Jean Leloup
|
Jean Leloup on the cover of La vallée des réputations |
Jean Leloup (born
May 14,
1961) is a
Quebecois singer-songwriter. Sometimes known as "John the Wolf" in Anglophone contexts, Jean Leloup's colourful
personality and unique musical style have made him a
star in the
francophone rock community.
Born
Jean Leclerc in
Sainte-Foy, Quebec, he grew up in
Togo and
Algeria where he was influenced by traditional
African rhythms. He appeared on the
Quebec music scene in the
1980s, making waves with his provocative
lyrics – in his
song "1990", he compares the high-tech actions of
Desert Storm to the
sexual activities of himself and his girlfriend. His
1990 album "L'amour est sans pitié" was a
hit outside of Quebec, licensed in
France, the
Netherlands,
Belgium and
Japan.
Jean Leloup is an important part of Quebec's transforming music scene. Since the
Quiet Revolution of the
1960s, Quebec has been developing its identity as a Francophone land as well as its individuality from
English speaking North America and other
French speaking nations. Leloup is a
Québécois hero for his contribution to the local art scene and the development of the musical culture. Leloup is the recipient of a
Felix Award, the Quebec version of a
Grammy Award.
At the end of
2003, Leloup "died" or, rather, Jean Leclerc retired the name. This was, in fact, another piece of elaborate fantasy staging, typical of the wild and eccentric artist. Little is know of what Jean Leclerc will do, now that his Leloup persona has been "silenced". In August 2005, he announced his temporary return to the music scene with a collaboration with a band called "
Porn Flakes". A first single named "Les Corneilles" has been heard on
Montreal's radio stations.
In the months preceding his return, he switched from his guitar to his fountain pen and wrote the philosophic novel
Noir destin que le mien (
Le Tour du monde en complet, was the original title) , published October 5, 2005 at the Leméac editions under the pen name "Massoud Al Rachid`".
He released a first single, titled "Mexico", from his forthcoming album (which will also be titled "Mexico" and which he will release in September 2006 under the name Jean Leclerc) in August 2006.
* Menteur,
1989* L'amour est sans pitié,
1990* Le dôme,
1996* Les fourmis (studio/live),
1998* La vallée des réputations,
2002* Exit (live),
2004* Je joue de la guitare - 1985-2003,
2005* Mexico (upcoming, September
2006)
*
List of Quebec musicians*
Music of Quebec*
Culture of Quebec*
Official Jean Leloup website*
Jean Leloup fansite*
Artists from Quebec
