Roch Voisine Celebrates 35th Anniversary of ‘Hélène’ with Montreal Concerts

Roch Voisine, the acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter, is hosting a special performance this week in Montreal to commemorate the 35th anniversary of his iconic album, “Hélène.” The artist will perform at Place des Arts on Thursday and Friday, offering fans an opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges throughout his extensive career.

Reflecting on his career, Voisine shared anecdotes from his early days, recalling his unexpected path into the music industry. In 1982, he was a hockey player for the Remparts de Québec when a teammate, Stéphane Lessard, asked for help writing a song. This collaboration led to the creation of “Hélène,” which played a significant role in Voisine’s future in music. In an interview, he emphasized his passion for songwriting, stating, “I became a pop star very quickly, but the reason I wanted to do this job was to write songs.”

Initially, Voisine tried his hand with English albums, but they did not receive the expected success. It was only after turning to French music with the album “Hélène” in 1989 that he found significant acclaim. He recalled playing his compositions in the stairwells of University of Ottawa‘s residences, which eventually led him to pursue music professionally.

Voisine also reminisced about memorable moments from his tours, such as a concert in Paris in front of the Eiffel Tower attended by 75,000 people and seen by 14 million on television. He was appreciative of Dominique Cantien at TF1 for believing in the project, sharing, “Every time I pass by the Eiffel Tower, I get chills and think of her.”

Despite some setbacks like a poorly attended show in Estrie due to heavy police presence, Voisine remains positive about his career. He has collaborated with notable figures, including Canadian producer David Foster, who he described as demanding but fair, particularly in producing “I'll Always Be There.”

Fans can look forward to a new opportunity to see Voisine perform “Hélène 35” live, with an additional concert date announced for April 18, 2025, at Place des Arts in Montreal. Tickets will be available starting Friday, October 11, with prices ranging from $72 to $94.50.

Voisine had recently overcome a health issue, involving an ear infection that required surgery due to complications affecting the area between his brain and sinuses. Despite this, the singer is back on stage, ready to delight audiences with his nostalgic and heartfelt performances.