Early Life and First Performances
Birth and Family Background
Céline Dion was born on March 30, 1968, in Charlemagne, Quebec, near Montreal. She was the youngest of 14 children in her family. Her name was inspired by the French singer Hugues Aufray’s song “Celine,” which was released two years before her birth.
First Public Performance
At just five years old, Céline made her first public appearance. She performed Christine Charbonneau’s song “Du fil des aiguilles et du coton” at her brother Michel’s wedding, marking the beginning of her singing career.
The Start of a Musical Journey
Recording Her First Demo
At the age of 12, Céline recorded a demo tape with a song she wrote with her mother. They sent the tape to René Angélil, who was managing the career of popular French singer Ginette Reno. Upon hearing Céline sing, Angélil was so impressed that he signed her immediately, taking full control of her career.
Inspiration and First Album Purchase
The first album Céline ever bought was Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, released in 1972. This purchase marked the beginning of her lifelong passion for music.
Rise to Fame
A Performance for the Pope
When Céline was 16, she performed “Une colombe” for Pope John Paul II at the Montreal Olympic Stadium. This performance, in front of 65,000 people, was a significant milestone in her early career.
Success in the French-Speaking World
By the time Céline was 18, she had already recorded nine French albums and won numerous awards. These early achievements laid the foundation for her eventual global stardom.
International Breakthrough
Winning Eurovision
In 1988, Céline gained international recognition when she won the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. Representing Switzerland, she performed “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi,” a song that was broadcast live across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Japan.
Titanic Success with “My Heart Will Go On”
Céline’s song “My Heart Will Go On” became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with 18 million copies sold worldwide. This theme song for James Cameron’s Titanic is the second best-selling single by a female artist in history. Interestingly, the main theme was inspired by the 1979 song “Flying Dutchman” by the English prog-rock group Jethro Tull.
Continued Success and Collaborations
Recording the Hit
Tommy Mottola, the music executive, claimed that Céline recorded “My Heart Will Go On” in just one take. Remarkably, the demo version she recorded was the one that was released and became a global sensation.
Notable Collaborations
For her 1997 album Let’s Talk About Love, Céline collaborated with several prominent artists, including Barbra Streisand, the Bee Gees, and Luciano Pavarotti. This album became one of the best-selling albums in history, with over 31 million copies sold worldwide.
Challenges and Legal Battles
Lawsuit Victory
In 2000, Céline successfully sued the National Enquirer for publishing a false story about her. The magazine misquoted her, claiming she was pregnant with twins. After winning the case, the magazine issued an apology, retracted the story, and made a donation to the American Cancer Society in her honor.
Controversial Cover Song
In 2008, Total Guitar magazine voted Céline’s rendition of AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” as the world’s worst cover version. Despite this, Céline continued to thrive in her career.
Las Vegas Residency and Global Impact
Las Vegas Success
During the 2000s, Céline became one of the most successful live performers in Las Vegas with her “A New Day…” residency. This show made her the most profitable music act in Las Vegas since Elvis Presley. Between 2011 and 2013, the residency grossed $116.5 million, attracting 726,346 fans.
Awards and Recognition
Céline has won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Billboard named her the “Queen of Adult Contemporary” due to her record number of hits on that radio format.
Honors and Charitable Contributions
Order of Canada
On July 26, 2013, Céline was awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor in the country. This recognition was presented to her by the Governor General of Canada.
Juno Awards and Perfume Line
Céline holds the record for the most nominations at the Canadian Juno Awards, with 66 nominations and 20 wins. In 2003, she launched her perfume line, which has since grossed over $850 million in sales.
Philanthropy
Céline is also known for her charitable contributions. She helped raise $1 million for the victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and donated another $1 million to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Chart Success and Legacy
UK Chart Success
Throughout her career, Céline has topped the UK Albums Chart five times and appeared in the Top 10 on 11 occasions. Collectively, her albums have spent over 513 weeks on the UK chart, equivalent to more than nine years.
Important Dates in Céline Dion’s Life
January 29, 2021: Jeremy Lubbock, a Grammy-winning pianist who worked with Céline, passed away at 89.
June 5, 2019: Forbes announced that Rihanna had surpassed Céline Dion in wealth, making her the richest female musician.
March 8, 2016: Sir George Martin, the legendary music producer who worked with Céline, died at 90.
June 26, 2008: Céline’s cover of AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” was voted the worst cover version by Total Guitar magazine.
January 28, 2008: Forbes listed Madonna as the richest female musician, with Céline ranking third.
August 14, 2005: James Blunt matched Céline’s record of simultaneously topping both the UK singles and album charts for five weeks.
September 19, 2004: Céline extended her Las Vegas show, earning $100 million for the original run.
November 9, 2002: VH1 viewers voted Céline’s “My Heart Will Go On” as the third most romantic song ever.
October 13, 2002: UK rock band Muse took legal action against Céline over the use of the name “Muse” for her Las Vegas show.
August 8, 2002: A UK funeral service reported that “My Heart Will Go On” was among the most popular songs played at funerals.
February 21, 1998: “My Heart Will Go On” reached No.1 on the UK singles chart.
March 23, 1996: Céline’s “Because You Loved Me” topped the US singles chart.
February 4, 1995: “Think Twice” began a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart.
October 12, 1985: Jennifer Rush’s “The Power of Love” topped the UK charts. Céline’s version later became a No.1 hit in 1993.
February 19, 1977: “When I Need You” by Leo Sayer hit No.1 in the UK. Céline later had a hit with the same song.
