Jean Leloup

Jean Leloup, sometimes also known as "John the Wolf", in anglophone context, is a quebecer singer-songwriter. Jean Leloup's colourful personality and unique musical style have made him a star in the francophone rock community. He is also an important part of Quebec's transforming music scene. Born Jean Leclerc on May 14th, 1961 in Sainte-Foy, Quebec, he grew up in Togo and Algeria where he was influenced by traditional African rhythms. He appeared on the Quebec music scene in the 1980s, making waves with his provocative lyrics – in his song "1990", he compares the high-tech actions of Desert Storm to the sexual activities of himself and his girlfriend. His 1990 album L'amour est sans pitié was a hit outside of Quebec, licensed in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Japan. The cornerstone of his career is without a doubt Le dôme which he released after many years of silence. It was then followed by the mini-album Les Fourmis in 1998. La vallée des réputations (2002) also made a big hit and was supposed to be interpreted as the "conclusion" of his character. Leloup is a Québécois hero for his contribution to the local art scene and the development of the musical culture. He is also the recipient of a Félix Award (the Quebec's equivalent of a Grammy Award). Leloup "died" on December 19th, 2003, in Saint-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu. In fact, he did not really die: Jean Leclerc retired his theatrical name "Jean Leloup", organising a theatrical suicide. This was another piece of elaborate fantasy staging, typical of the wild and eccentric artist. In a "posthumous movie", La Mygale Jaune, he officialises the death of his alter-ego by burning the most important symbols of Leloup: his guitar and top hat. In August 2005, he announced his temporary return to the music scene with a collaboration with a band called Porn Flakes. A first single named "Les Corneilles" has been heard on Quebec's radio stations. In the months preceding his return, he switched from his guitar to his fountain pencil and wrote the philosophic novel Noir destin que le mien (Le Tour du monde en complet was the original title, published on October 5th, 2005, at Leméac Editions. His pen name was Massoud Al-Rachid, which is also the name on his novel's main character. Jean Leclerc has said in interviews that he will not use this nickname again.