French singer garou. Garou: "I can't understand what women see in me"

He gained wide fame after playing the role of Quasimodo in the musical Notre Dame de Paris in 1998. Garou real name Garegin was born in the city of Sherbrooke in the province of Quebec on June 26, 1972, eight years later than his older sister Helen. He grew up in a house where music was always playing. When he was three years old, his parents began to notice that their child was very musical. His Armenian grandmother once took little Pierre in her arms and quietly said: “Someday this voice will make more than one woman’s heart cry!” And she turned out to be right.

Garou's father had a hobby - he played the guitar, which is why Garou received his first guitar and his first lessons from him. He taught him several chords, and the boy immediately demonstrated his innate talent, because music had been a part of his life from a very early age.

Two years later, Garou began to master the piano and organ.

Summer, 1991. Garou, who served in the Quebec city of Citadel, often “borrowed” an army vehicle for “hiking” through the “jungle” of Montreal.

A year later, Garou decides it is time to end his military career.

1993. Military service behind him, Garou tries to survive and takes on any job: he carries furniture, works in vineyards, and briefly works as a manager in a clothing store.

And Garou's voice could only be heard in Montreal metro stations. It was a game with which he told passersby about themselves: “Sex Pistols” for a young rebel, Charles Aznavour for a couple of lovers, or funny children's songs for a mother and child. Garou sincerely gave people joy and demonstrated his musical talent.

One day (March 1993), one of his good friends invited Garou to a concert of a musician named Louis Alarie.

Between songs, Garou was offered a microphone. One fearless performance of a single song and he was immediately hired.

“The first thing I did when I left there was buy a sound system. I also needed to learn new songs to add something to my repertoire. Only three days were allotted for preparation! This was my first step into the grueling cycle of nightlife.”

The Garou's reputation as a local celebrity quickly spread throughout the area.

After many hectic months hauling all his equipment from bar to bar, he was given the opportunity to perform at Sherbrooke's Liquor Store. The evening was an instant success that lasted four years. “I learned what the energy of the audience is and the connection with them there.”

In the summer of 1995, he created an R&B group called The Untouchables. The group was a success at every performance. There were many attractive contract offers, but something stopped Garou.

“Looking back, Sony offered me a great deal, but I needed time because I didn’t feel ready.”

“With The Untouchables, we never stuck to the same repertoire. The musicians in the band were used to the fact that they never knew what we were going to play next! I love improvisation!”

These same musicians accompanied Garou on a tour of Europe and Quebec after the release of the album "Seul".

As a child, Garou dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. He was fascinated by the romance of travel and history. Both in archeology and in music, the Garou had the same common feature - a sincere joy of discovery.

“As an artist, it’s as if you are communicating with that part of yourself in which you remained a child. You sincerely enjoy life, this instills a desire to live and create. This is the very reason why I love to sing."

During his early school years, Garou attended a private boys' school and was considered a model student. However, by the age of 14, he suddenly became a rebel. Both parents and teachers were perplexed and could not understand anything.

During music lessons, as it was decided by the teachers, Garou was supposed to learn to play the trumpet, but he, in turn, refused to study the “science” offered to him. One day, tormented by the wayward teenager’s antics, the music teacher actually kicked him out of class.

Nicknamed "werewolf"

His real name is Pierre Garand, and he was born on June 26, 1972 in the Canadian town of Sherbrooke in a family of ethnic Armenians. To this day, the artist remembers how his grandmother taught him to speak Armenian. “When you greet elders,” she said, “you must be polite.” By the way, it was my grandmother who taught Garu to sing. According to family legend, she once took little Pierre in her arms and quietly said: “Someday this voice will make more than one woman’s heart cry!” And she turned out to be right.

In Garu’s house, music was constantly played by his father, the boy also played and sang, which allowed him to quickly develop his hearing and sense of rhythm: “My first guitar fell into my hands at the age of three, and my father taught me the first chords,” recalls the artist . – When I was five years old, I started taking piano lessons, but I didn’t really like it. A year later I left the lessons because I realized that this was not my instrument. I started playing guitar again and even surpassed my father.”

Garou's main childhood dream was archeology - he dreamed of grandiose historical finds and treasures. Over time, however, the boy realized that the art of music was a true treasure for him. For a long time, he was an exemplary student at the Sherbrooke Seminary, a private school where, by the way, as part of the group The Windows and Doors, he played The Beatles songs on guitar and sang McCartney's parts. As for the singer’s stage name, “Garou” translated from French means “monster, werewolf.” This is what his friends nicknamed him for his addiction to the nocturnal lifestyle.

After two years at the university, which the musician left, Garou served in the army and there, in the brass band of the Canadian Armed Forces, he played the trumpet. It was during his years of service that the guy met Isabel Bolduc. The girl played the clarinet and had a beautiful soprano voice. She and Pierre became best friends, spent a lot of time together, secretly leaving the unit in a company car, watching sunrises together and making plans for the future. After the army, Garou changed many professions, from a loader to a grape gatherer.

Isabelle was then working in a Sherbrooke cafe, and one day the famous Quebec singer Louis Alarie, hearing her humming, invited her and her friends to perform in the pub. Of course, she brought Garou with her and literally pushed him onto the stage. Only one song - and after deathly silence the hall explodes with applause, chanting: “Garu! Garou! Pierre was invited to sing in this pub on weekends. He is finally seriously thinking about a career as an artist.

"Every evening I became an outcast"

His voice has a unique coloring, even when performing songs of other musicians, he brings something of his own to them. Despite the varied tastes of the local public, Garou is becoming popular in certain circles. He continues to compose songs, but does not perform them, invites friends and colleagues on stage with him, and often performs with Isabelle. And then a misfortune happens to the girl. On June 29, 1996, she leaves a bar at approximately 2 a.m. to celebrate the end of the school year. Isabel decided to walk home. On the way, she is attacked by three scum, they rape her and kill her. The police found the body only a few days later, after combing all the forests in the area. To this day, Garou deeply worries about Isabelle’s death, and at concerts in memory of her he performs the touching Demande au soleil (“Ask the Sun”).

“For a long time I could not come to my senses after this terrible tragedy and even thought about taking cruel revenge, but revenge could end badly for me,” says the singer. He continued to perform in clubs in Quebec, where he was once heard by the poet Luc Plamodon, one of the authors of the musical Notre Dame De Paris. The producers could not find an actor to play the role of Quasimodo. “When I went to the audition, I didn’t know I was auditioning for the role of a hunchback,” Garou says. – At the piano, Richard Cociante began to play the first verse of Belle, and later I continued. He stopped and looked at Luc Plamondon. They liked my Quasimodo. They asked me to sing Dieu que le monde est injuste. I felt it like I've never felt any song before. The next morning they told me, “You are Quasimodo.”

Garou played this role at the premiere at the Paris Palace of Congresses. “Then every evening I became a hunchback, unloved, an outcast,” the singer recalled. “And when I left the theater, I felt great love from the audience.” Oddly enough, he is not at all tired of Belle, and every time he sings it with new emotions: “But the fact is that this is a trio, and I can’t sing for two more. I sang it in different countries in different languages, experimented a lot, and brought an unusual version to Russia. You know, before the performance of Notre Dame De Paris, I performed light music, optimistic, there was always a smile on my face, and when I switched to the role of Quasimodo, I had to plunge into the world of other passions. Imagine, for three years, every evening I cried both on stage and in the dressing room, simply experiencing physical torment.” Garou was once asked how he liked the Russian translation of Belle. After all, the line: “I will give my soul to the devil for a night with you” in the mouth of Quasimodo seemed to many to be sacrilege. “In fact, you can break wood for the woman you love,” the artist replied.

“And one day Sting called me!”

In 1999, Rene Angelil, the husband, manager and producer of singer Celine Dion, appears in Garou's life. Under his leadership, Garou recorded his first album Seul ("Lonely"), the best musicians working with him: Bryan Adams, Richard Cocciante, Didier Barbelivien, Aldo Nova and Luc Plamondon. The album sells more than 2 million copies. In 2001, Garou gave more than eighty concerts, and his album Seul... avec vous (Alone with You) went platinum in France and gold in Quebec. The artist becomes a real star of the Francophone world, his concerts and tours are scheduled far in advance. Next came the albums Reviens (“Come Back”) in 2003, in 2006 – Garou, and finally, in 2008, the English-language album Piece Of My Soul (“Piece of My Soul”). The last disc was Rhythm and Blues, which was released last year. Each album is unique in its own way: in genre, style, content, revealing Garou to the listener from a new, unknown side. The only thing that is consistent is amazing performance, “beautiful French music performed by a beautiful Frenchman.”

Garou remains good friends with Celine Dion. “Her show in Las Vegas is fantastic, I've seen it countless times,” says the artist. “We used to come with Monsieur Angelil, Celine’s husband and producer, with the desire to watch three or four songs and then plunge into the world of the casino, but every time we remained spellbound until the finale, although I am a big fan of poker. Celine's voice is just a Stradivarius violin. On stage, she is not a person, but a goddess. But in life she is absolutely sincere, humane, real. I could see more than once that the greatest stars in life and in communication are the simplest. I had a chance to sing a duet from “Notre Dame” with Mick Jagger. And one day Sting called me!

Yes, yes, Sting himself. And this is my favorite singer! Imagine, I pick up the phone and hear: “Mr. Garou, this is Mr. Sting!” It was also very strange because he called my country house in the village (there are only forests and a lake all around!), on a phone number that no one knows. And he said: “Maybe we can sing together!” We recorded a duet and, listening to it, I dream of singing with him again.”

"Fatherhood has changed my character"

But the one who decides that the Garou’s path is strewn only with roses will be mistaken. The artist’s visit to Russia in 2004 can be considered one of the failures. Then the organizers decided to “spoil” the audience by promising in the poster “the final show of the legendary musical Notre Dame De Paris, but in fact no performance was brought to the Ice Palace, and Garou took the rap for everyone, giving, in fact, a solo concert. The people in Russia did not know the artist well at that time, they were waiting for the musical, and, sensing something was wrong, they left the concert in crowds, cursing everyone and everything.

But now that ugly story has been forgotten, Garou’s songs and videos began to be played on TV and radio, his low, sexually charged timbre touched the hearts of music lovers. And now the guy from Quebec’s concerts are a great success everywhere, he has a lot of fans. After all, the “hunchback from Notre Dame” is in reality under 190, slim, athletic, smiling, and at the same time not pretentious. Garou is given a special piquancy by the shape of his ears, which makes our fans give their pet not only chic bouquets of roses, but also funny Cheburashka toys (this amuses him, and Garou sometimes sings several phrases from the cartoon song in Russian).

Like other famous people, there is a lot of gossip about the artist, and he is not at all happy about it: “It’s sad that people are more interested in the details of the personal lives of artists, and not in their work. The personal life of stars is a difficult issue for them, because they have to spend a lot of time outside the home. As for me, a large photograph once appeared in one of the French magazines in which I was depicted with Isabelle Adjani, and the article said that we were in great love and were going to get married. In reality, we have never met!”

Garou always tries to keep the ground under his feet: “I would like to think that people applaud not what I am, but what I do. This applause inspires me to give the audience even more of my creativity and my soul.” He was once asked what colors he would use to describe his music, because there are people who cannot hear it. “Once I went to Africa on a safari and ended up in an orphanage where there were children whose parents died of AIDS,” Garou answered. “I filmed them and saw dark-skinned children in bright clothes on the small screen. This picture seemed very lifelike to me. In everyday life we ​​don’t always notice such colors.”

Garou loves to live life to the fullest and does not understand people who are not interested in anything. And women inspire him, although he is not at all looking for an ideal, believing that one does not exist. “However, there is an ideal connection between a woman and a man,” says the singer. “But you need to be able to build such relationships yourself.”

In 2000, Garou met former fashion model Ulrika, and soon the charming baby Emily was born. However, despite the birth of his daughter, the artist did not want to tie the knot. Although he tries to be a good father for Emily: “Her birth, of course, changed my character very much. Two months before my daughter was born, I was in a serious car accident. When I pulled off the road, I thought I might die. But then the thought arose that soon I would be a father and I would have responsibility towards my daughter. This responsibility has changed me a lot."

He continues to perform solo concerts, and also admits that he somehow caught himself wanting to return to the world of the musical, perhaps as not only an artist, but also a producer: “It is possible that we, the seven soloists of Notre Dame De Paris , let's connect again in some show. I also played in a movie for the first time a couple of years ago, in the film “Love: A Roundtrip Ticket.” I used to refuse to act, but it turned out to be so great. So, anything can happen."

Prepared by Lina Lisitsyna,
based on materials

Garou: "I can't understand what women see in me"

His real name is Pierre Garand, but this thirty-year-old Canadian is known throughout the world under the pseudonym Garou. The standard story of a guy from the provinces, who played in a small group and was noticed by the creator of the famous musical "Notre Dame de Paris" Luc Plamondon, may not have become so important for the development of French music if not for the unique characteristics of our hero.

The two-meter-tall handsome man, as it turned out, was the owner of an absolutely rare voice, and, moreover, excellent acting abilities, which does not happen to singers as often as admirers of their talent would like. The role of Quasimodo became a true classic of the genre, and Garou himself acquired a large army of fans and especially female fans. The album "Lonely", released in 2001, sold three million copies, the hoarse voice of the French star sounded not only in Paris, but also in Warsaw, Moscow, Tel Aviv...

In his personal life, despite the fame of an avid heartthrob, the singer was in no hurry to give away his heart left and right. In 2000, he met former fashion model Ulrika, and soon the charming baby Emily was born. However, despite the birth of his daughter, Garou did not want to tie himself to Hymen. Moreover, information recently appeared in the Canadian press that his family life had gone wrong, and Pierre chose to part with his beloved.

Obviously, the reason for the separation was the star’s too busy work schedule. It is known that Garou’s manager for many years has been the husband of the magnificent Celine Dion, Rene Angelil, who achieves truly fantastic contracts for his protégé. Tours in France, Canada, the USA, Poland, work on a new album, offers from leading directors of the world (journalists with amazing unanimity call Garou the new Gerard Depardieu) - alas, the former modest Canadian boy from Sherbrooke has absolutely no time left for his personal life. no strength. What is he really like, this blue-eyed handsome man with the enchanting voice of the hunchback from Notre Dame?

How do you feel on stage, how does your song come about?

It depends on the character, who is like a part of me. I play a small role in every song. Emotions arise that I have never experienced before. Every time, every night, when I sing the same song, something new appears in it.

What part of yourself are you tapping into when you perform "Belle"?

What a question! I guess I’m turning to my memory, feeling a little nostalgic. This song became my talisman.

When you played Quasimodo, was it difficult for you to play the role of an ugly hunchback, rejected by a woman, with such magnificent appearance?

Thanks for the compliment. But I never considered myself handsome. Although physical data is really very important for show business. If you want to achieve something, then you simply have to be beautiful. Playing Quasimodo gave me an incredible chance to step outside the norm.

When you played this character, did you really feel like a hunchback?

I completely got into character. I really cried at the end. And it always surprised me. I seemed to withdraw into myself, into my pain, and when they began to mock Quasimodo, it simply unsettled me.

But in order to play pain, you must first experience it...

A lot has happened in my life too. But on stage this happened, rather, on an unconscious level. I don't even know where my feelings came from. Sometimes they were difficult to deal with. Quasimodo always experienced the same feeling, but Garou changed...

What songs are especially dear to you?

When I sang “God, how unfair the world is” (Quasimodo’s aria), I remembered my past, my own failures in love, the people dear to me whom I had lost. And I always dedicate the song “Ask the Sun” (album “Lonely”) to the same person.

Is your heart broken now too?

I remember this person with pain; she is no longer with us. And every time I part with someone, I also carry pain into my heart and cry...

Because you're in pain?

Yes, it hurts. There is no such thing as time in a relationship. Even if they are over, I continue to love the person I broke up with. Maybe I just imagine a perfect relationship, and when it ends in a breakup, all that's left is sadness.

How much do your songs reflect your inner self?

The more I speak in front of people, the more it seems to me that they feel the same way as I do. You begin to understand who these songs were created for. Everyone reacts differently. As for me, I'm trying to find myself, maybe free myself from my shyness, share my feelings with others.

Aren't you afraid to have such power? You can keep fifteen thousand people on edge at the same time.

I don't like it when it's considered power. Of course, when an actor is constantly called a superstar, he begins to think about "power" over people. It seems that everyone loves you, that you are the center of the world. But for me, I think that people only think about me when I'm on stage. Spectators come to see me. Maybe they will like my performance, and even really like it, but that’s where it all ends.

What are your memories of childhood and youth?

First guitar. It was given to me when I was three years old. My first note on the trumpet. My friends. I have always been surrounded by friends, although I preferred and still prefer loneliness. I felt lonely in any company...

Your debut album is called "Lonely" ("Seul"). Was this an attempt to distance himself from the Garou we saw at Notre Dame?

No, I would consider this name as a new step. While working on the role of Quasimodo, I tried to convey the complete loneliness of my character, which is why he has so many solo parts. It was Quasimodo’s loneliness that gave me the strength to stand in front of an audience of thousands.

Seven of the fourteen songs on the album were written by Luc Plamondon, creator of Notre Dame.

Yes, Luke became a spiritual father to me. When he discovered me, I was singing in a small group in one of the bars. Well, my hairstyle was then: tousled hair. And I didn’t behave in the best way, I did all sorts of stupid things. And he saw in me Quasimodo, an unhappy, lonely, quiet man. Thanks to him, I discovered a completely different personality in myself. It turned out that Quasimodo had always lived inside me.

A few years ago you admitted that you didn’t choose your profession because you wanted to become a star. Is this still the case?

Now it’s like I’m living in a fairy tale and I don’t want to lose this feeling for anything in the world. But I didn’t forget my old dreams, I didn’t forget why I wanted to become a singer so much. In my hometown (a creepy little place, by the way), I grew up listening to my father's guitar. He played old rock and roll tunes and people smiled around him. At the age of 19, when I suddenly found myself on stage in a provincial bar and saw people smiling at me, I realized that this place belonged to me by right.

And have you broken many girls’ hearts with your charming voice?

I didn't become a singer to win hearts. When, after the concert, the girls waiting at the exit begin to shout that I am the most beautiful person in the world, I understand that their words must be “divided by ten.” To be honest, for a long time I was very shy about girls, I had huge complexes about my own appearance. And although I am terribly attracted to women, I just can’t understand what exactly they see in me.

Why Garou?

This nickname stuck to me at the age of thirteen. My friends called me that because I was always unsociable (from the word "loup-garou" - beech, unsociable person, werewolf). Yes, I am still like that. I like to wander around Paris at night. I even often sing when there is a full moon in the sky!

What drink do you prefer?

Scotch. This is the first alcoholic drink that I ever tasted when I was in a bar. Over the years, I can call myself a true scotch connoisseur. I like to taste it, enjoy its aroma. I don't drink wine or beer often, but scotch is very stimulating for me.

What about cigars?

Yes, a great cigar along with a bottle of your favorite drink... You know, in my youth I tried a lot of things. I still smoke a pipe sometimes, but I prefer cigars. In my apartment there is a separate smoking room where I keep my treasures.

What are your favorite dishes?

When I first arrived in Paris, I ate basically whatever God laid down for my soul. However, fast food outlets in the French capital have not fared well. So I changed my habits. Now I order sushi more often. However, it all depends on my schedule. Sometimes you have to have dinner at one in the morning, after the performance, in a hurry. But, I admit, I love to eat well, and I prefer food with a good dose of spice. So the choice is obvious: Indian cuisine. But I also like Thai food, and, of course, sushi.

So how does the French superstar manage in the kitchen?

No way. I like to clean the apartment myself, even wash the dishes, but I’m not much of a cook... It seems like I have both left hands. In general, without a woman I feel completely helpless.

Traveling, living in hotels, does that suit you?

Yes. I'm a workaholic. For a long time, I had no idea what discipline was until I found my own way to become disciplined. I only feel really good when I start singing. In France, I take full responsibility for contracts. I respond to proposals from various agencies, study scripts, new proposals. So you have to be very disciplined. During the day I am a real business person, but in the evening comes my favorite time - time for song. And at night I go to another party.

But when do you sleep in this case?

I sleep quite little. I love a noisy, hectic life. Although sometimes an irresistible need suddenly arises to escape somewhere, to find oneself. Then I really disappear, I am not there for anyone.

What is your attitude towards material well-being?

To be honest, I don't have much respect for money. I started working at age fifteen and squandered my entire salary playing poker. I have never made a single decision related to business. Never.

So you are a player?

Oh yeah. When we toured with the musical "Notre Dame de Paris" and stopped in some city where there was a casino, then after the performance you could certainly find me there. I play cards, but I also like to play with life itself. However, when I started a family, I hired a person who is now in charge of my finances. Family is very important to me, even though my name is a werewolf Garou.

Are you a faithful person?

Loyalty? Such a word simply does not exist in my vocabulary, I forgot it. However, in my heart there lives another word that is very dear to me: “devotion.” If loyalty means family chains, then this is not for me, I am a free person. But when I meet a woman who I can truly love, she will become the most important person in the world to me, and I will always be devoted to her.

Are you 1 meter 90 centimeters tall?

Yes its true. But I'm not the only one in the world. Daniel Lavoie (performer of the role of Frollo in the musical "Notre Dame"), for example, is also far from short.

You have the image of a “happy child”: always joyful, always smiling, is this true?

(After much thought) Uh-huh, actually, yes. I have quite positive attitudes in life.

Are you naive?

Without a doubt. Although now I have learned to understand the essence of some things. But this did not make me cynical.

Your repertoire ranges from classic French chanson to hard rock. Isn’t it difficult to navigate all this variety of genres?

I was a punk back in the day. And a heavy metalhead. He also performed new wave music. In general, we can say that I have been looking for myself in this life for a long time.

You have a little daughter. What does fatherhood mean to you?

When I saw her being born, I felt such great love. I couldn't believe that such a strong feeling could exist. Often I just look at Emily, talk to her, promise that we will live the most beautiful moments of our lives together. She can't understand anything yet, but... When you're at the height of fame, it's very difficult to stay sane. Only Emily helps me stay away from all the temptations of this world. For me, the light that gives meaning to my life is her huge blue eyes.

How do you balance your career and being a father?

You just need to understand what is the highest priority for you in life. In order to fulfill my new role as a father well, I must find time for my family. I have already built a house near my hometown in Canada where we spend the summer months. And when I return to Paris, Ulrika and Emily go with me. When you're famous, it's hard to keep your privacy intact, but I try. No one will come close to Emily.

Would you like to formalize your relationship?

Official relations are the birth of Emily. A child binds spouses together much more powerfully than any other document.

What are you worried about right now?

My personal life is a mess. Family is very important to me. I never wanted to be a superstar. Of course, I am proud that Garou's career is developing so rapidly, but I would like to remain a normal person. Not a star.

Does anyone else call you by your real name Pierre?

Only a few people: my banker, my mother and my sister. But my father prefers to simply call me son.

So your real name has finally faded into obscurity?

For me, Pierre Garand still exists. Of course, he was a little crushed by Garou, although this nickname was not originally an artistic pseudonym.

When you started working in the musical Notre Dame de Paris, did you expect to become such an international star?

No, I didn't expect it at all. I’m still surprised how Luke was able to see Quasimodo in me.

Where do you live now?

In my apartment in Paris and my house in Canada. I think I'll soon move to New York to work on my first English-language album.

Will we see you in the movies?

Maybe, but not in a blockbuster. I would like to play in some good low budget film

Inessa Haider

The charming blue-eyed Canadian, who speaks the “language of love” - French, the owner of a beautiful voice with an unforgettable hoarse timbre, received worldwide recognition after playing the role of Quasimodo in the famous musical “Notre-Dame de Paris”. Great controversy among the many millions of fans of Pierre Garand (this is the singer's real name) is caused by his origin. Probably the reason for this lies in the fact that Garou himself gives rather contradictory and evasive answers to this question in different interviews.

The role of Quasimodo from the musical Notre-Dame de Paris brought Garou worldwide fame and recognition.

According to some sources, Pierre Garand comes from a family of ethnic Armenians and as a child his grandmother taught the boy the Armenian language. Garou was born in 1972 in Quebec, Canada. He was very musical since childhood and at the age of three he picked up a guitar for the first time. Studying at school was quite easy for him, as was mastering musical instruments (piano, trumpet, organ). While still in school, he played in a musical group that covered the famous hits of the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, organizing small concerts.

Garou, Daniel and Patrick - Belle.

After returning from the army, Garou continues to make music, writes songs and sings in the evenings at a local pub in Quebec. It is unknown how the future fate of the talented musician would have developed if Luc Plamondon had not accidentally noticed him at one of these performances, who at that moment was just recruiting the cast for the new musical “Notre Dame Cathedral.” Unexpectedly, Garou gets the role, which he copes with brilliantly, and after the release of the musical, he soars to the pinnacle of fame with lightning speed. The song “Belle” has been at the top of the charts for a record-breaking time, and the musical itself has been winning honorary awards and attracting full houses for two years.

In 2009, Garou, along with actress Ingrid Mareschi, starred in Eric Kivanyan’s film “The Return of Love.”

Since 1999, Garou began a solo career, and in this he was helped by Rene Angelil (husband of singer Celine Dion). The first album “Loner” sells a huge number of copies. The second album already goes platinum in France and gold in Canada, and after the release of the English-language album in 2008, Garou becomes known throughout the world.

In 2009, Garou came to Yerevan as part of a world tour. The audience received the singer very warmly, and he was pleasantly surprised by his popularity in Armenia. After the concert, the musician held a press conference with journalists at the French Embassy. He talked about his creative plans, that he really liked the country, its culture and historical monuments. In particular, he visited the historical museum and temple “Khor Virap”.

Garou and Celine Dion - Sous Le Vent.

2012 was a very successful year for the singer; he managed to bring many creative ideas to life. At the end of September, Garou's new album “Rhythm and Blues” was released, for which he received a platinum disc, which was solemnly presented to him after a concert at the Casino de Paris. The seventh album was recorded by Garou at Universal Studios, with which he recently signed a contract. Garou participated as a mentor in the popular program “The Voice” (the Russian-language analogue of this program “The Voice”, now shown on Russian television) and will likely continue to participate in the acclaimed program in the coming year. The Canadian “werewolf” (this is how the pseudonym “Garou” stands for) continues to conquer the world with his talent.