Mes Grands Succès - Vol 1 (1967-1982)

Pierre Perpall – The Chameleon of Canadian Music
Pierre Perpall is a Canadian musical icon whose career spans over six decades of soul, pop, disco, and dancefloor magic. Born in Montreal in 1948 to a black American jazz musician father and a Québécoise mother, Perpall’s mixed heritage and early exposure to rhythm and blues shaped a lifelong love for music and movement. From the twist contests of the early ’60s to the disco clubs of the ’80s, and beyond, Pierre has done it all—with style, charisma, and a relentless passion for performance.

Perpall burst onto the music scene in 1965 as the frontman of Les Beethovens, one of Quebec’s first R&B bands, discovered by producer Denis Pantis. After the group’s breakup, he launched a solo career that quickly made waves with his 1966 single “Stop il faut arrêter” and electrifying television appearances, earning him a reputation as Quebec’s James Brown. In 1967, he was awarded Best Rhythm and Blues Singer in Quebec and was hailed as one of the province’s most exciting young performers.

But Pierre was just getting started.

In the 1970s and ’80s, he reinvented himself as a disco and funk innovator, producing and performing under a variety of names including Perpall, Purple Flash, Us, and Pluton & The Humanoids. Tracks like “Them Changes,” “We Can Make It,” and “World Invaders” became cult classics, cementing his status as a pioneer of Quebec’s dance music scene. With a voice that adapts effortlessly from soulful ballads to high-energy grooves, and a stage presence that commands attention, Pierre has performed across Canada and in hotspots like Las Vegas, Miami, and Los Angeles, often sharing the stage with legends like Celine Dion, B.B. King, The Commodores, Joe Dassin, and Bonnie Pointer.

Perpall’s discography is massive and diverse, with over 17 albums released between 1965 and 2022, including standout projects like Danser (1978), Secret Love (2008), Soul (2013), and Together We Can (2021). He’s also collaborated with artists like Nancy Martinez and released music through his own Permont Records label, staying active and relevant well into the 21st century.

Beyond the studio and stage, Pierre has acted in films, produced shows, and composed music for charitable causes, including writing the theme for the 1981 Patinthon roller-skate fundraiser, where he also received a Gold Medal for his contributions. Throughout his career, he’s been recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including Canadian Disco Awards, Dance Music Awards, and Cabaret Artist of the Year honors.

Known for his perfectionism, work ethic, and love for entertaining, Pierre Perpall is more than just a performer—he’s a lifelong artist, a trailblazer, and a beloved figure in Canadian music history. His journey from Montreal’s R&B clubs to global dance floors is a testament to his talent, versatility, and enduring appeal.

To this day, Pierre remains dedicated to his craft, creating new music, performing live, and connecting with fans old and new. With unmatched charisma, a deep catalog of timeless music, and a voice that transcends genres, Pierre Perpall continues to embody the spirit of the entertainer—a true original who lives to move hearts, bodies, and souls.
-Robert Williston

Liner notes
Pierre Perpall already has an impressive career behind him. Over the years, he has become a very complete artist, whose name evokes, among the public, a singer with a unique voice and a flamboyant stage presence, not to say explosive.

A native of Quebec — of Montreal, to be more precise — Pierre Perpall was the first Black artist to be established as a star, thus opening the door to others such as Cédrik Anti, Donald Lautrec, Freddie James, Gregory Charles, Anthony Kavanagh, Norman St-Amandine, etc.

It was first of all as a dancer that Pierre Perpall made himself known. He earned his first trophy during a major Twist competition at the Palais du Commerce, with none other than Chubby Checker serving on the judging panel in 1963.

It is for this reason that in his early days on the programs Jeunesse d’aujourd’hui, he was nicknamed the “singer-dancer-skater,” with his leg movements accompanied by choreographic steps that gave him a unique style. However, if dance fit quite naturally into the movements of his body, his great passion was singing.

On this CD you will find a complete collection of his French hits from 1967 to 1982, in addition to two songs that are dear to him: “Qui a le droit” and “Je reviens te chercher.”

I wish you a good listening and beautiful nostalgia.

Thank you!
Pierre Laberge