Farewell to Serge Fiori — The Soul of Quebec’s Music Leaves Us
It’s hard to find the right words when someone like Serge Fiori passes. It feels like more than the end of a chapter—it’s the closing of a book we never wanted to finish. Serge Fiori, the iconic voice and spirit behind Harmonium, left this world in the early hours of June 24th, 2025, at 73 years old. Fittingly, it happened on the day of the Fête nationale du Québec, almost as if his departure was part of some poetic script written in the stars.
He wasn’t just a musician; he was a channeler of emotion, a conduit of beauty. His songs weren’t simply melodies strung together—they were sacred. Libert Subirana, former bandmate and close friend, said it best: “When he started writing, it was like something sacred took over.” Fiori could struggle with the simplest things in life, overwhelmed by anxiety, but give him a guitar and something divine would light up in him.
Also Read:- New York Scorches Under Record Heat Wave Not Felt Since 1888
- Auckland City FC’s Tough Club World Cup Journey Faces Boca Juniors Challenge
His passing has touched everyone from fellow musicians to political figures and fans across generations. Michel Rivard recalled their time living together in Saint-Césaire, during the creation of L’Heptade . Their shared musical journey, filled with dreams, creativity, and deep friendship, paints the picture of a golden era of Quebec music. “He never stopped searching,” said Rivard. That spirit of relentless creativity defined him.
Even broadcasters like Paul Arcand, who worked with Fiori on projects like Les Voleurs d’enfance , described him as gentle, professional, and deeply affected by anxiety. Fiori regretted being seen as a misanthrope when in truth, he was simply burdened by an inner storm.
Public tributes have poured in. Richard Séguin called him a brother, Louis-Jean Cormier shared that they had texted just days earlier, and Premier François Legault emphasized how Fiori’s work defined Quebec’s cultural identity. His music, Legault said, “crossed borders and generations,” resonating from Mount Royal to European stages.
For Emile Bilodeau, a rising voice in Quebec’s music scene, Fiori’s refusal to compromise—like turning down $1 million to translate his songs into English—embodied artistic integrity. His final years included collaboration with Indigenous communities, translating “Un musicien parmi tant d’autres” into multiple Indigenous languages, affirming his commitment to unity and cultural respect.
The irony, as Bilodeau noted, is almost cinematic: “He died on June 24th? That only adds to the legend.” And truly, it does. Serge Fiori leaves behind more than songs. He leaves behind a legacy that’s stitched into the very fabric of Quebec’s cultural soul.
Rest in peace, Serge. Your music will continue to echo through our lives—eternal, poetic, and deeply human.
Read More:
0 Comments