Plamondon
Luc Plamondon, born on March 2, 1942, in Saint-Raymond, Quebec, Canada, is a renowned French-Canadian lyricist and music executive. He is celebrated for his significant contributions to musical theatre, particularly through his work on the rock operas "Starmania" and "Notre-Dame de Paris." Plamondon's career as a lyricist spans several decades, during which he has collaborated with a multitude of artists from Quebec and Europe, including Céline Dion, Diane Dufresne, and Johnny Hallyday.
Raised in a culturally rich environment, Plamondon was introduced to music by his aunt, who taught him piano and involved him in local operettas. His formal education included classical studies at the Petit Séminaire de Québec and further studies in literature at the Université de Montréal. He also earned a Bachelor of Education from Laval University. His early exposure to musical theatre, notably seeing Brecht and Weill's "Opéra de Quat-sous," profoundly influenced his artistic direction.
Plamondon's breakthrough came with the creation of "Starmania" in collaboration with composer Michel Berger. Released in 1978, it was one of the first French-language rock operas and featured a mix of French and Quebecois artists. This success was followed by "Notre-Dame de Paris" in 1998, co-created with Richard Cocciante, which enjoyed international acclaim.
Throughout his career, Plamondon has received numerous accolades, including induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. He has been honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. His songs have become classics within the Francophone music scene, and his influence continues to inspire new generations of artists.