Grégory Lemarchal
| Grégory Lemarchal | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Grégory Jean-Paul Lemarchal |
| Born |
13 May 1983 La Tronche, France |
| Died | 30 April 2007 (aged 23) Suresnes, France |
| Genres |
pop-rock, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 2004–2007 |
| Labels | Universal |
Grégory Lemarchal (13 May 1983 – 30 April 2007) was a French singer who rose to fame by winning the fourth series of the reality TV programme Star Academy France, broadcast on the TF1 television network.
He died at age of 23 of health complications while waiting in hospital for a lung transplant. A posthumous album, La Voix d'un ange, was released with profits going towards the Association Grégory Lemarchal charity. A compilation Rêves was released in 2009. He has sold more than 2 million albums.
Gregory Lemarchal was born in La Tronche, Isère to Pierre Lemarchal and Laurence Lemarchal who also had a daughter named Leslie Lemarchal . At twenty months of age, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition which affects the lungs, liver, pancreas and intestine.
Growing up near Chambéry, Gregory Lemarchal enjoyed sports such as basketball and football, and even considered becoming involved in sport journalism. Nevertheless, his passion for music and rock n'roll dance was a force he could not resist. His decision was later confirmed when in 1995, at the age of 12, he became the winner of France Rock 'N' Roll, a rock 'n' roll dancing competition.
In 1998, Gregory Lemarchal auditioned for a talent show, Graines de stars, by singing a solo rendition of Daniel Balavoine's "Le Chanteur", as well as performing in a trio with two other contestants singing "Foule sentimentale" by Alain Souchon. This initial attempt failed, but helped to catapult him into fame and turned him into a local celebrity as a result of his brilliant performance in the show.
In May 2003, Gregory Lemarchal was involved in a musical entitled Adam and Eve which was directed by Paul Tordjmann. Sponsored by Sony Music, AB Prod, Radio Scoop and Partouche, the musical theater had ambitious plans to make a provincial tour, before settling at the Le Zénith in Paris. A total of 16 actors and dancers were involved in the production, with Lemarchal taking the lead role as Adam.
In 2004, Gregory Lemarchal gained international recognition after participating in the fourth season of Star Academy France. Through the recommendation of a friend, he was contacted by the show's producers who needed another male contestant for the show. During his participation in the show, he had the opportunity to perform with French singers such as Yannick Noah, Michel Sardou, and Patrick Bruel and Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli. On 22 December 2004, Lemarchal was announced as the winner of the season, beating fellow contestant Lucie Bernardoni with a massive vote of 80% to become the first male winner of the series.
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