The Groulx brothers and Starmania
Richard and Norman Groulx are Canadian singers, musical theatre actors and voice actors, known for their work in the Canadian-French rock opera Starmania.
Starmania (1989)
Richard and Norman Groulx are Canadian singers, musical theatre actors and voice actors, known for their work in the Canadian-French rock opera Starmania.
Starmania (1989)
Perfectly bilingual artist (French-English), Richard Groulx studied singing, dance, theater and comedy at "Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity" in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Richard Groulx's first role in the musical comedies was the role of Berger in the French version of the musical Hair in Monreal, 1970.
He participated in 4 different priductions of Starmania. He played a Black Star in Starmania Made in Quebec, 1980 and then Zero Janvier in Starmania in Montreal, 1986 (directed by Claude Girard and produced by Société de La Place Des Arts and Productions Luc Phaneuf), in Paris and the tour from 1987 till 1990 (directed by Michel Berger and produced by Productions Gilbert Coullier) and, finally, in Paris from 1997 till 1999 (directed by Lewis Furey and produced by Productions Gilbert Coullier).
Richard Groulx also played Mr Peachum in L'Opéra de quat'sous in Banff, Alberta in 1981 (directed by Richard Williams and produced by Banff Festival of the Arts); Father André in "La vie du frère André en chanson" in 1984 (produced by Marcel Lefebvre and Paul Baillargeon), Domagaya in Cartier, Une Fantaisie Radiophonique in Montreal in 1992 (produced by Productions Radio Canada and Robert Charlebois); Duke Bedford in Jeanne La Pucelle in Montréal, 1996 -1997 (directed by Martin Charnin and produced by Snapshot and Guy Cloutier); father Laureant in Romeo and Juliette in Montreal, 2002 (directed by Jean Grand-Maître and produced by Productions Libretto, Charles F. Joron); Simon Atlan in Les Enfants du Soleil in Marseille and Paris in 2004 -2005 (directed by Alexandre Arcady and produced by NDP Projet, Charles Talar); and the voice of Nelligan in Nelligan – Saguenay-Lac Saint Jean in 2013 (directed by Pierre Doré).
In 1984, during the papal visit to the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Richard was invited to perform the song "Croire" in front of Pope John Paul II and 65,000 people. He then shared the poster with Celine Dion.
In 1990, he released a duet album with his brother Norman entitled GROULX. The song “Sun City” reached the top positions on the charts. In 1995 Richard Groulx recorded "Macarena" for the Canadian duet Los Del Mar. This single released by Los Del Mar was certified Gold in Canada the same year.
Between 1980 and 2000, he sang more than 3000 commercials for television and radio. He was a singer for children's television series: Bali, Arthur, Caillou and Ouimzie at Cinar, Montreal.
Richard Groulx released a new single called "J'avais 20 ans" in 2022 and a song "Driving Alone" (featuring Max Dalma) in Max Dalma's album Trying to Find (2023). The new album in the English language called Thoughts was released in June 2024.
Recognized as a performer of great talent, he has worked sometimes on stage, sometimes in the studio alongside some of the big names in French-speaking song such as Nicole Croisille, Michel Berger, Maurane, Marc Lavoine, Roch Voisine, Johnny Hallyday, Robert Charlebois, Claude Dubois, Ginette Reno, Bruno Pelletier, Daniel Lavoie, Lewis Furey and Carole Laure.
Richard Groulx resides in France where he continues his musical career. Among other projects, he participates in Michel Berger Story, Le Choeur Ensemble and is the lead singer of Sloane Square Band : see the FTF-Music show-case You can listen to the presentation about the new album Thoughts here .
A fully bilingual artist (French-English), Norman Groulx started music at the age of 15 and never dreamt of any other profession. He toured with various groups (such as New York Lites, Lites, or the Eye) as a vocalist and a drummer. In 1981 he participated in the musical comedy Vous Avez Dû Mentir Aussi by Lewis Furey and Carole Laure.
Norman Groulx triumphed in the role of Johnny Rockfort in the Quebec production of Starmania in 1986 and then reprised this role in Paris in 1988, when Michel Berger and Luc Plamondon staged it for the second time in Paris. Norman Groulx worked in Starmania in the production of Mogador Theatre, between 1995 and 1999.
In 1990, he released a duet album with his brother Richard entitled GROULX. The song “Sun City” reached the second positions in the Radio-Activité chart. He also released a solo album in the English language called Blue Like an Orange in 1998. Later on, he performed country music in the show Country 2000 together with Julie Crochetière, Guy Favreau, and Carole Fleury.
Norman Groulx collaborated with the composer Franck Callegari in the project C&G, which resulted in several songs including a tribute to Michel Berger “You Are Not Alone”. This song was started in 1994, and finally saw the light in 2008.
Norman Groulx was a singer and voice actor for children movies Spookley the Square Pumpkin (2004), Caillou's Holiday Movie (2003), David Copperfield (1993) as well as children's television series: Arthur, Caillou, David Copperfield, David the Gnome, Kit & Kaboodle, Postcards from Buster and others at Cinar, Montreal. He was also a lyricist and performer for movie soundtracks (“Offside” in Bon Cop Bad Cop, 2006).
Norman Groulx, as well as his brother, has worked with such francophone stars like Michel Berger, Maurane, Robert Charlebois, Edith Butler, Marie Denise Pelletier, Ginette Reno, Roch Voisine, Lewis Furey and Carole Laure.
Norman Groulx resides in Quebec.
Birthday month: February for Norman, June for Richard
Place of birth: Sherbrooke for Norman, Montreal for Richard
They had a happy childhood with parents who always encouraged everything, both in music and in sports.
Childhood dreams: Norman wanted to become an archaeologist or marine biologist and Richard wanted to make films.
Norman started music around the age of 15 years old and did not try any other profession. Richard was a psychoeducator with young delinquents for three years.
Favorite sports: Norman - windsurfing and alpine skiing, watching hockey on TV; Richard - sailing, windsurfing, alpine skiing and shooting sport
Favorite animals: Norman - the dolphin and the dog. Richard - the whale and the dog (he also had an iguana for three years)
Tree, flower and gem: Norman - the fir tree, the red rose and turquoise; Richard - maple, bird of paradise and emerald
Favorite colors: Norman - black and white; Richard - the faded blue (like jeans) and green
Most pleasant memory: Norman - the European tour they did with Starmania in 1988; Richard - his crossing of the Atlantic by sailboat in 1975
Social issues: both are very concerned about the environment.
Philosophy: Norman - “You have to be generous and give as much love as possible". Richard - "You have to take it one day at a time".
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