Known for his work with Marjo (whom he always calls “Marjolaine”), Jean Millaire composed dozens of songs with the rocker, which are still great successes today.
Met last September, while receiving the François-Cousineau prize at the SPACQ Foundation Gala, the composer delved into the memories of his childhood and his beginnings in music.
“At home, we didn’t watch The Plouffeswe were watching Ed Sullivan. My parents were music lovers, I grew up with the Beatles and all the great European and American rock groups,” he says.
According to the artist, who first worked with singer François Guy, you need to have a good musical background as well as good listening skills to become a composer.
Photo Agence QMI, MARIO BEAUREGARD
Improvisation
With Marjo, there was an album with Lucien Francoeur, then the formation of the group Corbeau. The duo created the songs for the records The one who goes, As long as there are children et Bohemian, all of which achieved great success.
“I learned by doing it. I started with a series of chords, not even a melody. I said to Marjolaine: “Try to find an idea to start.” She loved working with her little machine. She sang on it, moved back, erased,” remembers the 73-year-old guitarist, who admits… not knowing how to read music!
“It is often accidents that make songs,” continues the artist, who relies heavily on improvisation. “That’s what I’ve done my whole career with my guitar. Sometimes a bad chord or a wrong note will take me somewhere else.”
Evolving in the shadows never bothered the man who was nevertheless inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023. Composing the music, putting on the shows, placing the songs, trying out the arrangements in the studio and directing were more than satisfying.
“It was perfect for me. We had a group spirit with Corbeau and my only goal was to play the guitar, to make music. The important thing was that we liked our songs and if the public followed, it was even better,” he adds with a laugh.
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