It is with profound sorrow that SOCAN learned of the passing of the legendary Serge Fiori, at the age of 73, as the people of Québec came together in joy to celebrate the 2025 edition of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, the province’s national holiday, through song. Without him and his legendary band Harmonium, Québec’s music would not be what it is today and now, a whole nation is only beginning to feel the vast emptiness his passing leaves at the heart of its identity.
SOCAN joins its members in offering heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones, and all those who had the privilege of knowing this visionary singer-songwriter who forever changed the face of Québec culture.
It was his friend and manager of 36 years, Serge Grimaux, who officially shared the sad news in a press release: “It is with immense sorrow that we inform you that, in the early hours of this Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Serge Fiori passed away after a long illness. Serge left this world as he lived—wearing that legendary smile that lit up everyone who knew him, everyone to whom he brought immense joy, and the nation he called his own, held forever in his heart and in his boundless love for it. He leaves behind his family, his friends, and all those in whom the songs he wrote and the harmonies he created will resonate forever.”
Tributes from his peers quickly flooded social media:
Louis-Jean Cormier: “Come on, Pops! You’re leaving like that? On Saint-Jean? We texted just three days ago. I sang one of your songs last night. Ouch. You always had a sense of theatre — right to the end. This hurts. I can still hear your bursts of laughter. Don’t go too far yet; we still need you to help us carve out a little corner of the world that makes sense. Thanks again for making room for me in your heart — and in your music. I love you. Your spiritual son.”
Catherine Major: “It was 2015. We’d just shared a beautiful moment with La Presse at Café Cherrier. That year, Marie-Pierre Arthur, Antoine Gratton, Alexandre Désilets and I were given the honour of creating a show that was nothing short of transcendent… quite possibly the most transcendent of my life. Singing Fiori’s songs alongside those extraordinary musicians, lifted by a blazing band — it felt like a glorious celebration every night, a sacred gathering around Serge Fiori’s musical genius. I had chills, night after night. His music helped shape my own artistic path. These songs are timeless treasures that will never fade. My deepest sympathies to his family and all those who held him close.”
Patrick Norman: “It is with great sadness that I’ve just learned of Serge Fiori’s passing. The last time we saw each other, Serge, we promised we’d collaborate on a musical project. You left too soon — before we had the chance to make that shared dream a reality. Thank you, Serge, for everything you gave to Québec music. Your songs will forever be etched in the hearts of les Québecois. My sincere condolences to Serge’s family, friends, and to everyone in Québec who loved him so deeply.”
Nelson Minville: “Thank you, Serge Fiori! You’re one of the voices that gave us a love for Québec.”
Bruno Pelletier: “Hey Serge Fiori — It’s because of you that I picked up the guitar after playing drums, and that I wanted to start writing in French as a teenager… One of the most powerful moments of true joy and emotion in my life was sharing the stage with you — and for you — during Histoires de mes chansons in 2021. Thank you so much for everything. Your songs will keep living on in all of us. Rest in peace, Serge Fiori.”
Luc De Larochellière: “Serge Fiori. An immense thank you. And an immense void. My sympathies to his family, his loved ones, and the many who loved him. XX”
Mononc’ Serge: “Serge Fiori had, in his own words, Québec tattooed on his heart. That he passed away on June 24 felt like fake news — but it’s sadly not. It’s a shock, to say the least. I listened to Fiori a lot in my younger years, and I still do, regularly. Even if his influence doesn’t come through in my songs, his music, his voice and his sensitivity stayed with me and shaped me deeply. So sad.”
Michel Rivard: “Serge… too soon, my friend, way too soon…”
Mélissa Bédard: “On this national holiday, our sky darkens a little more… The great Serge Fiori has left us. Thank you, Serge — for the wild conversations, your music, your poetry and your light. I grew up with parents who listened to Harmonium… it’s part of us, part of our DNA. Look out, Serge — a wave of love is coming your way. It’s too hot down here, and baby: all of Québec is mourning a giant. We brought someone into this world… and we’ll never stop listening to you.”
In 2019, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame announced the induction of the members of the legendary band Harmonium — Serge Fiori, Michel Normandeau, Serge Locat, and Louis Valois — during the 30th edition of the SOCAN Gala. At the time, the Hall of Fame published a piece highlighting the pivotal moments in Harmonium’s journey. We’re reproducing it here:
One of Québec’s leading acts of the 1970s, the folk-rock band Harmonium bridged Canada’s two solitudes by achieving commercial and artistic success in French and English Canada alike. Harmonium’s founders Serge Fiori, Michel Normandeau, and Louis Valois began performing as a trio in Montréal in 1973, seeking to carve a niche between the intimacy of the chansonniers and the bolder sounds of Franco-American rock. Little did they know that their innovative blend of folk, rock, and jazz would rapidly take Harmonium all the way to the top.
Harmonium recorded their self-titled debut album in 1974. This first effort comprised songs written by Fiori or co-written with Normandeau; this highly successful writing partnership was to endure throughout the group’s lifespan. In mere months the Harmonium album sold 100,000 copies and topped the Québec charts. Harmonium rapidly went from playing Montréal clubs, campuses, and schools — both French and English — to selling out Place des Arts and playing to packed outdoor crowds of over 300,000 fans in Québec. They also performed, in French, throughout English Canada, to delighted audiences, including those in Toronto (at Massey Hall) and Vancouver.
Their second album, Si on avait besoin d’une cinquième saison, was released in 1975. This JUNO-nominated album was later named by Rolling Stone as one of the top progressive rock albums of all time.
Harmonium’s final studio album — and its first Gold-certified one — the hypnotic and sophisticated double LP L’Heptade, was launched in 1976. Noteworthy for its masterful blending of numerous genres — interspersed with classical orchestral interludes written by Neil Chotem — L’Heptade showcased songwriting contributions from Fiori, Normandeau, Locat, and Valois. During that period, the band was nominated for Group of the Year at the JUNO Awards and toured in the U.K. and across Europe with Supertramp, later heading to California to promote Québec music and culture. In 1980, Harmonium released its only live album, simply titled Harmonium en tournée. Twenty-six years later, a newly mixed and remastered version of their final album, Heptade XL, was warmly received and reached number three on Billboard’s Canadian Albums chart.
Harmonium achieved legendary status in Québec and left an impact that far surpassed its three albums. L’Heptade has since been certified quadruple Platinum, while Harmonium earned double Platinum status, and Les cinq saisons was certified Platinum. The band has received numerous SOCAN Classic Awards and an honorary Félix, and its songs have been covered by some of the biggest names in music, both from Québec and beyond, including Les Respectables, Sylvain Cossette, Eleanor McCain, Boom Desjardins, Jorane, and Lawrence Gowan. There’s no doubt that Harmonium’s music will continue to transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries for generations to come.