Shortly after the group Beau Dommage had its day in the Quebec National Assembly, the lyricist and writer Luc Plamondon was feted in the same locale on May 7 at the suggestion of Parti Québécois. The occasion marked the 30th anniversary of the first performance of the Francophone rock opera Starmania, whose success in the French-speaking world remains unparallelled. Starmania was written by Luc Plamondon with music by the late French composer Michel Berger. It opened in Paris in 1979 with a stellar cast that included Quebec artists and SOCAN members Diane Dufresne, Fabienne Thibeault, Nanette Workman and Claude Dubois, and French singers France Gall and Daniel Balavoine.

The many artists attending the touching ceremony in the Quebec Parliament included Starmania’s best-known performer, Claude Dubois, who sang one of the rock opera’s songs a cappella, as well as SOCAN former president (1988-2003) and current board member Gilles Valiquette. An operatic version of Starmania was presented in 2008 by the Opéra de Québec as part of Quebec City’s 400th anniversary celebrations and, in March 2009, by the Opéra de Montréal.

"Luc Plamondon is among the great Quebecers who have contributed to Quebec influence in the world," said opposition leader Pauline Marois. "As a strong defender of the French language, this man has set an example for the entire Quebec nation." Moved to tears, the great lyricist launched a vibrant plea in favour of the use of French, and recalled comments made to him by some of the people he met casually over his 30-year career, including several fans who told him that they were learning French by listening to Starmania song lyrics.