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Pop culture actor of the 80s, 90s and 2000s, Bernard Minet, 71 years old on December 28, 2024, returns to his first love by adapting his greatest hits in a rock-metal version. An artistic shift that he has just explained to us in an exclusive interview, during which the drummer of Les Muslés reveals to us what his boss at heart, a certain Dorothée, thinks of it.
Bernard Minet covers his rock-metal hits
PurePeople: What is this sudden passion for rock-metal and this desire to adapt all your hits with saturated electric guitars?
Bernard Minet : I’ve always been rock, actually! My first group, at fifteen, was called McPie and played heavy rock! I couldn’t continue because my parents wanted me to study. So I kept percussion at the conservatory, I fell under the spell of the variety shows of , which led me to make a lot of recordings for various artists, even pubs. And my career was launched, but more in variety than in rock…
PP: You didn’t try to offer heavy-metal evenings to Guy Lux?
BM : Oh no (laughing)… I had become a variety drummer. It was at that time, in the 80s, that I started accompanying mademoiselle. I happened to do rock parodies with Les Musclées (a group that accompanied Dorothée in all her shows and albums, Editor’s note), but it was more for fun. We resumed SatisfactionFor example. A metal parody where we were very well disguised.
PP: You have long surfed on the nostalgia of fans of Dorothée Club and Wednesday afternoon shows on TF1…
BM : Not so much, I think. In the 2000s, while the Dorothée Club had closed its doors (last show broadcast in August 1997), I was caught up in a completely different generation. With my nightclub galas, it was what we called “the golden youth” that I had to deal with. I found myself at parties where the kids were 20-21 years old… Nostalgia hits you at our ages, around 50… There, it was almost teenagers who discovered my music and validated it. They were having a blast on these credits. They were poking about A crazy crazy crazy college…It was terrible!
Bernard Minet: “We were supposed to go on tour in 2020, but Covid canceled everything“
PP: Is that when rock-metal covers imposed themselves on you?
BM : Around 2005, yes. I haven’t changed the way I sing. On the other hand, we replaced the synths with guitars and more rock sounds. A record company even approached me in 2020 after a concert given at Loco (famous Parisian club, Editor’s note). We were supposed to go on tour on March 13, 2020… Do you see the rest coming?
PP : COVID ?
BM : So ! Confinement for everyone… Tour canceled… But I didn’t give up and here I am on the road with this show which is very popular with metalheads and other fans who have never really forgotten me…
PP: Going from synth variety to good hard rock, much more trendy at the moment, is that a way like any other to renew your fans?
BM : They are constantly renewing themselves thanks to the Internet, you know. The 40-45 year old guy is proud to show his children what he was watching on TV. And, luckily, they like it! There are plenty of children today who like Goldorak or The Knights of the Zodiac…
“I do a few galas with Eric”
PP: And the profession in all this? Has everyone validated this rock turn?
BM : They love it!
PP: Would Eric des Muslés be ready to go on stage with you to do his famous yodel in metal mode?
BM : We do a few galas and a few conventions together…
PP: Is he surprised by your rock success?
BM : He is without really being… He knows what I am capable of and he is happy for me (laughing). An organizer asked that he come to do his famous “ lalala-itou »but it’s too rock, so it’s the bassist from my current band who does them, and it’s very good that way.
Bernard Minet: “Dorothée sent me a message of love“
PP: And Dorothée? Would she be able to join you on stage for a rock jam?
BM : Oh no… But she always congratulates me for everything I do. She always sends me nice messages. And she follows everything I do from afar… She sent me another message of love a few days ago after my visit to .
PP: You will be present alongside him on TF1 in the special Thank you Dorothée (the broadcast date of which is not yet known, Editor’s note)?
BM : Obviously ! This is a very nice bonus. It’ll be nice. There is a good atmosphere.
PP: Will you sing there in metal mode?
BM : Oh no… I offered to sing my latest single (The Biouman parody which he has just revived in rock, Editor’s note), but the production of the show quickly made me understand that it was a bad idea. You know… When it’s not an idea from (the famous A of AB Productions, Editor’s note), there’s no point in proposing something… (laughs)
PP: So, it’s us who broadcast it.
BM : That’s exactly it… Enjoy friends, and see you soon on the roads!
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