‘He will become immortal’: National tribute to the life and work of musician Serge Fiori

"His music in Harmonium was so important to me in my childhood," said a Montrealer and fan of rock icon Serge Fiori's music as she waited in line to attend the national tribute held in honour of the Quebec star. Corinne Boyer reports.

By The Canadian Press and CityNews

Posted July 15, 2025 8:42 am.

Last Updated July 15, 2025 9:41 pm.

Quebec bid a final farewell to Serge Fiori on Tuesday with a national tribute ceremony at Place des Arts in Montreal.

Quebec artists, politicians from all levels of government, and thousands of members of the public came out to show their respect for a man whom Premier François Legault said left a profound legacy on the province.

“Many Quebecers, not just people my age, know the songs by heart, and I think that will stand the test of time, that he will become immortal,” Legault said.

Helene Levesque, partner of Serge Fiori and his friend and manager Serge Grimaux, remove his urn and guitar at the end of the national tribute ceremony for Quebec singer and founding member of the band Harmonium, Serge Fiori in Montreal on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

*Members of Harmonium perform during a national tribute ceremony for Quebec singer and founding member of the band, Serge Fiori in Montreal on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes*

“I had the chance to meet him a couple of times in my life and I was never disappointed,” added actor and comedian Louis-José Houde. “And I think his music ages very well and I think every listen brings a new perspective, new sounds you haven’t heard.”

Fiori, the co-founder of Harmonium, died on June 24 at the age of 73. The Quebec flag overlooking the National Assembly was lowered to half-mast to mark the national mourning.

The singer-songwriter left his mark on Quebec’s musical world during the legendary progressive band’s years of activity and beyond, both as a duo with Richard Séguin and through solo projects.

Before the ceremony, Premier Legault presented the Order of Quebec posthumously to Fiori’s wife and his manager.

Fiori’s family had previously accepted the Quebec government’s offer to help organize his funeral

Quebec Premier Francois Legault, and his spouse Isabelle Blais, present the Order of Quebec posthumously to family of Serge Fiori from left to right family friend Marie-Claire Sauve, spouse Helene Levesque, and friend and manager Serge Grimaux, prior to a national tribute ceremony for Quebec singer and founding member of the band Harmonium, Serge Fiori in Montreal on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Fiori was born on March 4, 1952, in Montreal’s Little Italy neighbourhood. Harmonium released three albums: “Harmonium” in 1974, known for major hits like “Pour un instant” and “Un musiciens parmi tant d’autres,” followed by “Si on avait besoin d’une cinquième saison” in 1975 and “L’Heptade” in 1976.

“Was one of the only progressive rock bands, so it’s a monument for Quebec I would say, so it’s really nice to be here,” said one of the ceremony attendees.

“His music in Harmonium was so important to me in my childhood. My dad made me discover it and I thought it was really important to come here with him today to have this family moment,” added another.

“Serge Fiori is my youth. It’s all the music that used to play on CHOM all the time, it used to be all over the airwaves,” said a third attendee. “It’s pure Quebecois, but also Francophones and Anglophones united for this and I wouldn’t have gone any other way to be here today. I had to be here.”