1 heure avec... Gilbert Montagné

Bernard Montiel introduces Gilbert Montagnier on RFM, highlighting Montagnier's return with a new album, "L'Amour dans ses mains," after nearly two decades without original material. Montagnier, described as a singer and pianist, a symbol of joy, blends funk, soul, and French songs, appealing to multiple generations. His new album, set to release in a week, promises new tracks driven by his signature energy and positive messages centered on love and life. Montagnier expresses his happiness to be back, explaining that the long gap between albums was not due to a lack of activity—he had been touring extensively—but rather because he didn't feel the urge to create a new album until now. He emphasizes that he prefers to create when he feels inspired, rather than under pressure. The first track from the new album, "Sacerasa," is played. Montagnier shares its origin, explaining that the melody came to him one morning. The song’s title, "Sacerasa," came to him along with the music, and it’s about writing a song for the world to "accrue his violons" and "keep emotion." He notes that this is the first album where he has contributed significantly to the lyrics, co-authoring with Didier Barbelivien and Claude Lemel. He describes the album as diverse and features a song about his 20th arrondissement, Rue des Pyrénées, where he was born and lived for 20 years, evoking strong emotions during a recent visit. Montiel then asks Montagnier about his visual impairment. Montagnier clarifies that he is "non-voyant" or "aveugle" (blind) from birth. He explains that he was born prematurely at five and a half months, weighing only 900-950 grams, and was given an excessive amount of oxygen, which burned his optic nerve. He expresses gratitude, however, as this circumstance allowed him to live a "fantastic life." Montiel praises Montagnier's "joy of living" and infectious personality. Another track, "Ne Crains Rien," is discussed, with Montagnier revealing it as one of his favorite songs on the album, for which he wrote all the lyrics. He imbued it with a "soul" perfume and plans to perform it at the Dôme de Paris on February 14, 2027. The conversation then turns to the theme of living in the present, with Montagnier advocating for living "Vivre Maintenant" without waiting, always striving for the best. Montagnier also talks about "Comme un artiste," another track he largely wrote, which Claude Lemel helped magnify. He describes the artist's life as a mix of joy and sadness, though he personally rarely experiences sadness. He reiterates his belief that "there's always love to give." The show features a classic Gilbert Montagnier song, "On va s'aimer," which, though not from the new album, resonates deeply with listeners. Montagnier reflects on his career longevity and the public's enduring support, expressing profound recognition and honor. He particularly loves performing live with his long-time musicians, feeling the energy of the crowd. Montagnier then discusses "Je veux chanter," a song he wrote at age 10, expressing his early desire to sing and become an artist. He recounts how, at 20, his first performance at Olympia felt like a dream come true. He shares an anecdote about living in Florida and almost missing a flight to meet Salvatore Adamo, who wanted to produce him. Despite his initial preference for the music scene abroad, he stayed in France. He also mentions playing foosball with Quincy Jones at Eddie Barclay's home. A blind test segment begins with Jose Feliciano's "Light My Fire." Montagnier immediately recognized Feliciano as a non-sighted artist, noting a unique sensibility shared by blind musicians like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, whom he deeply admires. He credits Ray Charles with opening doors for him, particularly at the school for the blind where he learned Braille. Montagnier's manager, Nicole, is praised for her extraordinary support. He also mentions being a great-grandfather to seven children. Another blind test song is Johnny Hallyday's "Rock 'n' Roll Attitude." Montagnier praises Hallyday as one of France's best vocalists and a remarkable showman, always impeccable and extraordinary in his interactions. The segment concludes with Ray Charles's "Georgia on My Mind," which Montagnier introduces by describing its rich instrumentation. Montagnier discusses "Allô, c'est moi," a song inspired by Nicole, his wife, and the idea of someone speaking to their beloved from beyond. He explains that he had to redo the studio recording because he was too moved to sing it properly the first time. The song also reflects his connection with the public, emphasizing that artists are always in the public eye and should embrace it. The show concludes with a remix of "Sous les sunlights des tropiques" by Dorian and César, members of the group Ofenbach. Montagnier expresses confidence that the remix will be a hit in clubs. Another older song, "J'ai le blues de toi," from his 1984 album "Liberté," is played. Montagnier finds it touching that people still recognize and sing his older songs. He expresses gratitude for the interview and looks forward to his concert at the Dôme de Paris in 2027.