Niagara (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Rennes, France |
| Founder | Muriel Laporte (Muriel Moreno), Daniel Chenevez |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Rennes , France |
| Products | Studio albums, compilation albums, singles |
Niagara was a French rock group that gained popularity in France and Canada throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Originating in Rennes, France, the band was founded by singer Muriel Laporte (who later adopted the name Muriel Moreno) alongside keyboardist Daniel Chenevez. Initially, guitarist José Tamarin was part of the lineup but departed prior to their debut album.[2][3]
Their musical style transitioned from new wave and synth-pop towards a more rock-driven sound, frequently likened to the British duo Eurythmics.[1]
Biography
The band's name was inspired by the 1953 movie Niagara. They rose to prominence with their first single in 1985, "Tchiki boum," which entered the French Top 20,[4] followed by the 1986 release "L'Amour à la plage," which climbed into the Top 5.[5] Each of these singles sold close to 200,000 copies within France. Their initial album, Encore un dernier baiser (1986), featured these tracks as well as "Je dois m'en aller" and "Quand la ville dort," both reaching the Top 20 charts.[6]
Their highest-charting album, Quel enfer! (1988), included the track "Soleil d'hiver," which enjoyed significant radio play in Canada and peaked at number 12 on French charts.[7] Other singles such as "Assez !" and "Flammes de l'Enfer" also secured positions within the French Top 50.
The 1990 release Religion showcased a shift toward a heavier rock sound. Singles like "J'ai vu" and "Pendant que les champs brûlent" achieved moderate success in France and parts of central Europe.[8] Despite interest from American record companies, Niagara declined offers that required them to record in English.[2] Their tour supporting this album included notable Canadian venues such as Montreal’s The Spectrum, Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, and a concert in Toronto.[9][10]
Their last studio album, La Vérité (1992), was promoted through an extensive Canadian tour in 1993. This tour featured eight performances across Quebec and New Brunswick as well as an appearance at the Montreal Forum.[11]
After this era, the duo—who were also romantically involved—decided to part ways. Both members then embarked on individual solo careers.[12]
In 2002, a compilation titled Flammes, containing their greatest hits across a double CD and DVD set, reached number one on the French Compilations Chart for three consecutive weeks.[3]
Studio Albums
- 1986 : Encore un dernier baiser
- 1988 : Quel enfer !
- 1990 : Religion
- 1992 : La Vérité
Compilation Albums
- 2002 : Flammes
Singles
- 1985 : "Tchiki boum"
- 1986 : "L'amour à la plage"
- 1986 : "Je dois m'en aller"
- 1987 : "Quand la ville dort"
- 1988 : "Assez !"
- 1988 : "Soleil d'hiver"
- 1989 : "Flammes de l'enfer"
- 1989 : "Baby Louis"
- 1990 : "J'ai vu"
- 1990 : "Pendant que les champs brûlent"
- 1991 : "Psychotrope"
- 1991 : "La vie est peut-être belle"
- 1992 : "La fin des étoiles"
- 1993 : "Un million d'années"
- 1993 : "Le minotaure"
External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedAllmusic - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedduo - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedrfi - ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ "Niagara no average French band; Street-wise rockers have made-for-U.S.A. sound". Montreal Gazette, July 24, 1991.
- ↑ "Sexy, compelling sound brings Niagara fans to feet". Ottawa Citizen, August 1, 1991.
- ↑ "Cracking U.S. market holds little appeal for France's Niagara". Montreal Gazette, July 23, 1993.
- ↑ "Que deviennent les membres du groupe Niagara ?". Télé-Loisirs, March 20, 2016.