Happy too was Jean Louis Rougier, the emblematic author, composer, and performer of the group Chinaski, who sported a wide smile.
His eyes twinkling with happiness, at ease, his voice confident and steady, he lived his lyrics in every detail.
Without wasting a minute of precious time, always too short when one loves being on stage above many other things, he announced, “This song is about my adolescence… in this good old town.” Then he moved on to “the supermarket” where, in love with a cashier, he imagined a proper wedding in the sales aisle. “the path of the stretched out,” which would leave everyone who loved him in sadness, “the little bar” where it is so good to drink, located near Place Arson, and then the “damp evenings” during which he introduced the members of his band, ending with a tango titled “tonight.”
For them, it was over, so taking advantage of the last seconds, he emotionally confessed, “It was a great moment.”
For those in the audience who had supported the group for years, the sentiment was the same. The emotion was real as the audience bid them farewell with thunderous applause as they left the stage.
They would return about three hours later, invited by their host. About 4,000 pairs of hands were raised, and screams filled the air as they, hand in hand with the Calis, took several bows. A magnificent sight. The next day they played at the grand cafรฉ des arts and some went back to see them.
Their next performance will be a tribute to Lรฉo Ferrรฉ at the Magnan hall; the date and program will be announced right here.
