Achi news desk-
Jean-Pierre Perland, the singer-songwriter who became a fixture of Quebec’s cultural landscape during a career that spanned more than six decades, died Saturday at the age of 89.
The agency that represents Perland confirmed that the singer, whose signature song “une chance qu’on s’a” is considered a classic of Quebec music, died of natural causes after being hospitalized earlier this year.
Born in Montreal on June 24, 1934, Ferland was a prolific artist who produced some 30 albums, including the culturally significant Jaune, which sold about 60,000 copies a year after its 1970 release.
He was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of Canada and Knight of the National Order of Quebec, and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007.
Pearland held a concert at Montreal’s Bell Center in 2007 to mark his official retirement after a career spanning more than four decades, but continued to perform and record until 2021.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, writing for X, described Perland as a “giant” of Francophone music.
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“He wrote and sang songs that will be part of Quebec culture forever,” Trudeau wrote. “He will be sorely missed.”
Quebec Premier François Legault described Perland as “a great builder of Quebecois-French song,” adding that he listened to “Jaune” on repeat.
Canadian singer Roch Voisine paid tribute to the artist whom he described as “incomparable”.
“His album ‘Jaune’ changed everything,” said Voisine. “And all the songs that follow. Rest in peace, Mr. Pearland.”
While he originally worked as an accountant, Pearland became part of the county’s cultural scene a few years after recording his first songs in 1958.
He began making a name for himself in Quebec and internationally in the 1960s before the release of “Jaune” in 1970.
Pearland took his first steps into television and film in the 1970s, and would become an actor, screenwriter and host for several productions.
While a stroke in 2006 brought about his official retirement, he continued to perform and record, it ultimately did not stop his output. Notable performances included a 2008 concert at the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City to celebrate the city’s 400th anniversary with other Quebec stars, including Celine Dion and Jeanette Reno. He has also released several new albums, including “Bijoux de famille” in 2009 and the live album “Les Noces d’or de jaune” in 2011.
“I left this profession, I quit, I did a farewell show. But it didn’t last long,” he told Radio-Canada in 2021.
“I was ashamed, but I came back, and as quickly as possible. This is the most beautiful job in the world.”
Perland is survived by his partner and two children, as well as four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
