An interesting interview with Ree-Ree-René

[Céline's Blues]

From 1999, Billboard magazine, 6 questions:

 

LL- What is the challenge in managing Celine's career now?

 

RA- The challenge is to keep her where she is. We made a very big decision

recently, which is to stop working after the end of this year. We don't

have any plans after Dec. 3. Previously, we have said we had to stop, but,

this time, there are no plans to record a new album or to do a concert

tour. It's time to stop for a while. We want to try to have a normal life.

 

LL- What prepared you to handle a career of this magnitude?

 

RA- Well, I've been in this business all of my life. Also, the bigger

Celine's career gets, the easier it gets [managing her]. I worked harder

five years ago, when I had to sell the idea to everyone that she is the

best. We didn't have a team as big as we have now. Today, we're surrounded

by the best people, and we have the full support of Sony throughout the

world. We all try to do what's best for Celine. Ten years ago, when I

didn't have any money, I would get offers, and I would make like I had a

million bucks in my pocket. I'd ask myself, "If I had $1 million , would I

say no or yes to this [offer]?" This is how you know if something is good

or bad for your artist.

 

LL- Did co-managing French-speaking Canadian superstar Rene Simard in the

1970s provide you with the necessary background to handle the early

developments of Celine's career, particularly moving from the French to

English market?

 

RA- With Rene, I got invaluable experience working in the United States. I

lived in Los Angeles for six months. At one point, Rene had a chance to

break through in the U.S., but he couldn't speak English well. I knew what

to do with launching an artist, but I needed the right artist.

 

LL- How did Celine come to speak and perform in English? In the 1980s, that

was pretty daring for a French-speaking Quebecer.

 

RA- In 1985, Celine and I were watching the American Music Awards, and she

told me she saw herself there. At that point, she couldn't say a word in

English but sang English phonetically. I said "If you to do that, you have

to learn how to speak English." The deal was that, if she could do an

English interview, I'd get her a [major] record deal. For two months, she

was at the Berlitz School [studying English]. I didn't know what was

happening, because she was too shy to speak to me in English. Then she

tells me she can do the interview. We booked the interview, and she made me

cry because we didn't have to [edit] anything. She could speak English.

Imagine the pressure I then had. I had to get her a deal. I went to CBS

because Michael Jackson was with CBS.

 

LL- Uniquely, Celine has two distinct music career - French and English.

How do you balance the two?

 

RA- It's a different way of marketing, promoting, touring, everything.

usually, an international artist has one show when they tour. We have two

different show, which takes a toll on Celine, on me and on our people. In

Toronto, she speaks English, but, in Montreal, she speaks only French. When

we go to Switzerland, in Geneva it's a French show and in Zurich it's the

English show. [singing in two languages is] why she's so big all over the

world. Everybody thinks Celine is their artist. They feel close to her.

They love the songs, and they love her as a person.

 

LL- Why has it been important for Celine to retain such a strong presence

in the French market?

 

RA- It's a question of our roots. We're French. Celine's earliest fans are

from Quebec.

[CSCfan]

Thank you..

[I Surrender]

Cool. Thanks

[Esty]

LL- Uniquely, Celine has two distinct music career - French and English.

How do you balance the two?

 

RA- It's a different way of marketing, promoting, touring, everything.

usually, an international artist has one show when they tour. We have two

different show, which takes a toll on Celine, on me and on our people. In

Toronto, she speaks English, but, in Montreal, she speaks only French. When

we go to Switzerland, in Geneva it's a French show and in Zurich it's the

English show. [singing in two languages is] why she's so big all over the

world. Everybody thinks Celine is their artist. They feel close to her.

They love the songs, and they love her as a person.

 

LL- Why has it been important for Celine to retain such a strong presence

in the French market?

 

RA- It's a question of our roots. We're French. Celine's earliest fans are

from Quebec.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Thank you! I especially like this part. It's true!

[Koolan]

Thanks for this article. Celine is endearing to her fans

 

r u gonna change id to Celine's Blues?

[Ania4]

Thanks for the interview.

 

Rene and Celine are a really good team!

[SFchick]

Thanks

[lauracd]

Thank you for the interview!

[Céline's Blues]

r u gonna change id to Celine's Blues?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Naah, maybe some beautiful day? I am used to siur and it has the best meaning ever!

[CSCfan]

Yeah, besides..his Blues days are over..it would either be Celine Jazz or Monsiur Jazz..

[Ronny83]

I am used to siur and it has the best meaning ever!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, indeed.

[Celinesongs]

Thanks. I've never read this specific interview before.