Have you ever worked or performed with Michel Pagliaro? Can you share any memorable moments or stories from those experiences? Two Quebec icons with long and winding careers…
Dave Carmichael
Hello Dave,
Thank you for your email.
I was very happy to meet you in person and talk about the upcoming event at the old Presbyterian Church in Riverfield. I would like to give the readers a little background on this now-exquisite location.
I visited the church just recently after the restorations, and I have to say I was blown away! The amount of love, work, and precision that went into the rebuilding of this beautiful church is beyond anything I expected.
For two years or more, I would drive past that church at least two or three times a week on my way to work at Alpagadore. I watched the progression of a restoration that looked complex, and I was curious about who was involved and why the renovations were occurring.
A few years ago, the late Miller Carmichael decided to purchase the church. Mr. Carmichael wanted to create something with it for the community and soon after created a foundation that would restore the building. He also had a personal reason, because the Carmichael family has had a strong connection to the church for generations. His great grandparents helped build it in 1869, 156 years ago. Now, with the completion of the restorations, they will launch the new space with Michel Pagliaro who will perform there on the 1st of November. The show was announced a couple of weeks ago and already 100 tickets have been sold, with only 50 remaining.
To answer your question about Michel, he and I go way back. We met in the late sixties, I think around 1968.
Since the age of fifteen Michel had been part of several bands. It wasn’t until 1968 that he went on his own and recorded a song written by Claude Francois, titled Comme D’habitude. That song launched Michel’s solo career and became a gigantic hit, remaining on the charts for months here in Quebec.
In fact, my brother Billy worked with him for several years and even co-wrote one of his most popular English recordings, What the Hell I Got. Michel was a mentor for my brother, and Billy loved him unconditionally.
Michel and I have performed at many of the same festivals over the years, as well as on stage together at various venues back in the earlier days. We also recorded together in 1973.
I am sure Michel will give a great acoustic performance at the Church on November 1st. It’s so close to home, I’ll be there for sure!