Diane Dufresne

by Chris TrueA popular French-language performer with a career that stretched out to nearly five decades, Diane Dufresne studied voice and art in Paris before returning to Montreal (her birthplace, born September of 1944) to start her career in music. Her debut in Montreal, in 1969's Clemence Desrochers' Les Girls, led to a collaboration with composer Francois Cousineau and lyricist Luc Plamondon (the latter of which would last through most of her career). Dufresne released her debut album in 1972, followed with quick second in 1973. A successful debut single, "J'ai Rencontre l'Homme de Ma Vie," contrasted with a lukewarm reception of a performance opening for Julien Clerc in Paris the following year. Mixed reviews aside, Dufresne soldiered on, and her steady stream of mid-'70s full-length releases earned her a high place in the Quebec pop vocal scene. Her missteps in Paris were pushed aside with a triumphant return there in 1978 that would be captured on two separate albums. Along with her recording career, she also appeared on-stage in musicals and in television specials throughout the decade. She shifted focus in the '80s, staging shows and ending her collaboration with Plamondon. The '90s would find Dufresne returning to the stage as a solo performer, as well as a songwriter. She toured and performed in Canada and France, playing individual shows as well as making the odd festival appearance. She continued her work into the 21st century, winning many awards along the way.