Quebec bids farewell to singer Serge Fiori during national funeral in Montreal

By Canadian Press on July 15, 2025.

MONTREAL — Thousands of people gathered at Montreal’s Place des Arts on Tuesday for the national funeral of legendary singer-songwriter Serge Fiori.

Fiori, the co-founder of the influential French-Canadian rock band Harmonium, died on June 24 at age 73.

His family accepted the Quebec government’s offer to help organize his funeral, which took the form of a musical celebration at Montreal’s premier arts venue.

Politicians, performers and the public packed Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in downtown Montreal for a musical final bow that was broadcast live on Radio-Canada and the LCN network.

Fiori left his mark on Quebec’s musical world with Harmonium and beyond, including as a duo with musician Richard Séguin and through solo projects.

Premier François Legault, who took part in the event, recalled listening to Harmonium’s first album in 1974 as a 16-year-old, saying Fiori “made our lives more beautiful.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2025.

The Canadian Press