Roch Voisine

Joseph Armand Roch Voisine, O.C. (born March 26, 1963 in Edmundston, New Brunswick) is an Acadian-Québécois singer-songwriter, actor, and radio and TV host who lives in Montreal, Quebec, when he is not performing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He writes and performs material in both English and French. He won the Juno Award for Male Vocalist of the Year in 1994. In 1997 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Childhood and family

Roch Voisine was born in Edmundston, New Brunswick on March 26 1963, but grew up in Saint Basile. His parents are Réal Voisine, mayor of Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Québec and a former English teacher, and Zélande Robichaud, a former nurse. He is the oldest of three children: his brother, Marc, was born in 1965, and his sister, Janice, was born in 1966. Roch lived with his paternal grandparents, Maurille and Dorina Racine Voisine, from age four, when his parents divorced, until he was eight, when he went to live with his father. Roch considers these grandparents very influential on him, even as an adult. Roch moved to Notre-Dame-du-Lac when he was 12. He aspired to be a professional hockey player until he was severely injured playing baseball in 1981.He attended the University of Ottawa and graduated in 1985 with a degree in physical therapy.

Voisine married Myriam Saint-Jean on 21 December 2002. Voisine and Saint-Jean have two sons: Killian (born 25 June 2004) and Alix-Élouan (born 9 January 2006). On October 15, 2007, Voisine's official website announced his and Myriam's separation, although it was amicable.

Music

Voisine's musical breakthrough came with his 1989 album "Hélène" which sold three million copies and became a major hit not only in Quebec but also in France, Belgium and Switzerland. In 1990, "Hélène" was awarded the Best Album prize at the Victoires de la Musique. After a highly successful European Tour in 1991, he was awarded France's Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

In 1993, Voisine had his biggest English-language hit to date with the single and album both entitled "I'll Always Be There", which he worked on with David Foster.

Over the years, he has continued alternating between recording both French and English-language albums. His French language work and concert tours have continued to enjoy success in Europe (especially France) and Quebec, while his English-language recordings are a frequent mainstay of Canadian Adult Contemporary radio. He also enjoys huge success internationally.

Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada gave him an honorary doctorate in music in May 2007.

Television

Voisine's first television appearance was hosting "Top Jeunesse" (1988), a Télévision Quatre Saisons variety show for teenagers. His dramatic roles include Dany Ross in the CBC television series "Lance et compte (He Shoots, He Scores)" (1989) and police detective Tom Bullik in the Canadian TV movie "Armen and Bullik" (1992).

Discography

* 1986 : "Sweet Songs"
* 1987 : "Roch Voisine"
* 1989 : "Hélène"
* 1990 : "Double" (English + French cd)
* 1990 : "On the Outside"
* 1992 : "Europe Tour"
* 1993 : "I'll Always Be There"
* 1994 : "Coup de Tête"
* 1994 : Song on the CD "Vatican Christmas", "The little drummer boy"
* 1996 : "Kissing Rain"
* 1997 : Song on the CD "Vision Quest" the song is called "River of love"
* 1999 : "Chaque Feu" (Canadian version with "Obia" and European version)
* 2000 : "L'Album de Noël" (French) and "Christmas is calling" (English)
* 2001 : "Roch Voisine"
* 2002 : "Higher"
* 2003 : "Je Te Serai Fidèle"
* 2004 : Song on the CD Jim Brickman "Greatest Hits", "My love is here"
* 2004 : Song on the CD "L'Acadie en chanson", "Poème de chair"
* 2005 : "Sauf Si L'Amour..."
* 2006 : Song on the CD "L'Or de nos vies" of the Fight Aids-association
* 2006 : Roch Voisine live (French + English CD) 2005-2006
* 2006 : Single "Le Chemin/Ne me laisse jamais"
* 2007 : "Best of"
* 2008 : "Americana"

External links

* [http://www.rochvoisine.com/ Official site]
*
* [http://lararoch.free.fr/Rochyear.htm Roch Voisine's archives]