death of Rosalie Dubois, forgotten figure of French song with a million records sold

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She had a longevity that would make many jealous. THE Sunday December 15, 2024, Rosalie Dubois died in Mormant (Seine-et-Marne) at the age of 92 ans. Five years earlier, she was still in the studio recording Colors & Varnishes, his latest album released in 2019.

“She had a crazy character, funny like everything and a terrible joke!, remembers Pierre-Yves Nicot, mayor of the town of Briarde, who dedicated the cultural space of the city which has borne his name for several months. It is sad news…”

Historical personalityof the commune, where she had took over his parents’ house rue Pasteur, the singer born October 26, 1932 became known after the war, the end of the 1950s.Young Rosalie Dubois, her real name Jeannine Raolleauthen completed his studies to become a lawyer .

To finance her school fees, she works in theat a fishmongerfamily, rue des Abbesses, in Montmartre . There she meets Bernard Dimey et Pierre MacOrlan, famous songwriters of the time.

However, music did not immediately have a particular importance in his life. But to take up a bet, she participates in a competition organized in 1959 by Europe 1 Tomorrow’s No. 1s and wins it by performing Julie the Redhead by René-Louis Lafforgue.

Johnny Hallyday, Dalida and the Olympia

Following this success, the young woman signs his first contract recording. In February 1960, she was on stage at tBobino theater, in Paris, where with her waltzes and javas, she competes against the rock songs of young Johnny Hallyday and to the inimitable Dalidato glamorous songs and dresses.

Between 1960 and 1962, records and galas followed one another. Rosalie Duboisend more than 1 million 45 rpms. In September, she survived a terrible car accident. Between rehabilitation, depression and alcohol his career is interrupted and bogged down, the lows outweighing the highs.

But the artist pulls herself together, she wants to be the only one responsible for her choices and to bring her repertoire into line with her ideas. This Catholic and communist Bretonthen decides to go out an anthology of revolutionary songs . From 1978 to 1982, five 33 rpm records bringing together 62 songs of protest and revolt are published. Then, in 1992, she decided this time to put an end to her career.

“I had a great career as a singer. Giving my name to the Mormant cultural space is a real honor for me! »

More than 20 years after its withdrawal, it is Bernard Ascal,author, singer, composer and show creator who will put her back in the saddle. With the aim of finding her, he conducted research for 2 years which led him to Mormant where the artist lived: “The woman is fascinating, with her very clear ideas,” he confided at the time. The power clicked and we got to work for a year. »

Rosalie Dubois, who had not sung for 22 yearsthen goes back to vocal exercises to recover his vocal tone. By assembling seven new songs with five of the author and poet’s titles Bernard Dimey she offers Colors & Varnishes, an album with a strong literary and Montmartre component. At 87 years old, it will be his last.

“The last time I saw him was on March 23, to celebrate her diamond weddingwith her husband Bernard Berger, concludes Pierre-Yves Nicot. For the occasion, we organized the ceremony in ‘his’ room, which bears his name. »

“I had a great career as a singerI moved to Bobino and l’Olympia she confided then, with a smile on her lips. Having my name on the front of the Mormant cultural space is therefore a real honor for me! » And an indelible tribute.

The funeral by Rosalie Dubois will take place this Friday December 20, 2024 has 10 h 30au Mormant cemetery.

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