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MICHEL LAVERDIÈRE
Michel Laverdière lives in Montreal. He published his first French novel in 1968 and two books of poetry in 1969 and 1974.
He worked as a graphic designer for most of the 70s and then turned to journalism, song-writing and record production in the 80s. He founded the ATMA classical label in 1989 and produced over 150 titles including the famous Classiks on Toys series (Sony Canada and Time-Warner USA) and a new recording on Philips Classics of THE FAMILY WAY film soundtrack composed by Paul McCartney in 1967 and featuring Hayley Mills, John Mills and Hywell Bennett. He met Sir Paul in 1995 and conducted an important interview with him, Sir George Martin and Elvis Costello for the television film "Paul McCartney's Musical Ways". At Paul's personal request, he also produced "Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool" which offers chamber transcriptions of the Liverpool Oratorio, A Leaf, Love In The Open Air and Distractions by the Flûte Enchantée Quartet, on the ATMA label.
In 1998, Michel Laverdière has produced a recording with some of Marc Bolan's early Tyrannosaurus Rex songs in baroque style: BELTANE - A Musical Fantasy with Catherine Lambert and The Lore Liege Ensemble, arranged by Robert Lafond. Producer Tony Visconti (T.Rex, David Bowie) has said about this recording: "The CD is superb. Marc would've loved it, I can assure you. I think the concept, the arranging and the performance from all the artists are beyond what anyone imagined. Robert Lafond is a master. Catherine Lambert has the most beautiful and haunting voice for this project. You have done the greatest service possible to the memory of Marc Bolan. This is a masterpiece."
In May 1999, Michel Laverdière sold his shares in ATMA to his partner Johanne Goyette and founded XXI-21 Productions Inc.
In July 2007, he is asked to join the team of Productions Octave and becomes Artistic Director for Octave Musique to supervise its recording activities.
He is also the author of MARC BOLAN - THE BOPPING ELF.
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