Interview 2025

In October-November 2025 Richard Groulx and Norman Groulx answered several questions of the American fan from Florida, Cameron. Below is the interview:

1) What local bands do you have ties with, currently and/or former?

Richard: Michel Berger Story, Groove Project Trio, Au Fil Du Jazz, Sloane Square Band

Norman: Hello Cameron, from sunny Florida. This is Norm speaking. I know you've got a couple of questions you wanted to ask me, so hey… let's get on with it! I used to have a band called New York Lights. We played a lot of clubs back in the early days, and then after that we changed and got onto the rock scene and started doing Genesis, Queen, and all these other bands. But, you know, ended up doing all kinds of things, such as commercials and eventually Starmania, right? So the kind of band thing fell behind. But I did a lot of work with a lot of people, just writing songs and trying to do demos and stuff like that. So I hope that answered your question.

2) How has your workflow, or approach to music, changed over the years?

Richard: Stress level, when on stage, has considerably diminished over the years and I find myself much more comfortable communicating with the public.

Norman: Well, the question about the workflow, that's a good one. It used to flow like Niagara Falls, but you know...lately, after all that, it's kind of slowing down. It's a slow stream, basically. But, you know, I'm going over all my old demos that I did with friends of mine...a good friend, Robby Wales, who is a good guitarist and songwriter. So, I'm getting into that and singing. I might be working on some of those songs. And, maybe put them up there on YouTube, so stay tuned.

3) Are there any specific motivations that drive you when creating music?

Richard: The need to communicate and to connect with others.

Norman: My motivations for writing music… Most of it comes from breaking up with someone, relationships. So my songs mostly are based on relationships and the lack of love. They're kind of like songs to make you cry. (laughs)

4) Aside from it being a job and a way to survive, what have you found most rewarding about the voice work you've done?

Richard: Discovering myself and communicating with others.

Norman: I guess what's more rewarding about the stuff I've done in my life, probably the happiness it gives to people. Starmania and all those cartoons and things I did for the kids. So it kind of makes people happy. I didn't make a lot of money in music, eh? But it wasn't a money thing for me. I always loved music and I like singing, so that's about it. (laughs)

5) Out of all the songs you've written, which song has the most interesting origin story for you?

Richard: The songs “My Father” and “Hiroshima”: for "My father", it just reminded me of the fantastic relationship I had with him. He died at a very young age: he was 53 yrs old.

Norman: The question about the origin of the music… Well, I guess, most of the stuff that people have never heard, because I never had a chance to put any of it on record. You know, English speaking in a Quebec province, sometimes it was very hard in the younger days to get those songs on to, a record company and, and get 'em out there. It's unfortunate, but I was sort of born in the wrong place, I guess.

6) Not counting any you were involved with professionally, what is your favorite anime?

Richard:What's an anime?

Cameron: To clarify this question, I am referring to Japanese animation ('anime' is the shorthand term for it). In your case you may have seen shows like Speed Racer, Gigantor and Astro Boy growing up...in my case, I grew up with Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho and shows like that.

Richard: I really don't know the subject very well and I have never been a big fan. I don"t know if BALI is considered an anime but I wrote the English lyrics for the series and sang them also. You can the series on YouTube. There is the theme song at the opening and a different song within the episode.

Norman: Well, seeing my age is you know, I'm not that young. So what I used to listen to, and loved to watch is, things like Jonny Quest, Mr. Magoo, Flintstones, those kinds of things. We didn't have too many Japanese-type cartoons to watch, actually. So, even Popeye. And I ate a lot of spinach. That's why I'm so strong today. Just kidding!

7) If you could collaborate with one artist, past or present, to create the 'song of the century,' who would you want to team up with and why?

Richard: Peter Gabriel because I love what he does.

Norman: (skips the question)

8) Having performed in different places over the years, have you noticed any difference in how a crowd in one place reacts compared to another?

Richard: I haven't really noticed much difference in the way an audience expresses appreciation. You can sense it when they like or dislike what they see and hear.

Cameron: Which place, aside from Quebec, has the best crowds?

Richard: France and Russia

Norman: As far as the reaction from people from different places, I would say that… well, I've got a little story for you if you want. We did Starmania in many, many places, right? Most of it was done in of course, France. But just to see how the fans react, where people react is that, when we'd come out of the door, the Artist Entry, you'd have maybe 25 to 40 people there just waiting for you for autographs. Here in Montreal, we did Starmania. We're walking out the door, and guess how many people were there? Two, and they were French people from France, so...(laughs) Just to explain that in France it's different. They really think you're a star, you know what I mean? They treat you like one. So, yeah, they're ready to, take a fringe off your jacket sometimes. So, that's it. (laughs)

9) Which artists are you listening to for inspiration nowadays?

Richard: Peter Gabriel and numerous jazz musicians.

Norman: Well, for inspiration, lately I'm listening to Journey and, the singer Steve Perry, who I think is probably the greatest singer in rock and roll so...you should give a listen to that guy. He can really sing and I like that band.

10) If you knew for a fact that God would call you home in three days' time, what would you do as your final gestures of kindness before leaving Earth?

Richard: Tell the people that I am close to that I love them.

Norman: What would I do, what would I do, what would I do? Uh, geez, I guess I'd give everything away that I have to someone who needs it. And, um, honestly, if I had three days left, I would say, probably, that I'm going home, you know? Going back...going back home. (singing) I'm going back home...to my Lord God. Going back home...to my Lord God. And it won't be long, I'll be back home. (song ends) Hope you liked that one!

Discography

Albums

Singles

Videos

Singing together

Youtube playlist