Gregory Lemarchal (1983-2007),
who died at the age of 23 from a fatal disease
“To firmly promise something to yourself is the most difficult challenge. But the most beautiful thing is to accept this challenge. (Gregory Lemarchal)
“No matter what wounds and endless pain life causes us, the main thing is to keep going forward and fight.” (Gregory Lemarchal)
Years of life of Gregory Lemarchal:
Epitaph
"You are in the hands of an angel,
Maybe you will find peace in them.
From the song "Angel" by singer Lara Fabian, performed by her in memory of Gregory Lemarchal.
Biography
The biography of Gregory Lemarchal is the story of a courageous "French angel" who lost his last Stand April 30, 2007. But even after the death of Lemarchal, the memory of him and his talent continues to live, including in the name of the fight against cystic fibrosis, a disease that Gregory lost the fight against.
Gregory was born in the town of La Tronche. He was just a baby when doctors diagnosed him with severe cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that destroys the lungs, liver, intestines and pancreas. Nevertheless, as a child, Gregory was the same as other children - he went in for sports and even became the champion of France in acrobatic rock and roll! But with age, the disease made itself felt more and more - sometimes the boy had to sit at home for days on end under drips. Once he lost a bet to his father and he had to sing in karaoke - seeing how others react to his voice, for the first time in his life, Lemarchal realized that his parents' stories that he was talented were true.
For all of France, the singer Lemarchal was born on September 3, 2004, when he appeared on stage fourth season major musical reality show Star Academy. For four months the country followed the fate of this talented boy with bated breath, and finally, on December 22, 2004, the winner of the project became known. They became Lemarchal - "The Little Prince" french music as it was later christened. After the project ended, Gregory simply could not go into oblivion - his first single received honorary title platinum disc, and already in April 2005 Lemarchal's first album "Je deviens moi" ("I become myself") was released, which immediately took first place in the charts. Gregory went on a solo tour - performing in all the cities of France, as well as in Belgium and Switzerland, during which Gregory Lemarchal's live album was recorded. Everywhere he was met by crowds of fans, to whom the singer Lemarchal responded with no less love than they gave him.
Stardom not only did not turn Gregory's head, but gave him the strength to live and work on. But at the end of 2006, the disease again made itself felt, soon Gregory needed a lung transplant, hospitalization was required. On the evening of April 29, Gregory was placed in an artificial coma while waiting for a transplant, and on April 30, 2007, Gregory Lemarchal died, which became a tragic loss for the Gregory family, for France and for the Gregorians (as Gregory's fans call themselves) around the world. Gregory's cause of death was complications from cystic fibrosis. After the departure of the "French Angel" from life, two more posthumous albums by Gregory Lemarchal and several singles were released.
Lemarchal's funeral took place on May 3, 2007. The grave of Lemarchal, the little prince of France, is located in the cemetery of his hometown Sonnaz. On the day of the funeral, more than five thousand fans of Gregory arrived in Chambéry to honor the memory of Lemarchal.
Lemarchal's creative biography was very short - but in the three years that he performed, he managed to win the hearts of a huge number of people: with his amazing voice, sincerity, greatness of soul and, of course, the courage with which he fought the disease.
life line
May 13, 1983Date of birth of Gregory Lemarchal.
1995 Obtaining the title of champion of France in acrobatic rock and roll.
1999 Participation in television competitions Tremplin des étoiles
and programs of Graines de Stars.
2003 Participation in the musical "Adam and Eve".
2004 Participation in the fourth season of the Star Academy project, victory in the project.
April 18, 2005 The release of the first album by Gregory Lemarchal called "I become myself" (Je deviens moi).
January 2006 Receiving the "Discovery of the Year" award at the NRJ Music Awards.
May 2006 Tours in France, Belgium and Switzerland.
January 2007 Deterioration of health.
April 2, 2007 Hospitalization.
April 29, 2007 Placement in an artificial coma while waiting for a transplant.
April 30, 2007 Date of Lemarchal's death.
May 3, 2007 Funeral of Gregory Lemarchal.
Episodes of life
Gregory Lemarchal was very friendly with the singer Lara Fabian. She admitted that it seems to her that she and Gregory are spiritually very close. Because of their friendship, rumors arose that Lemarchal and Fabian - love story that wasn't true. After Lemarchal's death, a video with the alleged performance of the singer after the death of Lara Fabian's husband, Gregory Lemarchal, began to circulate on the Web, when fans began to sing to her from the On t'aime hall and Fabian burst into tears of happiness. The caption was erroneous, besides, this video is from 2002, recorded five years before Gregory's death.
According to the story of the doctor Gregory Lemarchal, the young man allegedly voluntarily refused a lung transplant, being afraid to lose his voice, choosing the stage, not life. But this contradicts the book of his mother, Laurence, in which she told how Gregory fought for his life to the last, but, alas, could not wait for donor lungs.
The case of Gregory Lemarchal is alive - after his death, the parents of a talented singer created an association to combat cystic fibrosis, in a matter of days collecting millions of euros in donations. After Lemarchal's death, a movement against cystic fibrosis began in France, and the number of organ donors increased significantly. The Gregorian Society also exists in Russia - fans of the talented young man not only promote his music, but also help children with cystic fibrosis.
CARINE FERRY: "Gregory Lemarchal would love the Voice of the Country project." candid interview Karine Ferri to TéléStar magazine on Monday 28 February. Karine Ferry "Things I never talked about..." Since her participation in The Bachelor in 2004, Karine has settled on television. At the age of 32, such a modest host of The Voice, revealed herself to our Tele Star magazine. From your first act in the morning to your love for Gregory Lemarchal, read below about Karine's personal life. Telestar: What's the first thing you do when you get up? Karin: I'm going to take a shower! As soon as my alarm rings, I go to wash. Telestar: And the last thing you do tonight? Karin: I spray oils in my room and on my pillow. Telestar: A song you're ashamed to admit to? Karin: Mediteranneenne Herve Vilard. It makes my buddies happy when we get together, but she is very precious to me (laughs). Telestar: Movie fetish? Karin: "Ghost" with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. It is very close to me because it is beautiful story that gives hope... Telestar: Talisman? Karin: I have some family decorations, if you can call them that! (laughs). In fact we are talking about chains, watch straps that I've been given and that I try to wear as soon as I can, depends on what I'm wearing for work. Telestar: Any annoying quirks of yours? Karin: I have a very nervous and not very glamorous tic: I break the split ends of my hair. I've had this since I was very young. It's very annoying for people who are with me because I look at my hair when they talk to me. Telestar: As a child, were you more of an angel or an imp? Karin: More like an angel! I was very affectionate, big sticky, even. She was always attached to her parents and her brother. Telestar: Are you close to your brother, David, with whom you are 6 years apart? Karin: As children, we endlessly clarified something, swore, and my mother constantly had to be a kind of policeman at home. 6 years difference is a lot when you are a child, and especially when you are a brother and sister. Fortunately, today there is no such difference! (smiles). Telestar: Did your brother follow your potential suitors? Karin: Oh yes, and nothing has changed! (laughs). He is very protective of me. And besides, I am from a Mediterranean family, with great values, respect ... Therefore, we are going as a family to general advice when there is a need! Telestar: As a teenager, were you more of a conqueror of hearts or a big prude? Karin: I wasn't super humble, but I wasn't a heart-breaker either. In fact, I was hyper romantic, very sentimental, watching whiny movies like Dirty Dancing, Sissi imperatrice, etc. Telestar: Your first kiss? Karin: I was 13 years old, it was at a party, to the song You Call It Love from the movie Apprentice. I was so in everyone romantic movies that she wanted to live a love story like in a movie. And I asked to put this song. And there was a little kiss, very modest and naive. Telestar: Complexes? Karin: Like everyone else. I would like to be bigger, have wavy hair and fuller lips. And I don't like my legs or my arms. Telestar: Do you play sports? Karin: A lot! Depending on my shooting, I work out 3 times a week in total. Telestar: What's the best vacation you've ever had? Karin: The ones I spend every summer, in our family home in the south of France with my parents and my brother. It's better than any trip. Telestar: Manechka before you go out to host your programs? Karin: I spray perfume in my dressing room, arrange candles, try to create a harmonious atmosphere, like when you go for a massage. In short, I relax as best I can... Telestar: What is your biggest professional pride? Karin: The Voice, because I watched the 1st season and now being in it, it was unbelievable for me. It's still the most big project TF1. Plus, I work in a family, with Nikos and people who used to make StarAk and who I knew when we were younger... Telestar: What did you do on your 30th birthday night to cross that threshold? Karin: I cried (laughs). I went to a restaurant with my family, but when I got home, I was crying. I was not in the mood at all and I spent a disgusting evening ... What is it from, because of the number 3 and the fact that I need to tell myself that I have become a woman? And then, it's worth saying that I don't like celebrating my birthdays for some time ... I'm no longer a fan of April (Karine Ferry was born on April 25, and Gregory Lemarchal passed away on April 30, 2007 - ed.). Telestar: Nick confessed to us that he really enjoyed hearing Gregory's songs on The Voice. And you? Karin: It's very a good thing for the artist. And this beautiful sign attention to the artist. Knowing this, Gregory would be very happy. But I confess that it can be very difficult for loved ones when, all of a sudden, you hear Gregory's song. All this leads you to an emotion that you can't control while you're at work... However, I'm very pleased because it shows that they love the artist and that they haven't forgotten him. So keep singing Gregory's songs on The Voice! Speaking about me, this effect that this has on me is only for me, and I have a very good environment ... (excitedly). Telestar: What would Gregory think of the show? Karin: I'm sure he would love The Voice because coaches only judge by singing. We are here for all the clichés and this show confirms that you don't have to be a size 36 to be able to sing well... Telestar: What is your biggest pride when it comes to the Gregory Lemarchal Association? Karin: We are doing a lot of things and improving in Everyday life patients, but what I remember was the renewal of the pneumology department at the Foch hospital in Suresnes, where Greg was hospitalized. And the garden that was created later. His idea allowed the sick to walk, and this is very good for morale and good moral health. The entire department has been updated and every room has been thought of. Today, when you enter the department, you can see a huge portrait photography Greg. Because it's all thanks to him...
Until recently, I was sure that I walked the Earth only one person, born only for the sake of death. But recently I discovered another case.
The story is beautiful, tragic and instructive at the same time. And the meaning of it was not clear to me until the very end.
I want to go through the history of this short but bright life step by step with you.
So, in 1983, a boy was born in France. A boy, like a boy, common to everyone, beloved and unique for his parents.
When the boy was almost 2 years old, the doctors reported that he was sick with cystic fibrosis.
cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis) is a systemic hereditary disease caused by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene and characterized by lesions of the external secretion glands, severe disorders of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract functions.
It is the most common hereditary disease known. Every 20th inhabitant of the planet is a carrier of a defective gene. The birth of a sick child is possible by 25% if both parents are carriers of a genetic defect.
Word "cystic fibrosis" derived from Latin words mucus- "mucus" and viscidus - "viscous". This name means that the secrets (mucus) secreted by various organs have too high viscosity and density. As a result, all these organs suffer: the bronchopulmonary system, pancreas, liver, intestinal glands, sweat and salivary glands, sex glands.
In the lungs, due to the accumulation of viscous sputum, inflammatory processes develop. Violated ventilation and blood supply to the lungs. There is a painful cough - this is one of the constant symptoms of the disease. The lungs are easily infected, most often by staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Patients develop recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia, sometimes from the first months of life. Infection further increases the viscosity of sputum. Such conditions are extremely dangerous for the life of the patient. It is from respiratory failure that the vast majority of patients die.
Can you imagine what it means to live without taking off your gas mask? A gas mask that works worse and worse every day. This is how patients with cystic fibrosis live. Their lungs work only 25%.
The cost of maintenance therapy for a patient with cystic fibrosis is between $10,000 and $25,000 per year.
Therefore, in the CIS countries, cystic fibrosis was not even included in the number of diseases exempting from the army - our boys just didn't live up to it.
Here is what Gregory's father, Pierre Lemarchal, recalls:
We learned about the disease when Greg was 20 months old. We were told this news without any preparation, it was a real and very cruel blow.
Laurence's wife then went to the doctor alone, she was completely calm. And he told her absolutely coldly and indifferently that cystic fibrosis, which we then had no idea about, was genetic disease which is not treated.
You can imagine the state she was in after that visit. I looked up "cystic fibrosis" in the dictionary, and it says that the disease is "almost always fatal" and life expectancy for patients does not exceed 15 years.
Fortunately, then we went and consulted with my acquaintance an osteopathic doctor, and he morally set us up not to give up, but to continue the fight, and then in Grenoble we met a wonderful specialist, Dr. Jean-Pierre Gou, who took care of Greg until his eighteenth birthday.
I want to ask you: what would you think about life, about God, about people, about your capabilities, if you didn’t just assume, but knew for sure that you would not cross the line of 25 years?
Most people fall into apathy with lesser problems.
But Greg was never angry or offended by life - he loved it: from childhood he went in for sports, played basketball, was fond of football. And in 1995 he even became the champion of France in acrobatic rock and roll - this dance requires very strong physical preparation.
The disease, of course, did not give Greg the opportunity to play sports professionally, but since he loved sports selflessly, he decided to become a sports columnist.
That evening (if you remember) the French team won the World Cup, and Gregory lost the bet to his father. And the bet was this: during the next vacation, Greg was supposed to sing karaoke. The fact is that his parents were convinced of his musical talent, but Greg himself special significance I did not attach it - all parents are convinced that they have the smartest, most talented and, in any case, the most well-mannered children.
A few days later, in the town of Argelès-sur-mer, Gregory fulfilled the conditions of the bet with his father by performing "Je m'voyais" by Charles Aznavour.
Everyone who was present at his speech was shocked - they had never heard anything like it before. Only now, having seen the reaction completely strangers, Gregory believed that he really had talent.
So everyone around decided: Greg should sing!
What's it like to sing when you can't sing for medical reasons?
What should it be like so that you are ready to overcome physical pain every time you open your mouth? Don't give up and don't back down, don't whine or complain, work, work, work, polishing your skills, knowing for sure that you have less time than everyone else.
From book "Under Your Eyes" Laurence Lemarchal
....behind the scenes, during the musical breaks, which gave him about 30 seconds of time, he relentlessly had to continue the fight against cystic fibrosis. As soon as he left the stage, at a glance his father knew whether he was feeling well or not. Then, in an automatic movement, Gregory took a bottle of water, drank a lot, took a towel to wipe off sweat and avoid colds, blew his nose, coughed and tried to expel the phlegm that filled his bronchial tubes. The kinesitherapist always met him right behind the curtain in case he needed his urgent help. Gregory sat down, lowered his head, concentrated, then got up in one jump, picked up the microphone again and returned to the stage. Every second was painted with him, as if on music paper.
One evening, his father forgot to bring paper handkerchiefs for him, so Greg bored him with that look! At these moments, he was not at all in the mood for jokes.
On April 18, 2005, his first album "Je deviens moi" was released. (I become myself), which sells out instantly throughout France and goes platinum within a few months. The boy conquers listeners with his kindness, angelic face and strong voice.
In January 2006, he was awarded one of the most prestigious awards in France, Discovery of the Year, at the NRJ Music Awards.
In the period from 9 to 26 May of the same year, Gregory Lemarchal tours France, Belgium and Switzerland with great success.
The voice of Gregory Lemarchal was admired by such masters as Lara Fabian, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Patricia Kaas. Each of them sang a duet with Greg - a tribute to the talent and a tribute to the fortitude of this teenager.
He did not get better, but he continued to sing
From the memoirs of Pierre Lemarchal
... The son constantly needed sophrology sessions, as they helped him the most. I remember that evening at Olympia when, fifteen minutes before the concert, he simply had no voice. We urgently called in Stefan, a specialist in etiopathy, and thanks to his help, Gregory was able to sing, even all the most difficult melodies. Yes, he was in pain, he was insanely tormented, but he succeeded. The audience did not see anything but the artist lighting the lights on the stage, and the director of Olympia had tears in his eyes ...
In February 2007, he announces to his fans that he is forced to take a break due to ill health. Despite this departure, he is planning a second album. In early April, he even sang Vivo per lei with Helen Segara. It was the last thing he sang.
His condition continued to deteriorate. In the second half of April, he is urgently admitted to a hospital in the suburbs of Paris, where he spent his last days in vain waiting for a lung transplant.
And up to this point, this whole story is very unclear and unfair in terms of global designs.
What's the point?
One comment on Youtube.com made a wild suggestion: God also needs to listen to beautiful voices. And He can hear them only there? Why then are all other musical talents alive?
What would happen if a donor could be found? Gregory Lemarchal would continue to sing and everyone who heard him would be happy. But be honest: have you heard of such a disease before? Did you know that quite a lot of people suffer from it? And that they and their parents do not have the slightest hope ...
Greg himself always said: Never write the end of history...
And the continuation of this story is as follows:
On the evening of May 4, 2007, during a three-hour program about Gregory on TF1, 6,000,000 euro donations, and the number of registered donors is the same as for the entire previous year.
The funds went to fund research into cystic fibrosis, refurbishing hospitals.
On June 7, 2007, the Gregory Lemarchal Association Against Cystic Fibrosis was officially registered - "Association Gregory Lemarchal".
Not only in France, but also in Russia, after the death of Gregory, a volunteer movement was launched to combat cystic fibrosis.
I will say a terrible thing (I apologize in advance to the faint of heart), but God gave such an amazing talent to a terminally ill boy who was not allowed to sing, so that people would love the "little prince" enough to understand how terrible this disease is and do everything they can, to save other children.
He passed away so early... He had a very rare and incurable disease lungs. He knew that he would soon die. The doctors did not allow him to sing ... But he sang and how ..
It is impossible to listen to this song of his without tears... He would live and live more. He wanted to fly like a bird - to be free...
Words are superfluous... Feel...
Lara Fabian loved him
Lara Fabian's first concert since the death of her beloved friend Gregory Lemorchal. She went out, but she couldn't sing. And then, standing, the whole hall sang .. the whole hall in Nimes will sing this song to her, replacing the words in it, "Je t" aime "(I love you) for the first time will turn into" On t "aime" (We love you) .. Then her producer, Rick Alisson, who accompanies the piano, will come up and say: “You see ... and you said that you have nothing to live for .. Live for them, for the people.
So many feelings...
Her lover was 13 years younger than her. But he died of a rare lung disease
So much suffering and pain is felt in her performance ...
Check out this concert! As the whole auditorium sang ...
This song is performed by Lara, accompanied by Igor Krutoy.
There is a Russian translation.
Amazing performance by Lara Fabian and Gregory Lemorchal -
so tender, touching... As if angels are flying around them..
Interview with Lara Fabian:
“I have learned to live more calmly. Now I am able to be alone for many days without pain, sadness, longing. Of course, I miss the ones I love, but I used to not be able to be alone with myself for a long time. Now I like to be alone without this feeling that the earth has opened up in front of me, ”says the singer.
She returned from afar, beautiful Lara. There was, of course, this disease that affects the vital organs, which she overcame and about which she absolutely does not want to talk anymore - this is in the past. She is more talkative when it comes to healing deep emotional pain. Pain that made her write words like: "everything is meaningless when there is nothing more to fear, all reasons to stay are theirs." It was in 2001 on the album Nue. A song called "Because you're leaving" ("Parce que tu pars").
“Everyone thought I wrote it for someone else. But it was about me…” she says.
Lara removes the veil from the secret, not fully realizing herself who inspired her confidence today so that she could do it.
“We are not forgiven for feeling like this… As if it was forbidden to have problems for someone who has what I have… I have always avoided the role of a “yearning star”, but perhaps what I say about this will help others. who are also going through this…” she muses quietly.
There were moments in Lara's career that brought her contempt and hatred. Within a few years, Quebec radio stations stopped broadcasting her songs, which she could not explain. But there was an even worse situation, in France, where at one time she experienced constant insults from the press.
“Sometimes people asked me what I did… Nothing! The situation was getting worse, and I often asked myself why they didn’t like me. Now I am happy that I am loved. Others do not, and this is their right, it is not scary at all.
At the age of 37, the singer was definitely left alone (12 million CDs sold, this is still reassuring ...), but in her youth she did not keep this distance in relation to life. She came to France at 27, after 10 years in Quebec, where the press is generally more tolerant of artists. When the wave of hatred towards her gained height, Lara had a desire to end it.
“I wanted to leave. Not only from show business. Get out of life. It was a combination of things and it's in the past, but the press was especially brutal. They completely destroy a person, there is no compassion…”, she recalls with emotion.
Today Lara is enjoying life, developing her plans. She has found love, her life partner is the French director Gerard Pullicino and in the spring she will move with him to Montreal. In September, she will appear on the stage in Paris, she is also considering several screenplays, and, of course, dreams of the day when she becomes a mother. What brought her back to life when everything was seen in black? Her best friend, Natalie.
“I told myself that there is someone who really loves me. There was one clear moment that I remembered like a photograph. It was very frank. One person, three phrases… I believe that one phrase, one word can really bring someone back to life…” she says with great appreciation in her eyes.
Having overcome depression, then illness, Lara completely changed her system of values. Now every morning she asks herself why she does something. And if he doesn't find the right answer, he stops.
“You notice that for a long time life passed you by. Reality returns there, and priorities change. I'm sorry, but I will never again spend 17 months without driving home. 17 days at the most!”
She says this with great conviction and it becomes clear that the aloofness has made her lose her bearings. Now she has found them again and it is no coincidence that she chose White color And " A New Look to illustrate their latest album.
“This is my search for light. Little, I was like that. I took black sheets of paper to draw white stars… There is a lot of hope in this vision of life and a way to refuse to be constantly tested.”
... After the death of Gregory Lemarchal, Lara Fabian went out to sing the song “Je t`aime” (“I love you”) in memory of Gregory, but could not sing. And then, instead of the singer, the entire hall in Nimes sang this song, replacing the words in it, which then first turned into “On t`aime” (“We love you”). Producer Rick Alisson, who accompanied Lara Fabian on the piano, later approached the singer and said: “You see ... And you said that you have nothing to live for ... Live for them, for the people.” She still sings to this day. But this is only beautiful legend about the love of Gregory and Lara. People just want that kind of love...
... And exactly five years ago, on June 16, 2007, a concert was to take place, called by the singer himself "an evening of friends." But it did not take place. Last message, which Gregory Lemarchal managed to write to his fans, was published on his website two days before his death: “Dear Gregorians, never in my life have I sent you a message with such pain as now. Indeed, the most great joy 2007 for me was this concert on June 16, this "evening of friends" that I wanted to hold for you, which I thought up and created for you with such inspiration, to thank you for your constant support and to give you a little happiness - that happiness, which you have been giving me every day for the past three years. But, unfortunately, in this moment the state of my health does not allow me to realize this project, which was so dear to me. Doctors strongly advise or even rather force me to take a forced pause for at least 3 months to undergo treatment and get better. My heart is breaking, I am extremely bitter, but I am forced to postpone our meeting with you and reschedule it for an indefinite period, the approximate dates of which I will inform you later. The fan club team will soon explain to you how you can get a refund for your concert tickets. Of course, I will try to continue to give you news about myself, and know that I need your support and love more than ever. I love you. Gregory"…
Many imagined him to be such an angel ...
He died on April 30, 2007. And his fans are all over the world. One of the fans wrote intimately: “I read about Gregory that, dying in the hospital, he forbade his parents to pray for donor lungs to be found. I did not want to live at the expense of the death of another person. Quite a young guy, but so much courage and what a talent... To sing with 20% of the lungs, when even talking - a huge job... Surprised... Gave reason to think... Well done, boy! The earth rest in peace to you!
There is also such an entry on the forums on the Web: “Until now, I cannot realize and feel: WHAT inner strength possessed by Gregory Lemarchal, the Little Prince of the French song, to accept his fate and live life as he lived it ??? "...
And again: “How painful it is to watch him sing! How much suffering, how much pain in his eyes! He died, but this song will remain forever, and the memory will always be! Damn, how many emotions I got by watching this video!
Gregory Lemarchal and his "Sos d "un terrien en detresse"
... Gregory Lemarchal was born on May 13, 1983 in France, in the city of La Tronche. At the age of 1 year and 8 months, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a rare hereditary incurable disease caused by a mutation in one of the genes. In the course of this disease, the external secretion glands are damaged, severe violations of the functions of the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract begin. But the diagnosis did not break Gregory. On the contrary, he made me live a short, but very bright life ...
… Gregory was very active child and loved to play sports. He also danced, and in 1995 became the champion of France in acrobatic rock and roll. But he was especially interested in basketball and football, was a fan of the Marseille Olympic and was even going to become a sports journalist, while Gregory's parents always dreamed of sending their son to music school because they knew about it good voice and hearing. Gregory himself wanted to play only sports and ignored all the offers of his parents to take up music. He intentionally faked his music school auditions and did everything he could to avoid being accepted there. But due to the state of health of Gregory, a career as a professional athlete was not available to him.
As a child, Gregory was an amazing child...
Gregory's mother wrote: “He watched his friends play in the yard without him, while he himself had to stay at home and undergo either a kinesitherapy session (physiotherapy exercises) or antibiotics. Yes, of course, it's not at all cool to spend two or three times a day for a whole hour on a drip, starting all this at five thirty in the morning, and so on for at least two weeks. Gregory refused treatment and agreed only when he was already completely unbearable. He also could not stand kinesitherapy sessions, especially when it seemed to him that he was better. This has been a constant source of conflict between us. I pestered him: “Baby, did you take your medicine? Did you inhale? What time does the kinesitherapist come today? Life was hard on him. One day, his primary care physician called him in to talk privately: “Gregory, don't let cystic fibrosis decide for you. Only you yourself must take power over him and decide when you need to be treated and when not.
In July 1998 further fate Gregory identified in in a certain sense Lucky case. He argued with his father that the French team would not win the World Cup. But the French team won, and according to the terms of the dispute, Gregory had to sing the song "Je m'voyais" by Charles Aznavour in karaoke in the town of Argelès-sur-mer. When the young man complied with the conditions of the dispute, everyone who was present at his speech was amazed at the beauty and power of his voice. The talent was obvious. His illness made it almost impossible to sing, but Gregory, in spite of his illness, sang, and did it absolutely amazingly.
He was handsome, but not a star...
And the swing of the struggle for success and recognition with ignorance and failures began to work. Gregory began taking vocal lessons and took part in 1999 in television program"Graines de Stars" and the competition "Tremplin des étoiles" (equivalent to " morning star”), but the victory did not go to him. But Lemarchal continued to work on the technique of performance and diligently took vocal lessons. Gregory's motivation was so high that he even left school in the penultimate grade. In the summer of 2003, during the casting for the musical "Belle, belle, belle", the producers offered him a role, but he was convinced that he did not need to act in this project. And in 2003, he successfully passed the casting in the musical "Adam and Eve" for the role of Adam. The musical was shown in many cities in France, and even a single was released. But the musical did not reach Paris. In 2004, Gregory came to the casting for the Noubell Star program (similar to " People's Artist”), but after several hours spent in line in the cold, he could not show the beauty of his voice, and was not appreciated by the jury.
The end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004 were not easy for Gregory. He said: “I led a rather miserable lifestyle during that period. I went to bed at three in the morning, got up at noon, in the evenings I went to have fun with friends. I saw that nothing was working out for me, and I completely blossomed. I didn't recognize myself. And he was getting further and further away from his goals. However, in the summer of 2004, the Star Academy project (analogue of the Star Factory) recruited for the 4th season of its programs. There was one vacancy left, and the producers were looking for a handsome male voice. This time the jury couldn't resist musical talent Gregory. And although Gregory's illness meant certain restrictions, the organizers agreed to make an exception and made some concessions in organizing his schedule. As a result, on December 22, 2004, Gregory won the title of winner, and at the age of 21 he became the first male winner in the history of the project, for whom 86% of viewers voted.
The real prince of the stage...
Gregory's parents said: "The Star Academy project gave Gregory a very important thing: being away from his family for such a long time, which always surrounded him with care and protected him, he was forced to learn to take care of himself completely independently. And he discovered for himself that everything is possible, that willpower alone can help push cystic fibrosis into the background. He came to Star Academy to fulfill a dream that belonged to him alone. And when he came out of there, he realized that he could serve as an example for other children and adults with this disease. Of course, not all patients with cystic fibrosis recognized themselves in Gregory, maybe not all of them were affected by his fate, but some of them were definitely affected very deeply. For example, there was one child who refused to drink a lot of water and this drove the entire medical staff of the hospital into despair. And when he saw that on TV they show how Gregory constantly walks around with a large bottle of water in his hand, he relented and admitted that drinking plenty of fluids is very important for his body. Many patients wanted to talk to him, to tell about their situation. And often Greg answered them: “Look, everything is possible! The main thing is to move, you can do it and achieve everything. Don't wait for someone else to do something for you!"
... In turn, colleagues in the competition and the audience awarded Gregory with the nickname The Little Prince. The voice range of 4 octaves was perfectly combined with generosity, charm and sincerity. young performer. He combined fantastic energy, talent, rare fighting qualities and great love for people. Gregory radiated Inner Light, sincerity, kindness and almost always smiling. Fans called Gregory the Acrobat of the Voice - so he sang masterfully without any effort visible to the audience. And no matter what he sang, his performance was always distinguished by romanticism, sensuality and utmost sincerity. Especially demonstrative was the performance of the composition "Le bonheur tout simplement" from the 2005 album "I Become Myself", the words of which were written by Luc Plamondon - the author of the libretto and producer of the famous musical "Notre Dame de Paris".
"My angel" - a dedication to a beloved girl. Gregory wanted a baby, but didn't have time...
Gregory's mother said: "Greg had his own, very unusual way get rid of tension, depressive mood and strong anxiety. He was "fooling around". Constantly. He could easily show spiritual maturity unusual for his age and literally in the next second begin to behave like a playful child. This happened not only at home, but also at work. He and Olivier competed to see who could make the scariest face somewhere in public place, inventing new curse words for each other via SMS or playing out some scandalous scene, like two market traders, right on film set to see how others react. And when Leticia, his make-up artist, was talking on the phone, Greg loved to suddenly yell something into the phone to scare her interlocutor. And with Philip Warren, a faithful accomplice and photographer, photo sessions very quickly turned into clownish gatherings ... But he could not deceive us with this, and neither could he. This constant insatiable need to play the clown was, of course, inherent in his character, but it was also a consequence of the evil that accompanied him everywhere.
Of course, deep down he was afraid of each new day. And all these nonsense, jokes and tomfoolery were the only outlet for him. His friends were well aware of his uncontrollable thirst for fun, and, of course, they were the first to support him in this. With friends, Gregory had fun full program. A whole company formed around him and Fabien. Fabien is his childhood friend, the same friend with whom they could play football for hours in the corner of a small cul-de-sac in Barbie; the one who accompanied us to the Star Academy primes every time he could; the one who surprised Greg and came to the Castle on the day the show's producers allowed the students to visit. Fabien was his best friend. Greg often took on the role of the main instigator in this company. He always agreed to everything, always ready to organize everything himself. Even guys older than him were still waiting for his opinions and suggestions on any occasion. And then the Star Academy period came, and then Gregory returned from the Castle and suddenly noticed that all the other friends - except for Fabien, who knew Greg like the back of his hand - somehow disappeared unnoticed! For them, he went over to the side of the "enemy", became the boy from the TV, became the "other" Gregory. And besides, they saw live how on the project he made new friendships with other people, and the power of television only increases this effect. And when Greg realized that now a certain barrier had subconsciously arisen between them, he was terribly angry and decided to organize a “general gathering” to dot the “and”: “What did it get into you? Are you completely out of your mind? I haven't changed! Yes, it's me, Gregory, I'm still the same! It was so funny and childish...but effective!
Duet with Helen Segara
Our big house has once again become a permanent home for this gang! And when they were not at our place, Greg would go to them to watch movies in the cinema until he was blue in the face or play poker. Most of all, he was afraid that they might think that he had caught a star disease. Between them there should not have been any omissions - so they were accepted. And Gregory could not stand lies - even he himself could not hang noodles on my ears for more than half an hour, then he would still crack and admit that he had done something stupid. And friends for him were above all. When one of them did something bad, Greg was deeply hurt. But he was always able to find extenuating circumstances, to give a second chance. I never heard him speak contemptuously or gossip about anyone. And I admire them for it. Personally, I do not have such greatness of soul. And in the end, Gregory could always - with one or two exceptions, no more - distinguish between those who truly love him and those who communicate with him out of selfish interest.
... On April 18, 2005, Gregory's first album "Je deviens moi" ("I become myself") was released. Posters, programs and interviews hit Gregory in an instant. The first single, released a little before the album, on March 29 - "Ecris L'Histoire" broke into the charts and held the first position for a long time. The Star Academy tour was sold out in all the cities of France, and every time the hall exploded with applause at the sight of Gregory. His album quickly sold out in France and went platinum within a few months. And in January 2006, Gregory Lemarchal received one of the most prestigious awards in France - "Discovery of the Year" at the NRJ Music Awards. And during May 2006, Gregory toured France, Belgium and Switzerland with great success.
Gregory Lemarchal and "Ecris L'Histoire"
One of his concerts took place at the famous Olympia in Paris in 2006, a year before his death. 15 minutes before the concert at the Olympia, Gregory practically could not sing, and he had to call a doctor, whose help allowed Lemarchal to take the stage. The audience did not see anything but the excellent performance of Gregory, and the director of Olimpia, who was behind the scenes, and employees concert hall tears welled up in my eyes at the sight of what a real test this concert was for Lemarchal. This concert in Olympia was published on DVD.
And all his other concerts were held with a deafening full house, as his return on stage shocked the audience. He subtly felt his partners during performances, and the more talented his partner in performance was, the brighter Gregory himself looked. Their duet with Oda during the performance of the song "L`envie" was an amazing sight. Gregory also had duets with Patricia Kaas and Lara Fabian, with whom Gregory was on friendly terms. Lara Fabian immediately recognized Gregory's talent. At Star Academy's fifth anniversary, Gregory and Lara sang "Un Ave Maria" as a duet. The duet was an initiative of Fabian, who always supported Lemarchal, helped him adapt to show business when he took the first steps in his career. Lara Fabian admired Gregory. In an interview, she said: “What absolutely shocked me about Gregory is that what he does not say with words, he says with his voice and eyes. Greg is a being who carries an inner light, which is very good, we all needed it.
Duet with Lara Fabian
In their interviews, Gregory's partners admitted that they enjoyed working with Gregory on stage.
Soon Gregory planned to release a second album, and in early April he sang the song "Vivo per lei" in a duet with Helen Segara. But in April 2007, Gregory's health deteriorated rapidly and he needed an urgent lung transplant. Make an operation famous performer the doctors didn't make it. Without waiting for a donor, on April 30, 2007, Gregory died. His last words before the introduction to the coma were: "I will still overcome you, damned disease." Unfortunately, he was not destined to cope with it ...
... Gregory Lemarchal was buried in the cemetery of the town of Sonna, where he lived with his family, in Savoy. IN last way Gregory Lemarchal went to the scarf of his favorite team - the Marseille "Olympic". The farewell ceremony for the "little prince" at the Cathédrale Saint-François-de-Sales de Chambéry was attended by thousands of fans, who were asked by Gregory's parents not to bring any souvenirs other than the white roses that Gregory loved. The second album of Gregory Lemarchal called "Ls voix d'un Ange" was presented to the public on June 18, 2007 by Karine Ferry - Gregory's girlfriend, after the artist's death ...
Duet with Patricia Kaas
... In less than 24 years, Gregory Lemarchal managed to do as much as others do not have time to do in several lifetimes. And even the death of this talented young man helped people. His parents decided to continue the fight. "I won't let my son just walk away," Gregory's mom said. Lemarchal's parents formed the Gregory Lemarchal Cystic Fibrosis Association. During the three-hour TV show about Gregory, 6 million euros of donations were collected, and the number of registered donors was the same as for the entire previous year. Gregory showed everyone what it means to love life, and that in any difficult situation you can't give up. Life is wonderful and deserves to go on, although it is difficult to predict what it has in store for us. As Gregory himself said in one of his interviews: "Never write the end of history ...".
… It seemed that there were no dark spots in Gregory's life. And only in the text of the song "De temps en temps" ("From time to time"), which became a posthumous single, Gregory wrote:
Occasionally
I bend under the weight of fate
And the suffering to which my body is doomed.
Occasionally
I take back stabs
Meanness, an evil play on words ...
Occasionally
I regret that innocence
Which can only be in childhood.
Occasionally
I just want peace.
I have no more respect. So it was...
... And in the time that has passed since the death of the singer, a society of "Gregorians" has also appeared in Russia, which is engaged in the promotion of the work of this amazing and talented young man. And the fight against the disease that struck him ...
The Little Prince and "Je t" ecries
P.S. And fans are still writing his life for Gregory, drawing their own from it. Here are some fan experiences Little Prince:
- The filth and abomination of human everyday life touched him too. But, despite this, in his spiritual will - ONLY words of love and gratitude. Everyone: relatives, friends, fans, producers, doctors;
- The presenter Sergei Mayorov correctly said about him: “The real is always too little!”. He really was real! A little prince with laughing and at the same time infinitely sad eyes! What is it like to realize from childhood that you can die at any moment?! How does it feel to feel such hellish pain!?!!! But there were such animals who considered it proper to insult him! The French “journalist” (you can’t say otherwise, I apologize to the honest representatives of this wonderful profession) Frederic Martin publicly insulted Gregory, calling him “Cystic Fibrosis” when listing all the winners of the Star Academy: “Jenifer, Nolvenn, Elodie, Cystic Fibrosis and Magali "... I would have killed!!! Greg remembered this for the rest of his life! Thank God that people still remember and love Gregory!..
Such talent is rare. I am happy that I was able to get acquainted with the work of this star boy. It's a shame that so little was given to him in this world, he, like a ray of light, pleased with his warmth and sincerity. I want as many people as possible to know about it! He deserves it;
Lara (Fabian. - Auth.) really respected (and still respects) Greg and his talent. It was she who called Gregory "the golden voice of France." They didn’t have any romance, that’s right, a stage image. They only met a couple of times. It’s just that, you know, she was imbued with it ... But how could you calmly stand on the stage and sing, looking into those eyes?
Lara Fabian sang and cried...
Verbal cliches (all sorts) I hate with all the fibers of my soul. "God takes the best" including. But when people like Gregory leave, there is simply nothing more to say. Except that God has a weird sense of humor. Has the Little Prince already fulfilled everything for which he came into this world? Fulfilled and returned to his Planet... And those who remained to live??? Does this mean that all of us have not done something important? What else is left for us to think about it and have time to do it??? And most importantly - to learn to love life itself, to love people the way Gregory Lemarchal could do it.
The golden voice of France died at the age of 23 in 2007 from cystic fibrosis (a genetic disease when the secretion organs do not work, life expectancy is rarely more than 25 years) ... A unique case, doctors are perplexed to this day - how could he sing? At least the fact that with this disease a constant cough (since the lungs are not cleared) already puts an end to singing, and this person gave solo concerts ...
He postponed until the last lung transplant, as he was afraid that he would not be able to sing. He said this: “If I can’t sing, then what will be the meaning of life?”. 3 weeks before his death, he signed an agreement with the hospital to search for a lung donor, but they never managed to find it ... Sleep well, angel, Little Prince of France, I know that you fought to the end, but you just didn’t have time ....
From the fairy tale that Gregory lived, there was precious and such
a rare treasure on the planet of people - the Light of the Soul. Light of the Soul of the Little One
The prince that he generously gave to all of us...
And you better not say. You can only sing...
The famous "The show must go on" performed by Gregory Lemarchal
P.P.S. You can learn about the life and work, as well as the activities of the Gregory Lemarchal Foundation, on the Russian page of Gregory Lemarchal's friends: www.gregorylemarchal.ru
Andrey GONCHAROV, Vladimir SKACHKO (based on the Internet)
