Jean Gabilou
Encyclopedia
Jean Gabilou is a Tahitian singer. He also represented France in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest.
, Tahiti
until the age of 13, before moving to Faa'a with his family.
In 1963, a friend, Raoul Robert, asked him to sing a melody at the Matavai Hotel. He then interpreted two waltz
es and a religious song entitled "When The Saints Go Marching In
" in rock version. The same evening he received his first contract for 60 francs an hour.
He first worked with the Vernaudon brothers for two years, then started performing at the Pitate Club with the Hars Brothers for another two years. Laughlin was then approached by Petiot, a guitarist for a group called The Barefoot Boys, which he joined at the age of 23. However in 1968, Laughlin left the group.
In 1971, he sang at the hotel Tahara'a and was noticed by a lady named Paulette Vienot who, during that year, gets Laughlin signed for a contract in Paris with Eddie Barclay
compiling the song "Moi girls". Which did not meet the expected success that was hoped.
In 1979, he moved to the United States
. Two years later, he was contacted to represent France
in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Humanahum
". He finished third with a 125 point deficit behind Germany
's Lena Valaitis
and the United Kingdom's Bucks Fizz
, who won the contest.
In 1983, he celebrated his twenty-year career in Papeete
. In 1985, he married Moeata Sasson, an accomplished dancer for the Tahitian dance troupe "Tamari'i Fautaua. A few years later, Moeata staged her own dance troupe "Tamari'i Poerava", whose dancers then began performing alongside Gabilou.
In 2000, Gabilou decided to produce his own songs together with his friend and singer Andy Tupaia. Along with John Marote Mariassouce, the song "Fakateretere" featured on the album with the same name, was produced. It sold 20,000 copies and continues to be recognised throughout the Pacific as his signature song.
Gabilou continues to perform on stage. In 2001 and 2002 he was invited to Rarotonga
, Cook Islands
where he had also lived previously, to sing in front of 3500 people.
In 2003, he performed at the Oscars of Polynesian music. On the 6th of June 2003, he celebrated his 40th year in the industry with a concert in Pape'ete's To'ata Square in front of a full crowd, with guest Tahitian performers such as Yvon Arai, Esther Tefana, Rataro, Coco Mamatui, Andy Tupaia, Kitty Salmon, Théo Sulpice, his niece and nephew Sabrina and Tapuarii aswel as former Miss Tahiti/Miss France 91 Mareva Georges.
Early life
Born into a family of ten children, he grew up in PapeetePapeete
-Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront esplanade*Bougainville Park -Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront...
, Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
until the age of 13, before moving to Faa'a with his family.
In 1963, a friend, Raoul Robert, asked him to sing a melody at the Matavai Hotel. He then interpreted two waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
es and a religious song entitled "When The Saints Go Marching In
When the Saints Go Marching In
"When the Saints Go Marching In", often referred to as "The Saints", is an American gospel hymn that has taken on certain aspects of folk music. The precise origins of the song are not known. Though it originated as a spiritual, today people are more likely to hear it played by a jazz band...
" in rock version. The same evening he received his first contract for 60 francs an hour.
He first worked with the Vernaudon brothers for two years, then started performing at the Pitate Club with the Hars Brothers for another two years. Laughlin was then approached by Petiot, a guitarist for a group called The Barefoot Boys, which he joined at the age of 23. However in 1968, Laughlin left the group.
Career
Following his departure from the Barefoot Boys, Laughlin founded the Banjo Boys, a group formed with his friends Kitty Salmon, Jacky Bougues, Marius Charles and Michael Garcia. Their song "Little Sacred Island" was released in 1968 and sold 54,000 copies.In 1971, he sang at the hotel Tahara'a and was noticed by a lady named Paulette Vienot who, during that year, gets Laughlin signed for a contract in Paris with Eddie Barclay
Eddie Barclay
Eddie Barclay was a French music producer whose singers included Jacques Brel and Charles Aznavour. He founded Barclay Records.-Life:...
compiling the song "Moi girls". Which did not meet the expected success that was hoped.
In 1979, he moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Two years later, he was contacted to represent France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Humanahum
Humanahum
Humanahum was the French entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, performed in French by the Tahitian singer Jean Gabilou. Gabilou was the first singer from a French overseas territory to represent France at Eurovision...
". He finished third with a 125 point deficit behind Germany
Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest
Germany has participated in every Eurovision Song Contest since its beginning in 1956, although its entry in 1996 did not qualify past the pre‐selection round, and therefore was not seen in the broadcast final. No other country has been represented as often. France and the United Kingdom come in a...
's Lena Valaitis
Lena Valaitis
Lena Valaitis is a Lithuanian-German Schlager singer. She had her greatest success during the 1970s and 1980s and competed in three Eurovision Song Contests.- Personal life:...
and the United Kingdom's Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
, who won the contest.
In 1983, he celebrated his twenty-year career in Papeete
Papeete
-Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront esplanade*Bougainville Park -Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront...
. In 1985, he married Moeata Sasson, an accomplished dancer for the Tahitian dance troupe "Tamari'i Fautaua. A few years later, Moeata staged her own dance troupe "Tamari'i Poerava", whose dancers then began performing alongside Gabilou.
Later life
In 1993, he returned on stage with "Hei No". However in 1995, feeling ill, Gabilou went to a medical clinic in Papeete where he was diagnosed with having paralyzed vocal chords. Despite the bad news, he fought to regain his voice and left for France where he met speech therapist Dr Veil. After attending numerous rehabilitation sessions he regained his voice and released the album "Rohipehe"In 2000, Gabilou decided to produce his own songs together with his friend and singer Andy Tupaia. Along with John Marote Mariassouce, the song "Fakateretere" featured on the album with the same name, was produced. It sold 20,000 copies and continues to be recognised throughout the Pacific as his signature song.
Gabilou continues to perform on stage. In 2001 and 2002 he was invited to Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
, Cook Islands
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
where he had also lived previously, to sing in front of 3500 people.
In 2003, he performed at the Oscars of Polynesian music. On the 6th of June 2003, he celebrated his 40th year in the industry with a concert in Pape'ete's To'ata Square in front of a full crowd, with guest Tahitian performers such as Yvon Arai, Esther Tefana, Rataro, Coco Mamatui, Andy Tupaia, Kitty Salmon, Théo Sulpice, his niece and nephew Sabrina and Tapuarii aswel as former Miss Tahiti/Miss France 91 Mareva Georges.
Discography
- 2007 - Le Fafaru
- 2006 - Avini Ute
- 2005 - Homai-Heiatea
- 2004- Keanu
- 2003 - Poerava
- 2001 - Fakateretere
- 1999 - Barefoot, en souvenir de Joe Garbutt
- 1997 - Rohipehe
- 1996 - Na oe Vairea
- 1994 - Mama Ella
- 1992 - Hei No Tamatoa
- 1990 - Nohoarii
- 1989 - Hianau
- 1988 - Esther et Gabilou, leurs plus grands succès