Another figure in Quebec pop music has just died. René Letart died on Monday in Lévis at the age of 84 after a long illness.
René Letarte achieved his first success in the 1960s as bassist and lyricist of the group Les Bel Canto, to whom we owe, among other things, the success. frustrated (I'm in despair!). In this era dominated by English-speaking “copies” of hit songs, the Quebecois quintet was one of the first to write their own songs in the style of The Beatles, a distinction in itself. He also recorded at Abbey Road Studio in 1970 and performed at the Osaka International Festival in Japan the same year.
René Letart reinvented himself in 1972 when he became a producer and director for a new generation of Quebec artists, including Gilles Valiquette, Jacques Michel, Séguins and Jim Bertrand. He then became a full-time singer and songwriter under the name René Dantoine. In addition to his solo album, which he released in 1980, he gave writing workshops and founded the “Chanson Academy” in Levis in 2001, where he set up his own studio, gave singing lessons and recorded new songs.
“He was a very good composer, respected by all the musicians of the 1960s,” confirms Sébastien Derosier, a rock historian and record publisher in Quebec. Bel Cantos was unanimous. »
Unlike other musicians of the yéyé generation, he never left the profession and remained active until recently, despite starting dialysis more than 10 years ago. “I'm tired,” he told us last year during a recent conversation. This did not prevent him from giving us some of his time. Professional to the end. Hi Renee!
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