Another of my favorite French-language singers is Garou.  As did many French people, I first fell in love with this Quebec-born singer listening to the Notre Dame de Paris CDs.  He played Quasimodo in the musical drama that toured Paris, Montreal, Lyon, Brussels and London. 

The winner of many international music awards, he got his first guitar as a present from his parents at the age of three.  At five, he learned piano and the organ.  His first stage appearances were in front of audiences 300-strong in his school auditorium as part of a Beatles-inspired band formed by his classmates.  After graduating, he played trumpet in the Canadian Armed Forces band for about a year but left since he was a bit of a rebel.  He spent time working odd jobs while performing in night clubs and Montreal metro stations.  He gained fame as Quasimodo and then appeared with various French-language singers on albums and at shows.  When Celine Dion, with whom he recorded Sous le vent, decided to take a two-year break, she entrusted her team to Garou.  His first album Seul sold 2.5 million copies. 

His latest album is entitled Piece of My Soul and is topping the music charts in several countries.  It is his first English-language album and is filled with songs from all over the world, written by international songwriters and stars including Enrique Iglesias.  He is currently on tour across the former Soviet Union. 

Check out Garou’s official website.

Belle from Notre Dame de Paris