This happened not only at home, but also at work. She and Olivier competed to see who could make the scariest face somewhere in a public place, came up with new curse words for each other via SMS, or acted out some scandalous scene, like two market traders, right on the set to see how others would react. And when Leticia, his make-up artist, was talking on the phone, Greg loved to suddenly yell something into the phone to scare her interlocutor. And with Philip Warren, a faithful accomplice and photographer, photo sessions very quickly turned into buffoonish gatherings... But he couldn’t fool us with this, and he couldn’t fool himself either. This constant, insatiable need to pretend to be a clown was, of course, characteristic of his character, but it was also a consequence of the evil that accompanied him everywhere.
Of course, deep down in his heart he dreaded each new day. And all these nonsense, jokes and tomfoolery were his only outlet. His friends were well aware of his uncontrollable thirst for fun, and, of course, they were the first to support him in this. Gregory had a blast with his friends. A whole company formed around him and Fabien. Fabien is his childhood friend, the same friend with whom he could play football for hours in the corner of a small cul-de-sac in Barbie; the same one who accompanied us to Star Academy primes every time he could; the same one who surprised Greg and arrived at the Castle on the day when the show's producers allowed students to visit. Fabien was his best friend. Greg often took on the role of chief instigator in this company. He always agreed to everything, always ready to organize everything himself. Even guys older than him still looked for his opinions and suggestions on any matter. And then the “Star Academy” period began, and then Gregory returned from the Castle and suddenly noticed that all the other friends - except Fabien, who knew Greg like the back of his hand - had somehow quietly disappeared! For them, he went over to the side of the “enemy”, became the boy from TV, became the “other” Gregory. And besides, they saw live how he developed new friendships with other people on the project, and the power of television only increases this effect. And when Greg realized that now a certain barrier had subconsciously arisen between them, he became terribly angry and decided to organize a “general gathering” to dot the i’s: “What has gotten into you? Have you gone completely crazy? I haven't changed! Yes, it’s me, Gregory, I’m still the same!” It was so funny and childish... but effective!
Duet with Helene Segara
Our big house has again become a permanent haven for this gang! And when they didn’t gather at our place, Greg went to their place to watch movies in the cinema or play poker until he was blue in the face. His greatest fear was that they might think he had contracted star fever. There shouldn't have been any omissions between them - that was their custom. And Gregory hated lies - even he himself could not lie to me for more than half an hour, then he would still crack and admit that he had done something stupid. And friends were most important to him. When one of them did something bad, it hurt Greg deeply. But he was always able to find extenuating circumstances, to give a second chance. I never heard him speak disparagingly about anyone or gossip. And I admire him for that. Personally, I do not have such greatness of soul. And as a result, Gregory could always - with one or two exceptions, no more - distinguish those who truly love him from those who communicate with him out of selfish interest.
…On April 18, 2005, Gregory’s first album “Je deviens moi” (“I am becoming myself”) was released. Posters, programs and interviews fell on Gregory in an instant. The first single, released a little earlier than the album, on March 29 – “Ecris L’Histoire” burst into the charts and held the top position for a long time. The Star Academy tour was sold out in all cities of France, and every time the hall exploded with applause at the sight of Gregory. His album quickly sold out in France and went platinum within a few months. And in January 2006, Gregory Lemarchal received one of the most prestigious awards in France - “Discovery of the Year” at the NRJ Music Awards. And during May 2006, Gregory toured with great success in France, Belgium and Switzerland.
Gregory Lemarchal and Ecris L'Histoire
One of his concerts took place at the famous Paris Olympia in 2006, a year before his death. 15 minutes before the concert at Olympia, Gregory practically could not sing, and he had to call a doctor, whose help allowed Lemarchal to go on stage. The audience saw nothing but Gregory’s wonderful performance, and the director of Olympia and the staff of the concert hall, who was behind the scenes, had tears in their eyes at the sight of what a real test this concert was for Lemarchal. This concert in Olympia was published on DVDs.
And all his other concerts were a deafening sell-out, as his performance on stage shocked the audience. He had a keen sense of his partners during performances, and the more talented his performing partner was, the brighter Gregory himself looked. Their duet with Oda during the performance of the song “L`envie” was an amazing sight. Gregory also had duets with Patricia Kaas and Lara Fabian, with whom Gregory was on friendly terms. Lara Fabian immediately recognized Gregory's talent. At the fifth anniversary of Star Academy, Gregory and Lara sang the song “Un Ave Maria” as a duet. The duet was the initiative of Fabian, who always supported Lemarchal and helped him adapt to show business when he took the first steps in his career. Lara Fabian admired Gregory. In an interview, she said: “What absolutely shocked me about Gregory is that what he doesn’t say with words, he says with his voice and eyes. Greg is a being who carries an inner light, and that’s very good, we all needed that.”
Duet with Lara Fabian
In their interviews, Gregory's partners admitted that they received great pleasure from working with Gregory on stage.
Gregory soon planned to release a second album, and in early April he sang the song “Vivo per lei” in a duet with Helen Segara. But in April 2007, Gregory's health condition deteriorated sharply, and he required an urgent lung transplant. The doctors did not have time to perform the operation on the famous performer. Without waiting for a donor, Gregory died on April 30, 2007. His last words before being put into a coma were: “I will still overcome you, damned disease.” Unfortunately, he was not destined to cope with her...
... Gregory Lemarchal was buried in the cemetery of the town of Sonna, where he lived with his family, in Savoie. Gregory Lemarchal set out on his last journey wearing the scarf of his favorite team, Olympique de Marseille. Thousands of fans came to the farewell ceremony for the “little prince” at the Cathédrale Saint-François-de-Sales de Chambéry, whom Gregory’s parents asked not to bring any souvenirs except the white roses that Gregory loved. Gregory Lemarchal’s second album, entitled “Ls voix d’un Ange,” was presented to the public on June 18, 2007, Karin Ferri, Gregory’s girlfriend, after the artist’s death...
Duet with Patricia Kaas
...In less than 24 years, Gregory Lemarchal managed to do as much as others do not have time to do even in several lifetimes. And even the death of this talented young man helped people. His parents decided to continue the fight. “I won’t let my son leave just like that,” Gregory’s mother said. Lemarchal's parents created the Gregory Lemarchal Association to Combat Cystic Fibrosis. During the three-hour telecast about Gregory, 6 million euros in donations were collected, and the same number of donors signed up as in the entire previous year. Gregory showed everyone what it means to love life, and that in any difficult situation one should not give up. Life is beautiful and deserves to move on, although it is difficult to predict what it has in store for us. As Gregory himself said in one of his interviews: “Never write the end of the story...”.
...It seemed that there were no dark spots in Gregory's life. And only in the lyrics of the song “De temps en temps” (“From time to time”), which became a posthumous single, Gregory wrote:
From time to time
I'm bending under the weight of fate
And the suffering to which my body is doomed.
From time to time
I take stabs in the back
Meanness, evil play on words...
From time to time
I regret that innocence
Which can only happen in childhood.
From time to time
I just want peace.
I have no more respect. So it was...
...And in the time that has passed since the singer’s death, a society of “Gregorians” has also appeared in Russia, engaged in promoting the work of this amazing and talented young man. And the fight against the disease that struck him...
The Little Prince and "Je t'ecries"
P.S. And fans still write about Gregory’s life, drawing their own from it. Here are some experiences of fans of The Little Prince:
“The dirt and filth of human everyday life touched him too. But, despite this, in his spiritual testament there are ONLY words of love and gratitude. To everyone: family, friends, fans, producers, doctors;
— Presenter Sergei Mayorov said about him correctly: “The present is always too little!” He really was real! A little prince with laughing and at the same time endlessly sad eyes! What is it like to realize from childhood that you could die at any moment?!!! What does it feel like to feel such hellish pain!?!!! But there were animals who considered it necessary to insult him! The French “journalist” (there is no other way to say it, I apologize to the honest representatives of this wonderful profession) Frederic Martin publicly insulted Gregory, calling him “Cystic Fibrosis” when listing all the winners of the “Star Academy”: “Jennifer, Nolwenn, Elodie, Cystic Fibrosis and Magali "... I would kill!!! Greg remembered this for the rest of his life! Thank God that people still remember and love Gregory to this day!..
“Such talent is rare.” I am happy that I was able to get acquainted with the work of this star boy. It’s a shame that so little was allotted to him in this world; he, like a ray of light, delighted with his warmth and sincerity. I really want as many people as possible to know about it! He deserves it;
- Lara (Fabian - author) very much respected (and still respects) Greg and his talent. It was she who called Gregory “the golden voice of France.” They didn’t have any romance, it was just a stage image. They only met a couple of times. She was just so, you know, imbued with... But was it really possible to calmly stand on stage and sing, looking into those eyes?
Lara Fabian sang and cried...
— I hate verbal cliches (of all kinds) with every fiber of my soul. “God takes the best,” including. But when people like Gregory leave, there is simply nothing more to say. Except that God has a strange sense of humor. Has the Little Prince already accomplished everything he came into this world for? He fulfilled and returned to his Planet... And those who remained to live??? Does this mean that we all failed to do something important? What else do we have a chance to think about this and have time to do??? And the most important thing is to learn to love life itself, to love people the way Gregory Lemarchal knew how to do.
— The golden voice of France died at the age of 23 in 2007 from cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease when the secretion organs do not work, life expectancy is rarely more than 25 years)... A unique case, doctors are perplexed to this day - how could he sing? At least the fact that with this disease there is a constant cough (since the lungs are not cleared) already puts an end to singing, and this person gave solo concerts...
“He put off a lung transplant until the last minute because he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to sing. He said this: “If I can’t sing, what will be the meaning of life?” 3 weeks before his death, he signed an agreement with the hospital to find a lung donor, but they never found it... Sleep well, little angel, Little Prince of France, I know that you fought to the end, but you just didn’t have time...
- From the fairy tale that Gregory lived, precious things remained
a rare treasure on the human planet – the Light of the Soul. Light of the Little Soul
The prince he generously gave to all of us...
...And you couldn’t say it better. You can only sing...
The famous “The show must go on” performed by Gregory Lemarchal
You can learn about the life and work, as well as the activities of the Gregory Lemarchal Foundation, on the Russian page of friends of Gregory Lemarchal: www.gregorylemarchal.ru
Andrey GONCHAROV, Vladimir SKACHKO (based on Internet materials)
...After the death of Gregory Lemarchal, Lara Fabian came out to perform the song “Je t`aime” (“I love you”) in memory of Gregory, but could not sing. And then, instead of the singer, the whole hall in Nimes sang this song, replacing the words in it, which then first turned into “On t`aime” (“We love you”). Producer Rick Alisson, who accompanied Lara Fabian on piano, later approached the singer and said: “See... And you said that you have nothing to live for... Live for them, for the people.” She still sings. But this is just a beautiful legend about the love of Gregory and Lara. People just want that kind of love...
...And exactly five years ago, on June 16, 2007, a concert was supposed to take place, which the singer himself called an “evening of friends.” But it didn’t take place. The last message that Gregory Lemarchal managed to write to his fans was published on his website two days before his death: “Dear Gregorians, never in my life have I sent you a message with such pain as now. Indeed, the greatest joy of 2007 for me was this concert on June 16, this “evening of friends” that I wanted to hold for you, which I dreamed up and created with such inspiration for you, to thank you for your constant support and to give you a little happiness - the happiness that you give me every day for the past three years. But, unfortunately, at the moment my health does not allow me to implement this project, which was so dear to me. Doctors strongly advise, or rather force me, to take a forced break for at least 3 months in order to undergo treatment and recover. My heart is breaking, I am incredibly sad, but I am forced to postpone our meeting with you and reschedule it for an indefinite period, the approximate dates of which I will inform you later. The fan club team will soon explain to you how you can get your money back for concert tickets. Of course, I will try to continue to give you news about myself, and know that I need your support and love more than ever. I love you. Gregory"…
Many people imagined him as such an angel...
He died on April 30, 2007. And there are still his fans all over the world. One of the fans wrote something intimate: “I read about Gregory that, dying in the hospital, he forbade his parents to pray for donor lungs to be found. I didn’t want to live at the expense of another person’s death. A very young guy, but so much courage and what talent... Singing with 20% of your lungs, when even talking is a huge job... Surprised... Gave me a reason to think... Well done, boy! May you rest in peace!”
There is also this entry on forums on the Internet: “I still cannot understand and feel: WHAT inner strength did Gregory Lemarchal, the Little Prince of French song, have to accept his fate and live life the way he lived it???” ...
And again: “How painful it is to watch him sing! How much suffering, how much pain in his eyes! He died, but this song will remain forever, and the memory will always be! Damn, I got so many emotions watching this video!”
Gregory Lemarchal and his “Sos d"un terrien en detresse"
... Gregory Lemarchal was born on May 13, 1983 in France, in the city of La Tronche. At the age of 1 year and 8 months, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a rare hereditary incurable disease caused by a mutation in one of the genes. During this disease, the exocrine glands are damaged, and severe dysfunctions of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract begin. But the diagnosis did not break Gregory. On the contrary, he made me live a short but very bright life...
...Gregory was a very active child and loved to play sports. He also danced, and in 1995 he became the French champion in acrobatic rock and roll. But he was especially interested in basketball and football, was a fan of Marseille Olympic and even planned to become a sports journalist, while Gregory’s parents always dreamed of sending their son to a music school, as they knew about his good voice and hearing. Gregory himself only wanted to play sports and ignored all his parents’ offers to take up music. He deliberately falsified at auditions for a music school and made every effort so that he would not be accepted there. But due to Gregory’s health, a career as a professional athlete was not available to him.
As a child, Gregory was an amazing child...
Gregory’s mother wrote: “He watched his friends play in the yard without him, while he himself was forced to sit at home and undergo either a kinesitherapy session (physical therapy) or drip with antibiotics. Yes, of course, it’s not at all fun to spend two or three times a day for an entire hour on a drip, starting all this at five thirty in the morning, and so on for at least two weeks. Gregory refused treatment and agreed only when it was completely unbearable for him. He also hated kinesitherapy sessions, especially when he thought he was feeling better. This was a constant source of conflict between us. I pestered him: “Baby, have you taken your medicine? Have you done inhalations? What time does the kinesiotherapist arrive today? Life was a burden to him. One day, his doctor called him in for a one-on-one conversation: “Gregory, don’t let cystic fibrosis decide for you. Only you yourself must take power over him and decide when you should be treated and when not.”
In July 1998, Gregory's future fate was determined, in a certain sense, by a happy accident. He made a bet with his father that the French team would not win the World Cup. But the French team won, and according to the terms of the dispute, Gregory had to sing the song “Je m’voyais” by Charles Aznavour at karaoke in the town of Argeles-sur-mer. When the young man fulfilled the terms of the dispute, everyone who was present at his speech was amazed by the beauty and power of his voice. The talent was obvious. His illness made it almost impossible to sing, but Gregory, despite his illness, began to sing, and did it absolutely amazingly.
He was handsome, but not stellar...
And the swing of struggle for success and recognition with ignorance and failure began. Gregory began taking vocal lessons and took part in the 1999 television program “Graines de Stars” and the competition “Tremplin des étoiles” (equivalent to the “Morning Star”), but he did not win. But Lemarchal continued to work on his performance technique and diligently took vocal lessons. Gregory's motivation was so high that he even dropped out of school in his penultimate grade. In the summer of 2003, during the casting for the musical Belle, belle, belle, the producers offered him a role, but he was convinced that he did not need to perform in this project. And in 2003, he successfully passed the casting for the musical “Adam and Eve” for the role of Adam. The musical was shown in many cities in France, and even a single was released. But the musical did not reach Paris. In 2004, Gregory came to the casting for the “Noubell Star” program (analogous to “People’s Artist”), but after several hours spent in line in the cold, he was unable to show the beauty of his voice and was not evaluated by the jury.
The end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004 were difficult for Gregory. He said: “I led a rather miserable lifestyle at that time. I went to bed at three in the morning, got up at noon, and went out to have fun with friends in the evenings. I saw that nothing was working out for me, and I completely fell apart. I didn't recognize myself. And he moved further and further away from his goals.” However, in the summer of 2004, the Star Academy project (analogous to Star Factory) was recruiting for the 4th season of its programs. There was one vacant position left, and the producers were looking for a handsome male voice. This time the jury could not resist Gregory's musical talent. And although Gregory’s illness implied certain restrictions, the organizers agreed to make an exception and made some concessions in organizing his class schedule. As a result, on December 22, 2004, Gregory won the title of winner, and at the age of 21 he became the first male winner in the history of the project, for whom 86% of television viewers voted.
A true prince of the stage...
Gregory’s parents said: “The Star Academy project gave Gregory a very important thing: being away from his family for such a long time, who always surrounded him with care and protected him, he was forced to learn to take care of himself absolutely independently. And he discovered that anything is possible, that willpower alone can help push cystic fibrosis into the background. He came to Star Academy to fulfill a dream that belonged only to him. And when he left there, he realized that he could serve as an example to other children and adults suffering from this disease. Of course, not all patients with cystic fibrosis recognized themselves in Gregory, perhaps not all of them were affected by his fate, but some were definitely affected very deeply by it. For example, there was one child who refused to drink a lot of water and this drove the entire hospital staff into despair. And when he saw that on TV they showed Gregory constantly walking around with a large bottle of water in his hand, he gave in and admitted that drinking plenty of fluids is very important for his body. Many patients wanted to talk to him and tell him about their situation. And Greg often answered them: “Look, everything is possible! The main thing is to move, you can do it and achieve anything. Don’t wait for someone to do something for you!”
...In turn, colleagues in the competition and spectators awarded Gregory the nickname The Little Prince. The vocal range of 4 octaves was perfectly combined with the generosity, charm and sincerity of the young performer. He combined fantastic energy, talent, rare fighting qualities and great love for people. Gregory radiated inner light, sincerity, kindness and almost always smiled. Fans called Gregory the Acrobat of the Voice - he sang masterfully without effort visible to the audience. And no matter what he sang, his performance was always distinguished by romanticism, sensuality and utmost sincerity. Particularly revealing was the performance of the composition “Le bonheur tout simplement” from the 2005 album “I am becoming myself,” the lyrics of which were written by Luc Plamondon, the author of the libretto and producer of the famous musical “Notre Dame de Paris.”
“My Angel” is a dedication to my beloved girl. Gregory wanted a child, but didn't have time...
Gregory’s mother said: “Greg had his own, very unusual way of getting rid of tension, depressive moods and severe anxiety. He was "fooling around." Constantly. He could easily show spiritual maturity unusual for his age and literally the next second begin to behave like a playful child. This happened not only at home, but also at work. She and Olivier competed to see who could make the scariest face somewhere in a public place, came up with new curse words for each other via SMS, or acted out some scandalous scene, like two market traders, right on the set to see how others would react. And when Leticia, his make-up artist, was talking on the phone, Greg loved to suddenly yell something into the phone to scare her interlocutor. And with Philip Warren, a faithful accomplice and photographer, photo sessions very quickly turned into buffoonish gatherings... But he couldn’t fool us with this, and he couldn’t fool himself either. This constant, insatiable need to pretend to be a clown was, of course, characteristic of his character, but it was also a consequence of the evil that accompanied him everywhere.
Of course, deep down in his heart he dreaded each new day. And all these nonsense, jokes and tomfoolery were his only outlet. His friends were well aware of his uncontrollable thirst for fun, and, of course, they were the first to support him in this. Gregory had a blast with his friends. A whole company formed around him and Fabien. Fabien is his childhood friend, the same friend with whom he could play football for hours in the corner of a small cul-de-sac in Barbie; the same one who accompanied us to Star Academy primes every time he could; the same one who surprised Greg and arrived at the Castle on the day when the show's producers allowed students to visit. Fabien was his best friend. Greg often took on the role of chief instigator in this company. He always agreed to everything, always ready to organize everything himself. Even guys older than him still looked for his opinions and suggestions on any matter. And then the “Star Academy” period began, and then Gregory returned from the Castle and suddenly noticed that all the other friends - except Fabien, who knew Greg like the back of his hand - had somehow quietly disappeared! For them, he went over to the side of the “enemy”, became the boy from TV, became the “other” Gregory. And besides, they saw live how he developed new friendships with other people on the project, and the power of television only increases this effect. And when Greg realized that now a certain barrier had subconsciously arisen between them, he became terribly angry and decided to organize a “general gathering” to dot the i’s: “What has gotten into you? Have you gone completely crazy? I haven't changed! Yes, it’s me, Gregory, I’m still the same!” It was so funny and childish... but effective!
Duet with Helene Segara
Our big house has again become a permanent haven for this gang! And when they didn’t gather at our place, Greg went to their place to watch movies in the cinema or play poker until he was blue in the face. His greatest fear was that they might think he had contracted star fever. There should be no omissions between them - that was their custom. And Gregory hated lies - even he himself could not lie to me for more than half an hour, then he would still crack and admit that he had done something stupid. And friends were most important to him. When one of them did something bad, it hurt Greg deeply. But he was always able to find extenuating circumstances, to give a second chance. I never heard him speak disparagingly about anyone or gossip. And I admire him for that. Personally, I do not have such greatness of soul. And as a result, Gregory could always - with one or two exceptions, no more - distinguish those who truly love him from those who communicate with him out of selfish interest.
…On April 18, 2005, Gregory’s first album “Je deviens moi” (“I am becoming myself”) was released. Posters, programs and interviews fell on Gregory in an instant. The first single, released a little earlier than the album, on March 29 - “Ecris L’Histoire” burst into the charts and held the top position for a long time. The Star Academy tour was sold out in all cities of France, and every time the hall exploded with applause at the sight of Gregory. His album quickly sold out in France and went platinum within a few months. And in January 2006, Gregory Lemarchal received one of the most prestigious awards in France - “Discovery of the Year” at the NRJ Music Awards. And during May 2006, Gregory toured with great success in France, Belgium and Switzerland.
Gregory Lemarchal and Ecris L'Histoire
One of his concerts took place at the famous Paris Olympia in 2006, a year before his death. 15 minutes before the concert at Olympia, Gregory practically could not sing, and he had to call a doctor, whose help allowed Lemarchal to go on stage. The audience saw nothing but Gregory’s wonderful performance, and the director of Olympia and the staff of the concert hall, who was behind the scenes, had tears in their eyes at the sight of what a real test this concert was for Lemarchal. This concert in Olympia was published on DVDs.
And all his other concerts were a deafening sell-out, as his performance on stage shocked the audience. He had a keen sense of his partners during performances, and the more talented his performing partner was, the brighter Gregory himself looked. Their duet with Oda during the performance of the song “L`envie” was an amazing sight. Gregory also had duets with Patricia Kaas and Lara Fabian, with whom Gregory was on friendly terms. Lara Fabian immediately recognized Gregory's talent. At the fifth anniversary of Star Academy, Gregory and Lara sang the song “Un Ave Maria” as a duet. The duet was the initiative of Fabian, who always supported Lemarchal and helped him adapt to show business when he took the first steps in his career. Lara Fabian admired Gregory. In an interview, she said: “What absolutely shocked me about Gregory is that what he doesn’t say with words, he says with his voice and eyes. Greg is a being who carries an inner light, and that’s very good, we all needed that.”
Duet with Lara Fabian
In their interviews, Gregory's partners admitted that they received great pleasure from working with Gregory on stage.
Gregory soon planned to release a second album, and in early April he sang the song “Vivo per lei” in a duet with Helen Segara. But in April 2007, Gregory's health condition deteriorated sharply, and he required an urgent lung transplant. The doctors did not have time to perform the operation on the famous performer. Without waiting for a donor, Gregory died on April 30, 2007. His last words before being put into a coma were: “I will still overcome you, damned disease.” Unfortunately, he was not destined to cope with her...
... Gregory Lemarchal was buried in the cemetery of the town of Sonna, where he lived with his family, in Savoie. Gregory Lemarchal set off on his last journey wearing the scarf of his favorite team, Olympique de Marseille. Thousands of fans came to the farewell ceremony for the “little prince” at the Cathédrale Saint-François-de-Sales de Chambéry, whom Gregory’s parents asked not to bring any souvenirs except the white roses that Gregory loved. Gregory Lemarchal’s second album, entitled “Ls voix d’un Ange,” was presented to the public on June 18, 2007, Karin Ferri, Gregory’s girlfriend, after the artist’s death...
Duet with Patricia Kaas
...In less than 24 years, Gregory Lemarchal managed to do as much as others do not have time to do even in several lifetimes. And even the death of this talented young man helped people. His parents decided to continue the fight. “I won’t let my son leave just like that,” Gregory’s mother said. Lemarchal's parents created the Gregory Lemarchal Association to Combat Cystic Fibrosis. During the three-hour telecast about Gregory, 6 million euros in donations were collected, and the same number of donors signed up as in the entire previous year. Gregory showed everyone what it means to love life, and that in any difficult situation one should not give up. Life is beautiful and deserves to move on, although it is difficult to predict what it has in store for us. As Gregory himself said in one of his interviews: “Never write the end of the story...”.
...It seemed that there were no dark spots in Gregory's life. And only in the lyrics of the song “De temps en temps” (“From time to time”), which became a posthumous single, Gregory wrote:
From time to time
I'm bending under the weight of fate
And the suffering to which my body is doomed.
From time to time
I take stabs in the back
Meanness, evil play on words...
From time to time
I regret that innocence
Which can only happen in childhood.
From time to time
I just want peace.
I have no more respect. So it was...
...And in the time that has passed since the singer’s death, a society of “Gregorians” has also appeared in Russia, engaged in promoting the work of this amazing and talented young man. And the fight against the disease that struck him...
The Little Prince and "Je t"ecries"
P.S. And fans still write about Gregory’s life, drawing their own from it. Here are some experiences of fans of The Little Prince:
- The dirt and filth of human everyday life touched him too. But, despite this, in his spiritual testament there are ONLY words of love and gratitude. To everyone: family, friends, fans, producers, doctors;
- Presenter Sergei Mayorov said correctly about him: “The present is always too little!” He really was real! A little prince with laughing and at the same time endlessly sad eyes! What is it like to realize from childhood that you could die at any moment?!!! What does it feel like to feel such hellish pain!?!!! But there were animals who considered it necessary to insult him! The French “journalist” (there is no other way to say it, I apologize to the honest representatives of this wonderful profession) Frederic Martin publicly insulted Gregory, calling him “Cystic Fibrosis” when listing all the winners of the “Star Academy”: “Jennifer, Nolwenn, Elodie, Cystic Fibrosis and Magali "... I would kill!!! Greg remembered this for the rest of his life! Thank God that people still remember and love Gregory to this day!..
Such talent is rare. I am happy that I was able to get acquainted with the work of this star boy. It’s a shame that so little was allotted to him in this world; he, like a ray of light, delighted with his warmth and sincerity. I really want as many people as possible to know about it! He deserves it;
Lara (Fabian - author) very much respected (and still respects) Greg and his talent. It was she who called Gregory “the golden voice of France.” They didn’t have any romance, it was just a stage image. They only met a couple of times. She was just so, you know, imbued with... But was it really possible to calmly stand on stage and sing, looking into those eyes?
Lara Fabian sang and cried...
I hate verbal cliches (of all kinds) with every fiber of my soul. “God takes the best,” including. But when people like Gregory leave, there is simply nothing more to say. Except that God has a strange sense of humor. Has the Little Prince already accomplished everything he came into this world for? He fulfilled and returned to his Planet... And those who remained to live??? Does this mean that we all failed to do something important? What else do we have a chance to think about this and have time to do??? And the most important thing is to learn to love life itself, to love people the way Gregory Lemarchal knew how to do.
The golden voice of France died at the age of 23 in 2007 from cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease when the secretion organs do not work, life expectancy is rarely more than 25 years)... A unique case, doctors are perplexed to this day - how could he sing? At least the fact that with this disease there is a constant cough (since the lungs are not cleared) already puts an end to singing, and this person gave solo concerts...
He put off a lung transplant until the last minute because he was afraid that he would not be able to sing. He said this: “If I can’t sing, what will be the meaning of life?” 3 weeks before his death, he signed an agreement with the hospital to find a lung donor, but they never found it... Sleep well, little angel, Little Prince of France, I know that you fought to the end, but you just didn’t have time...
What remains from the fairy tale that Gregory lived is precious and such
a rare treasure on the human planet - the Light of the Soul. Light of the Little Soul
The prince he generously gave to all of us...
You couldn't say it better. You can only sing...
The famous “The show must go on” performed by Gregory Lemarchal
P.P.S. You can learn about the life and work, as well as the activities of the Gregory Lemarchal Foundation, on the Russian page of friends of Gregory Lemarchal: www.gregorylemarchal.ru
Andrey GONCHAROV, Vladimir SKACHKO (based on Internet materials)
Gregory Jean-Paul Lemarchal(French Grégory Jean-Paul Lemarchal; May 13, La Tronche, France - April 30, Paris, France) - French singer.
Encyclopedic YouTube
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✪ Gregory Lemarchal Sos
✪ "Ave Maria" Gregory Lemarchal and Lara Fabian/rus. and fr. Sat.
✪ Gregory Lemarchal Biography
✪ Two angels. One in heaven, the other on earth...
Subtitles
Biography
Childhood
Gregory Lemarchal was born in the town of La Tronche, near Chambery, Savoie region to Pierre and Laurence Lemarchal, he also had a younger sister, Leslie. At 20 months old, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, or cystic fibrosis, the most common genetic disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines. But, despite a serious illness and complications in the lungs, he was able to realize himself and give his talent to the whole world.
As a child, Gregory was an active child, played sports, played for the basketball team and was fond of football. In 1995, at the age of 12, he became the French champion in acrobatic rock and roll in his age group. Gregory's parents always dreamed of sending their son to a music school, as they saw in him a good voice and hearing. Greg wanted to play sports and ignored all offers to enter a music school, deliberately faked it at auditions and tried his best not to be accepted. As he grew older, his interests changed.
Gregory’s parents said: “He watched his friends play in the yard without him, while he himself was forced to sit at home and undergo either a kinesitherapy session or drip with antibiotics. I had to spend an hour two or three times a day under a drip, starting all this at five thirty in the morning, and so on for at least two weeks. Gregory refused treatment and agreed only when it was completely unbearable for him. He also hated kinesitherapy sessions, especially when he thought he was feeling better. This was a constant source of conflict between us. I pestered him: “Baby, have you taken your medicine? Have you done inhalations? What time does the kinesiotherapist arrive today?” Life was a burden to him. One day, his doctor called him in for a one-on-one conversation: “Gregory, don’t let cystic fibrosis decide for you. Only you yourself must take power over him and decide when you should be treated and when not."
The disease did not allow Gregory to play sports professionally, and he decided to throw in his lot with sports journalism. But on July 12, 1998, these plans changed. That evening, the French national football team won the World Cup, and Gregory lost a bet with his father, according to the terms of which he had to sing karaoke during the next holidays. A few days later, in the town of Argelès-sur-Mer, Gregory fulfilled the terms of his bet with his father, performing “Je m’voyais déjà” by Charles Aznavour. Everyone who attended his performance was amazed by his voice. It was only after seeing the reactions of other people, not just his parents, that Gregory believed that he had talent. Gregory's tessitura was very high - 4 octaves. Celine Dion, Charles Aznavour, and Serge Lama had a huge musical influence on Gregory's development as a singer.
From this moment on, Gregory and his father begin performing at various musical events in their district, where Gregory soon gains popularity. But he doesn’t stop there: for example, Gregory took part in the local television competitions Tremplin des étoiles in 1999 and the Graines de Stars programs in 1999. He became so passionate about music that he even dropped out of school in his penultimate grade. He worked a lot on his performance technique and took lessons.
Star Academy, career and creativity
In 2003, he successfully passed the casting for the musical “Adam and Eve” for the role of Adam. The musical runs through many cities in France and even releases a single. But there were no performances in Paris.
In the summer of 2003, during the casting for the musical “Belles, belles, belles,” Gregory successfully passed the competition for the role that the producers offered him and began rehearsals. But since the project had financial difficulties, participation in it did not take place. It was at this time that Gregory's friendship began with singer Patrick Fiori and composer Brice Davoli.
In 2003, Gregory went to a new casting, for the program “Nouvelle Star” (Russian television project - “People’s Artist”), where, after standing in the cold for several hours, he was unable to show the beauty of his voice and was not selected by the jury.
The end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004 were difficult for Gregory. He said: “I led a rather miserable lifestyle at that time. I went to bed at three in the morning, got up at noon, and went out to have fun with friends in the evenings. I saw that nothing was working out for me, and I completely fell apart. I didn't recognize myself. And he moved further and further away from his goals.”
However, in the summer of 2004, the Star Academy project (Russian analogue - Star Factory) was recruiting for the 4th season of its programs. There was one vacant place left, the producers were looking for a beautiful male voice and Brice Davoli assisted in organizing the audition. This time the jury could not resist Gregory's musical talent.
In September 2004, the fourth season of the television project “Star Academy” started on the TF1 channel. Gregory's illness imposed certain restrictions, and the organizers agreed to exceptions and some concessions in his activities. In each of his performances, he improved his vocal skills and won the sympathy of the audience. His performance of the song “SOS d"un terrien en detresse” from the famous rock opera “Starmania” was recognized as one of the most heartfelt. Colleagues in the competition and spectators awarded Gregory the nickname The Little Prince. A voice range of 4 octaves was perfectly combined with generosity, charm and With the sincerity of a young performer, he combined fantastic energy, talent, rare fighting qualities and great love for people. Gregory radiated inner light, sincerity, kindness and almost always smiled. Fans called Gregory the Acrobat of the Voice - he sang masterfully without any visible effort to the audience. And no matter what he sang, his performance was always distinguished by romanticism, sensuality and utmost sincerity.
On April 18, 2005, his first album “Je deviens moi” (“I am becoming myself”) was released, which was recorded with the participation of composer Ivan Kassar. This album debuted at No. 1 on the French charts and quickly sold around 300,000 copies. Within a few months, thanks to his compositions such as “Écris l’histoire” and “Je suis en vie,” the album became platinum.
In January 2006, he received one of the most prestigious awards - “Discovery of the Year” at the NRJ Music Awards, and from May 9 to 26, 2006, he toured France, Belgium and Switzerland with great success, with a short break due to surgery to remove appendicitis.
On May 29, 30 and 31, concerts are held at the legendary Olympia. Since the tickets were sold out long before the concert, an additional concert was organized on June 24. A real discovery for fans of the talent was the joint performance of the song “What You"re Made of” with singer Lucy Silvas, which quickly reached the top of the TOP charts.
At the end of 2006, the disease suddenly began to make itself felt. In January 2007, he announced that he was forced to take a break due to poor health. Despite this departure, a second album was planned, and on March 30, the singer sings “Vivo per lei” with Helen Segara.
Death
The song "De Temps EN Temps" earned Gregory a posthumous Vincent Scotto Award from SOCAN, the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada.
Association Grégory Lemarchal, the fight against cystic fibrosis and events in tribute to Gregory
In less than 23 years, Gregory Lemarchal managed to do as much as others do not manage to do in several lifetimes. And even the death of this talented young man helped people. His parents decided to continue the fight. “I won’t let my son leave just like that,” Gregory’s mother said. After his death, Gregory's parents Laurence and Pierre vowed to continue the fight against cystic fibrosis. On the evening of May 4, 2007, during a three-hour program about Gregory on the TF1 channel, over 6 million 800 thousand euros in donations were collected, and the same number of people who signed up as donors turned out to be the same as in the entire previous year. At the same time, the rating number of TV viewers of the program was 47.3% (10.5 million people). The funds go to finance research in the field of cystic fibrosis, as well as the renovation of hospitals and specialized departments.
The Organ Donation Association of France noted at the end of the telethon dedicated to Gregory a remarkable increase in requests for a donor card to 53,411 requests per month (in May 2007), which is equivalent to requests for the whole of 2006 (54,130 requests).
On June 19, 2012, on the stage of the Olympia in Paris, following the results of 5 years of work of the Association Grégory Lemarchal, about twenty famous artists staged a charity concert in honor of Gregory.
On January 2, 2015, Karine Ferri, participating in the French equivalent of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”, won 24,000 euros in favor of the “Association Grégory Lemarchal”
Gregorians in Russia
On April 30, 2007, Gregory Lemarchal lost his last battle to cystic fibrosis, a severe genetic disease affecting the respiratory and digestive organs that he had suffered from since birth. The news of Gregory's death plunged his fans around the world into shock and endless sadness. But it was the desire to cope with this paralyzing pain and sense of injustice that became an additional incentive for the Gregorians: they joined forces and are doing everything in their power to ensure that Gregory the artist continues to live, and that his talent remains with us forever. And Gregory's story is truly as alive as ever - in particular, it continues within the framework of the Cystic Fibrosis Association, which bears his name, his voice and his image.
Not only in France, but also in Russia, after Gregory’s death, a volunteer movement to combat cystic fibrosis developed. Reports began to appear on television, and a lot of information appeared on the Internet. Gregorians participate in various charity events, promote Gregory's work, helping other people. Meetings are held annually. At Christmas gatherings of the Russian community of Gregory fans, young people prepare congratulations for the Lemarchal family and give gifts. At specially organized meetings in a cinema in Moscow, you can watch a recording of the 2006 concert from the Olympia Hall.
Friends Day
In France, in the summer, Gregorians from different countries gather for Friendship Day (Journée Entre Amis). Meetings traditionally take place in Aix-les-Bains (Aix-les-Bains).
They talk about him
- Karin Ferri, TV presenter and his lover:
“Gregory never pretended. He was as generous and noble with his public as he was with me in love. His gaze was as lively on stage as in our daily personal lives. It gave him equal pleasure to sing with the greats like Bruel or Fiori or with the students of the Star Academy - the main thing for him was to feel a connection on an emotional level. Recently in the evening I watched his concert in Olympia. He admired this hall so much, his dream then came true, he was so happy to see all these people, people who came just for him. He gave a lot of love to his fans and received just as much from them. And he would like to give them much, much more, but this disease even then imposed certain restrictions on him.”
- Luke Plamondon, author of the libretto "SOS d"un terrien en detresse" and the entire "Starmania":
“He’s beautiful, he’s gorgeous, he brings tears to my eyes.
“SOS d"un terrien en detresse“ performed by Gregory is amazing. Being an author, I discovered an amazing performer in Gregory. This is a singer with a new voice. He has everything - character, voice, appearance. For me this is a discovery, in him so much talent. It’s very rare in my life that I fall in love with artists like that. After Balavoine, he’s the only one who sang “SOS” at such an airy height!”
- Helen Segara, singer:
“Gregory is such a wonderful person. He’s not just a beautiful voice, he’s a beautiful personality, and I think it’s very important for an artist to have such inner beauty.”
“I literally fell in love with Gregory at first sight. He has an angelic voice, and he doesn’t need to look for emotions, he already has this emotionality, this spontaneity - he does it very naturally, and this is a gift. He has a voice of rare purity.”
“The day he left, I was supposed to give an outdoor concert. I cried so much that I could barely open my eyes, and I asked myself how I would cope with the concert in this state? I explained everything honestly to the public. And they already had posters ready: “Gregory, we love you” and “Ellen, we are with you.”
“His face, his smile, the stupid things he said when he was having a hard time, his courage. Sometimes I smile when I remember all this, and sometimes I cry... And also - and this is very rare in our profession - I have never heard him criticize anyone.”
- Frederic Renaudin, musician:
“The meeting of the year for me is the meeting with Gregory Lemarchal. This guy can serve as an example for all of us, and at the same time he is incredibly humble. He has talent, endless potential, a huge heart and a wonderful sense of humor."
- Lara Fabian, singer:
“I'm delighted with Gregory. There is a certain light in this person, an inner light emanates from him, it’s nice to even just look at him. He is a true artist in the truest, purest sense of the word. It radiates warmth."
“Gregory touched me and it had nothing to do with his illness. It was simple, clean and especially light. It seems to me that we were spiritually very close. He was a true artist who lived for his passion and love for music. We communicated a lot via SMS so as not to bother each other with calls, but at the same time to be able to tell each other everything at any time. I remember one long conversation we had late one evening in Rome. His questions were more spiritual than technical. I'm not surprised by people's reaction to his departure. This proves that there are still people in this world who hide behind a mask of gloom and insensitivity, but who can be touched by what Gregory carried within himself - something incredibly powerful.”
- Patrick Fiori, singer:
“...his voice simply delighted me. This may seem silly to your readers, but for me Gregory was of the same caliber as Balavoine or Brel. His manner of performance can serve as a standard. He knew how to direct his vocal power in the right direction and add tenderness and softness to emotions. I have no doubt that a great and international career awaited him.”
- Celine Dion, singer:
“I really like what Gregory does. He has enormous talent and charisma on stage. A great future awaits him."
“Gregory is an incredibly talented performer. These are emotions in their purest form. He will go very far. I really like his work."
- Rene Angelil, producer:
“There are very few young artists who can give me goosebumps, but when I listen to Gregory, my hair stands on end... Since Garou, this is the first artist with whom this has happened to me.”
- Patrick Bruel, singer:
"He's one of the greatest singers I've ever sung with."
"He's very, very, very talented."
“Gregory is, first of all, emotions for me. The very first emotion that he evoked instantly, as soon as I saw him on TV... Then the second, incredibly strong, when I first met him in person and felt everything that this man radiated. During Star Academy's 100th prime, I said that Gregory is one of the greatest singers I've ever sung with. And in these words there was not a drop of flattery on my part. Before singing “The Show Must Go On” with him, I listened to his version and I became afraid, for the first time in my career, that I couldn’t be on his level... Although I’m a tenor and can hit very high notes. I had to work a lot on this song. Gregory's dedication for the other person he was performing with and for the art was one hundred percent, I have never seen that in any other artist. He was just... an impressive person."
- Mark Levy, writer:
“Very often the word “kindness” has a certain condescending connotation. And in Gregory this word was revealed in all its meanings. His nobility was obvious, he was very delicate and attentive. That is why I offered him my text “Je t’ecris”. From an emotional point of view, it was very difficult for me to rewrite this text for the memorial evening on TF1. It seemed to me that I could never cope with the last sentence. And Ivan Kassar was in the same condition as me. At the end of the song, we supported each other with our gazes. This word “humanity” was so hard for us because when we said it, we felt even more the confusion that Greg’s death caused. The nationwide emotions that were provoked by his departure are exactly what I'm talking about... They correspond to the spark of humanity that went out with Gregory."
- Ivan Kassar, arranger, musical director:
“People often say that it is always the kindest and most talented who leave, and I am very afraid that this may turn out to be true. I remember what I was with
KARIN FERRI: "Gregory Lemarchal would love the Voice of the Country project." A candid interview with Karine Ferri for TéléStar magazine, published on Monday 28 February. Karin Ferry "Things I Never Said..." Since her stint on The Bachelor in 2004, Karin has settled into television. At 32 years old, such a modest presenter of The Voice opened up to our Tele Star magazine. From her first act in the morning to her love Gregory Lemarchal, read about Karine's personal life below. Telestar: What is the first thing you do when you get up? Karin: I'm going to take a shower! As soon as my alarm clock rings, I go take a shower. Telestar: And the last thing you do in the evening? Karin: I sprinkle oils in my room and on my pillow. Telestar: A song that you are ashamed to admit? Karin: Mediteranneenne Herve Vilard. It amuses my buddies when we get together, but she is very valuable to me (laughs). Telestar: Fetish film? Karin: "Ghost" with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. It is very close to me, because it is a beautiful story that gives hope... Telestar: Talisman? Karin: I have a few heirloom pieces, if you can call them that! (laughs). Actually we are talking about chains, watch straps that were given to me and which I try to wear as soon as I can, depending on what I am wearing for work. Telestar: What are some of your annoying quirks? Karin: I have a very nervous and not very glamorous tic: I break the split ends of my hair. I've had this since I was very little. It's very annoying for people who are with me because I look at my hair when they talk to me. Telestar: As a child, were you more of an angel or an imp? Karin: More like an angel! I was very affectionate, very clingy, even. I always stuck to my parents and my brother. Telestar: Are you close with your brother, David, with whom you are 6 years apart? Karin: As children, we were constantly figuring things out, arguing, and my mother always had to be a kind of policeman at home. 6 years difference is a lot when you are a child, and especially when you are brother and sister. Fortunately, today there is no such difference! (smiles). Telestar: Has your brother been keeping an eye on your potential suitors? Karin: Oh yes, and nothing has changed here! (laughs). He's very protective of me. And besides, I come from a Mediterranean family, with great values, respect... Therefore, we gather as a family for general advice when there is a need! Telestar: As a teenager, were you more of a heart-winner or a big prude? Karin: I wasn't super modest, but I wasn't a heart-winner either. In fact, I was hyper romantic, very sentimental, watched whiny films, such as Dirty Dancing, Sissi imperatrice, etc. Telestar: Your first kiss? Karin: I was 13 years old, it was at a party, to the song You Call It Love from the movie The Apprentice. I was so into all the romantic movies that I wanted to live a love story like in a movie. And I asked them to play this song. And there was a small kiss, very modest and naive. Telestar: Complexes? Karin: Like everyone else. I would like to be bigger, have wavy hair and fuller lips. And I don't like my legs or my arms. Telestar: Do you play sports? Karin: A lot! Depending on my shoots, I exercise 3 times a week in general. Telestar: What is your most wonderful vacation ever? Karin: The ones I spend every summer at our family home in the south of France with my parents and my brother. This is better than any trip. Telestar: Manechka before you go out to host your programs? Karin: I spray perfume in my dressing room, place candles, try to create a harmonious atmosphere, like when you go for a massage. In short, I relax as best I can... Telestar: What is your greatest professional pride? Karin: The Voice, because I watched season 1 and now to be a part of it, it was incredible for me. This is still the biggest TF1 project. Besides, I work in a family, with Nikos and the people who made StarAk before and whom I knew when we were younger... Telestar: What did you do on the evening of your 30th birthday to cross this threshold? Karin: I cried (laughs). I went to a restaurant with my family, but when I returned home, I cried. I was not in the mood at all and I spent a disgusting evening... Why is this, because of the number 3 and the fact that I need to tell myself that I have become a woman? And then, it’s worth saying that I don’t like to celebrate my birthdays for some time... I’m no longer a lover of April (Karine Ferry was born on April 25, and Gregory Lemarchal passed away on April 30, 2007 - ed). Telestar: Nick admitted to us that he really liked hearing Gregory’s songs on The Voice. What about you? Karin: This is a very good thing for an artist. And this is a beautiful sign of attention towards the artist. Knowing this, Gregoi would be very happy. But I admit that it can be very difficult for loved ones when, suddenly, you hear Gregory’s song. All this leads you to emotions that you cannot cope with while you are at work. ..However, I am very pleased because it shows that they love the artist and that they have not forgotten him. So, keep singing Gregory's songs on The Voice! If we talk about me, then this effect that this produces on me concerns only me, and I have a very good environment... (excitedly). Telestar: What would Gregory think about the show? Karin: I'm sure he would love The Voice because the coaches only judge on singing. We're here for all the clichés, and this show confirms that you don't have to be a size 36 to sing well... Telestar: What is your greatest pride, speaking of the Gregory Lemarchal Association? Karin: We do a lot of things and improve the daily lives of patients, but the one that stands out to me is the renovation of the pneumology department at the Foch hospital in Suresnes, where Greg was hospitalized. And the garden that was created later. His idea allowed patients to walk, which is very good for morale and good morale. The entire department has been updated and every room has been thoughtfully designed. Today, when you enter the department, you can see a huge portrait photo of Greg. Because all this is thanks to him...
Men of different professions and life views met on Lara Fabian's path, but Lara met true, mature love only recently. The singer’s experience proves: all events in life happen when they are supposed to happen. On the eve of Lara Fabian's concert on November 30, we remember the love stories of the popular artist.
Rick
May 1990, Brussels, Lara Croquette (the singer’s real name) is 20 years old. She has already hit the big jackpot of the competition for young talents, recorded a prize-winning single, behind the conservatory and Eurovision-88. Lara performs in music bars and dreams of a big stage. One day, pianist Rick Allison drops by - he immediately begins to accompany a girl with an angelic voice, they instantly fall in love and after a short time, in search of creative freedom, they leave for the other side of the globe - to Canada.
Many call this moment in the singer’s career a turning point - no one knows how her creative destiny would have developed if she had remained in Europe. Lara Fabian's first album was released in Canada, and it was there that she first received unconditional public recognition. All projects created together with Rick Allison were very successful. But Rick's pathological jealousy did its dirty work - after 6 years of marriage, the couple broke up.
Patrick
In the late nineties, Lara Fabian returns to Europe. After her first concert at the famous Parisian Olympia Hall, she meets Patrick Fiori, who plays Phoebus in the mega-popular musical Notre Dame de Paris. Passionate love flared up in an instant - they sang a duet, breaking the hearts of fans, their photos together did not leave the pages of magazines, they made grandiose plans, and a year after they met, they bought a plot of land on the island of Corsica for their future nest.
But the relationship between Lara and Patrick was by no means cloudless, as it might seem at first. For Lara, Patrick became the meaning of life, she seemed to dissolve in him. But Patrick just wanted freedom - he liked the playful role of Phoebus in life. The yellow press added fuel to the fire, following every step of the star couple. Having learned about Patrick's real infidelities, Lara announced a break in relations. Later she will say: “My mistake was that I loved a man more than myself.” It was then that the singer, having experienced deep depression, reconsidered her entire life and accepted her real self. Including on stage - for the first time Lara Fabian sang as she felt herself.
Gerard
For several years, Lara has selflessly devoted herself to creativity - live concerts, tours in different countries, meetings with fans, participation in performances, shows and charity events. Immersion in her favorite work helps her overcome failures in her personal life. At this time, the famous French director Gerard Pullicino appears on the horizon again. Again, because they have known each other for many years - it was Gerard who shot her first video for Lara back in 1988. Now a romantic relationship began between him, and a year later Lara Fabian’s cherished dream came true: she became a mother.
Motherhood became a great happiness for the singer. According to her, only after giving birth to a child did she feel like a real woman. But love didn't work out again. In November 2012, on her official page on social networks, Lara Fabian published the following: “To prevent various rumors, I want to warn you that Gerard and I, by common agreement, decided to separate after 7 years of a happy life together. We will maintain our relationship with the utmost respect and affection for the sake of our little Lou. I know that you will make this decision. I can’t say anything more comprehensive on this topic.”
Gregory
The Star Academy project (French “Star Factory”) added another story to Lara Fabian’s biography. One of the participants, Gregory Lemarchal, chose the famous Je T "aime for the competition and performed it in such a way that Lara Fabian herself wanted to sing a duet with the young talent. Together they recorded the song “Ave Maria,” Lara Fabian perfectly got used to the image of the beauty in love. So and the myth of the love relationship between Lara and Gregory was born.
In 2007, Gregory Lemarchal died as a result of an incurable hereditary disease. The “Golden Voice of France” was only 23 years old. The tragedy shocked the country, and Lara Fabian, like everyone else, deeply felt the loss. The singer began her first concert after the incident with the same composition - Je T "aime, dedicating it to Gregory. Because of her tears, Lara could not sing, and then the audience of thousands sang with her, replacing “I love you” with “We love you” At this touching moment, Lara Fabian again believed in the love she had been singing about all her life.
Gabriel
In June 2013, Lara Fabian marries illusionist Gabriel Di Giorgio. The wedding ceremony took place at the foot of the Etna volcano; the pop diva's husband fully supported her idea of a small wedding with the invitation of her closest ones. The news about the wedding was so unexpected that it was even called some kind of trick, hinting at the profession of the chosen one. And happy Lara reminded the confused public that her personal life was always under the microscope of the press. And any public appearance with a man was called by the paparazzi the beginning of a new romance. So she did everything she could to keep this love story intact.