He rubbed shoulders with all the biggest rockstars on the planet, such as the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Genesis and Pink Floyd, and worked in Quebec with Céline Dion, Harmonium, Roch Voisine and Garou. Suffering from incurable cancer, Mario Lefebvre, who will be honored by ADISQ on October 30, remembers his prolific career with a smile.
“I don’t have at all the notoriety that my mentor [René] Angélil had or others, but I had a career of which I am very proud” says Mario Lefebvre. We would be less.
In five decades, the former music industry bonze has enjoyed a career worthy of a Hollywood film. Hired at the age of 16 as a journalist for the magazine Pop RockLefebvre quickly rose through the ranks in the industry.
Mario Lefebvre in his youth.
Photo provided by Mario Lefebvre
In 1977, the biggest record company of the time, Warner, offered him a three-month summer assignment. “I had an incredible summer. Emerson, Lake and Palmer was at Olympic Stadium. Berger and Plamondon wrote Starmania.”
Even though he was still studying, the young Lefebvre had agreed to continue in the longer term as a promotion agent with the label. “Warner had everyone in those days: the Rolling Stones, Genesis, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac. All you can imagine was them!”
With a young Céline
In 1986, while at CBS, which would later become Sony Music, Mario Lefebvre was in the front row for the signing of the contract of a young Céline Dion. “We were going to go out Incognito the year after.”
Mario Lefebvre [à l’arrière] with René Angélil, Céline Dion and colleagues from CBS, for the signing of the contract with Céline, in 1986. Photo provided by Mario Lefebvre
Photo provided by Mario Lefebvre
For the next 30 years, Mario Lefebvre would maintain a very precious friendship with René and Céline. “René has always been a mentor to me and Céline has always been a very important person in my life,” he says. I wouldn’t say she’s like my little sister because she already has quite a few brothers. [rires]! But he’s someone I’ve always wanted to protect and who I adore. I am very disturbed by everything that is happening to him [sa maladie]obviously.”
Mario Lefebvre with René Angélil and Céline Dion.
Photo provided by Mario Lefebvre
What does he think of the rumors of Céline’s return to the stage? “I think if she can do it, she’s going to do everything to get there. Because he is the most determined and hardworking person I have met in my life. Medically, I don’t know what his capabilities are. But I know that what’s most important to her is being on stage and singing.”
One month at a time
On October 30, ADISQ will award a Félix tribute to Mario Lefebvre. “I receive it with extraordinary humility and great appreciation. Especially since it comes at a time in my life where I am unfortunately a little less active, where I may not be here that long.”
Suffering from bone marrow cancer since November 2022, Mario Lefebvre is now going “one month at a time”, having successfully followed clinical treatment from Pfizer for more than a year. “I don’t make long-term plans. […] I am at peace with my life. What must happen will happen. The only thing I control is when I’m still here.”
Behind the scenes stories
Mario Lefebvre lived a life worthy of the film Almost Famous). Here are four anecdotes shared with international stars.
Michael Jackson: “In 1981, he came to play at the Montreal Forum with his brothers [The Jacksons]. I told him that he was due to release a next album and that I couldn’t wait to hear it. He told me that when this album came out, it would be the biggest album of all time.Thriller was released the following year.
Mario Lefebvre with Michael Jackson.
Photo provided by Mario Lefebvre
Pink Floyd: “In 1987, I was invited to their rehearsals in a hangar at the Toronto airport and I was seated very close to them. Between songs, David Gilmour asked me if this sequence was good! […] By the end of the first of three shows at the Forum, the audience didn’t want to leave and the band had returned to play Shine On You Crazy Diamond for 23 minutes!”
Mario Lefebvre with David Gilmour, of Pink Floyd, in 1987.
Photo provided by Mario Lefebvre
Queen: “Freddie Mercury is for me the greatest singer in history. For the tour JazzI had seen him do the sound test every day in the afternoon with the song Mustafawhich is a Hebrew song. It wasn’t reheated and it was amazing. He was just the best.”
The Rolling Stones: “For their tour Steel Wheelsin 1989, I spent quite a bit of time with them backstage. I played pool with Keith Richards and Charlie Watts. Mike [Jagger]he was a little behind, as he always did. He was wonderfully elegant.”
Mario Lefebvre with Keith Richards, of the Rolling Stones, in 1989.
Photo provided by Mario Lefebvre