Luc Plamondon

Luc Plamondon

Luc Plamondon, lyricist (b at Saint-Raymond-de-Portneuf, Qué 2 Mar 1945). His studies included piano, theatre, pedagogy, and letters, leading to advanced degree work in French literature, art history, and to a graduate degree in English from the West London College. He also studied German and Italian. After spending time in New York City in the late 1960s, he returned to his native Québec where he wrote his first song, the resounding success "Dans ma Camaro," set to music by André GAGNON and performed by Steve Fiset. Monique LEYRAC made him famous by singing several of his texts, and he went on to write for Renée CLAUDE, Robert CHARLEBOIS, Julien Clerc and others. He also penned the lyrics of Diane DUFRESNE's major hits (music by François Cousineau).

Plamondon went to Paris (1976) at the invitation of Michel Berger, with whom he later composed the rock opera Starmania; several of its songs have become immensely popular. His skill at adapting style and language to the particular singer has made him much in demand with artists of several generations. He rose to become one of the most sought-after lyricists of the francophonie. Céline DION recorded an album of his songs in 1991. In 1995 a compilation of his greatest hits was released, and in 1998, the international blockbuster music drama Notre-Dame de Paris (also on record) began its world tour.

A defender of author's rights, Plamondon was a founding member (1981) of the Société professionelle des auteurs et compositeurs du Québec (SPACQ). In 1996 Plamondon was awarded the Mérite du Français for his contribution to the French language in the performing arts. In 2011 he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.