Singer, songwriter, actor… So many hats for Canadian artist Roch Voisine who is preparing to make his comeback on stage. He became known in 1989 with the song “Helen”which became an international success, marking the start of a career that could not be more flourishing. Roch Voisine sings in French and English, which allows him to reach a varied and international audience. Over the years, the Canadian released several acclaimed albums, including “Double”, “Headbutt” et “Americana”, a series of albums paying homage to American folk and country music. Interviewed by our colleagues from the magazine Closerhe spoke about his return to the stage 35 years after the release of his title Hélène, of which he offers 5 different versions on his new album: “The original French version from 1989; the acoustic where I sing alone on the guitar; a duet with Coeur de Pirate; a Californian pop-rock version and the English version”.
While some thought that Hélène was one of his loves, Roch Voisine gave more details about this woman who was in reality the girlfriend of a friend. “His name was Stéphane. I haven't seen him much since. But he came to see me in Montreal for my new tour 'Hélène 35 ans', which I'm going to give in France in 2025. It wasn't a real musician He had arrived with three chords and wanted to please his girlfriend. I simply told him 'I'll help you'. he said. On tour from April 1, 2025, in Belgium, Switzerland and France, including the Grand Rex in Paris on April 8, 2025, he explained that he will sing the version of his song “Closest to the original”. This tour was already scheduled to take place in 2024 but ultimately had to be postponed for health reasons. “I actually caught a virus, Streptococcus A. The eardrum was pierced, the pain was severeI couldn't hear anything anymore. The treatment with antibiotics for a month and a half did not work. An operation was necessary. Doctors discovered a complication and had to intervene in the skull.” he sadly detailed. And to confide: “A heavy intervention. I have not recovered my hearing 100%. There is little chance that I will ever find her again.”.
A daily handicap…
Roch Voisine then explained that this health concern and the fact that he had not fully recovered his hearing was somewhat disabling for him. “The singers have earpieces on TV sets or on stage to hear the orchestra precisely. I have a new listening system which allows me to continue my job perfectly”he began reassuringly. And to conclude seriously: “But in private, at home, if I want to listen to a symphony orchestra, for example, it's hellish, I can no longer have this pleasure. In the studio either: I produced or co-produced my 30 albums, I could no longer do it today. It's very hard”.
